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SECTION 6.0:ALTERNATIVES 6.1 Project Objectives The key objective of the LEC is to provide cost-effective and efficient electric generation capacity to NCPA member utilities and the other project participants in the California market. The project site is on the southeast portion of a 1,040-acre parcel annexed by the City of Lodi. The proposed project includes the grading of the existing area and construction of the new facility. As part of this effort,the Applicant has identified the General Electric (GE) Energy Frame 7FA CTG as one of the most efficient generation technologies currently available. The GE 7FA CTG has rapid-response and load-following capability to make it excellent technology to provide electric generation capacity. The LEC will provide needed electric generation capacity to respond to the demand for electricity by NCPA project participants. The LEC would help to meet identified generation needs. Of equal or greater importance is the LEC's ability to produce electricity more efficiently than other currently generating out-dated power plants,thereby furthering the statewide goals of limiting the environmental effects of power generation. In addition to technology alternatives, an objective of the site selection was to minimize or eliminate the length of any project linears,including water supply lines, discharge lines,and transmission interconnections. This objective both minimizes potential offsite environmental impacts and cost of construction. To respond to the need for electric generation capacity for NCPA project participants, NCPA considered several key factors for power plant siting: • Located within a NCPA project participant's jurisdiction • Adjacent to or near high-pressure natural gas transmission lines • Adjacent to or near water supply for cooling purposes to maximize efficiency • Location near electrical transmission facilities • Industrial land use designation with consistent zoning • Site control readily available • Large enough to accommodate the site including construction laydown • Located more than 2,500 feet from the nearest residential area • Potential environmental impacts can be mitigated and minimized The LEC site meets all of these siting objectives. The LEC will provide electric generation capacity to the grid to help meet the demand for electricity for project participants by enhancing the reliability of NCPA's electrical system. In addition, as demonstrated by the analyses contained in this AFC,the project would not result in any significant environmental impacts. Therefore,as will be demonstrated below, there are no alternatives that would be preferred over the project as proposed. 6.2 The "No Project" Alternative If the Applicant were to not build the LEC (the"no project" alternative),it would not be possible to meet the project objectives. The"no project" alternative would forego all of the benefits associated with the LEC project. In addition, if the"no project" alternative was adopted,NCPA would fail to meet its obligations to the participants that are part of its 6-2 SAC/371322/082330003(LEC_6.0_ALTERNATIVES.DOC)