ARCHIVED REPORTS_1993_1 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

III. Environmental Setting, Impacts, and Mitigations C. Community Services and Utilities Other Public Services and Facilities A gas collection system and power plant was installed at Austin Road Landfill in 1986. The gas produced by the landfill is a normal by-product of organic refuse decomposing and is composed of approximately equal portions of methane and carbon dioxide. A series of underground wells currently collect and deliver the gas from the landfill to a powerhouse located at the northwest corner of the landfill. The power plant,developed by Pacific Energy(PEn),produces up to 760 kilowatts per hour of electrical power,which is sold to Pacific Gas and Electric(PG&E)under a long-term agreement. The system has an anticipated life of 15 to 20 years and could serve the energy needs of an estimated 700 to 800 Stockton homes. The powerhouse contains an 1,100 horsepower,gas fired,internal combustion engine which drives an 800 KW induction generator. Approximately 5 percent to 10 percent of the power produced is used internally and the remaining power is fed to a matching transformer which is connected to PG&E's electrical grid (R.W. Beck and Associates, 1992). IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Significance Standard An impact would be considered significant if it exceeded a threshold, service ratio or minimum standard established in CEQA Guidelines,the City of Stockton General Plan,the County of San Joaquin General Plan,or by any of the agencies or codes having jurisdiction over the project area. Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines states that a project"will normally have a significant effect on the environment if it will. . . interfere with emergency response plans or emergency evacuation plans. . . .create a potential public health hazard, . . extend a sewer trunk line with capacity to serve new development. . . .use fuel,water,or energy in a wasteful manner,(or) encourage activities which result in the use of large amounts of fuel,water,or energy." Any increases in demand for public services or utilities created by the proposed project would be considered significant if those increases were to result in a reduction of the level of service currently provided to the project site and the surrounding area. Im .. Impact ClThe proposed project would lead to an increase in truck traffic in the vicinity, A thus increasing the need for Highway and traffic patrol and accident response. (ADVERSE) The proposed project would increase the lifetime of the Austin Road Landfill operation,but daily waste volumes,and consequently refuse truck traffic,would remain essentially the same as under III.C.4