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September 22, 2008 Page 3 • The warehouse facilities. • The gas metering station for the existing plant would be relocated to accommodate the proposed LEC plant and would be shared by both facilities. • Note: The commercial cooling tower for the existing plant would be relocated to accommodate the proposed LEC plant, but would not be shared by both facilities. If approved, construction of the project would begin in the first quarter of 2010 and would last for 24 months. Pre-operational testing of the power plant would begin in the fourth quarter with full-scale commercial operation commencing by first quarter 2012. Energy Commission's Facility Certification Process The Energy Commission is responsible for reviewing and ultimately approving or denying applications for all thermal electric power plants, 50 MW and greater, proposed for construction in California. The Energy Commission's facility certification process carefully examines public health and safety, environmental impacts and engineering aspects of proposed power plants and all related facilities such as electric transmission lines and natural gas and water pipelines. The Energy Commission is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), but through its certified regulatory program, produces several environmental and decision documents rather than an Environmental Impact Report. The first step in the review process is for Energy Commission staff to determine whether or not the AFC contains all the information required by our regulations. When the AFC is deemed data adequate, we will begin the data discovery and issue analysis phases. At that time, a detailed examination of the issues will occur. Over the coming months, the Energy Commission will conduct a number of public workshops and hearings to determine whether the proposed project should be approved for construction and operation and under what set of conditions. The workshops will provide the public as well as local, state and federal agencies the opportunity to participate in reviewing the proposed project. The Energy Commission will issue notices for these workshops and hearings at least ten days prior to the meeting. Agency Participation We request that you provide any written comments you may have regarding potential issues of concern by October 10, 2008. Please address your comments to Rod Jones, Project Manager, 1516 9th Street, MS-15, Sacramento, CA 95814, or by email to riones(a�energy.state.ca.us. Your agency may also present its comments and recommendations in person at the Energy Commission's October 22, 2008 Business Meeting. The limited purposes of that meeting will be to determine whether the AFC is data adequate in accordance with our regulations and to assign a committee of two Commissioners to oversee the proceeding.