On September 6, 2020 the
U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) took the rare action
of issuing an emergency order
under the Federal Power Act
(FPA)
to authorize the maximum
operation of three natural gas
electric generating facilities
on the California Independent
System Operator’s
(CAISO’s)
grid, whose maximum output
had been prevented by federal
air quality and other issues.
The emergency order signed by
U.S. Assistant Secretary for
Electricity, Bruce Walker,
responded to an urgent request
by CAISO to allow Units 1–5 at
Walnut Creek Energy Park
in the City of Industry, Units 5/6
and 7/8 at the El Segundo Energy
Center in El Segundo, and Units 1–4
at the Long Beach Generating
Station in Long Beach
to produce electricity at
their maximum capacity,
which could increase the
combined output
from the units
by as much as an
additional 100 MW,
to help the California
grid operator maintain
regional reliability.
CAISO said it directed
all generators in its balancing
authority area to “produce their
maximum capability”—including
allowing some to generate
more than their interconnection
capacity—during certain times
of the day during heat waves.
But the three gas generators,
all which operate as part time
"peakers" (peak load use)
informed CAISO
they could not follow
the directive without
exceeding the
National Ambient
Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS)
or other permit limitations.
These limitations involve
“both permit limitations
under federal law for
nitrogen oxide emissions
and ammonia releases
as well as a limitations
regarding fuel and ammonia
throughput,” CAISO said.
CAISO estimated the
federal air quality and
permit limitations had
“stranded” about 20 MW
to 40 MW at El Segundo Energy
Center; 15 MW to 25 MW
at Walnut Creek Energy Park;
and 36 MW at Long Beach
Generating Station.
The El Segundo units
are located near the
Los Angeles International
Airport and have a total
output of 536 MW.
Walnut Creek Energy Park
is a 500-MW simple cycle
"peaking" facility in
Los Angeles County.
The 252-MW Long
Beach Generation
Station in Long Beach,
is just south
of Los Angeles.