More on FPUD's deal with Orange Grove Energy

California’s Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission issued a notice of hearing concerning SDG&E’s Orange Grove Energy power plant. This small power plant exemption (07-SPPE-2) was cancelled and their new Docket Number is 08-AFC-4.

The Energy Commission’s project manager (Felicia Miller) recently informed me that Rainbow Water refused to provide Orange Grove Energy with any water. Therefore, FPUD will truck into Orange Grove Energy’s plant 6.9 million gallons of potable water/year and another 3.9 million gallons of reclaimed water/year, which reclaimed water will be used only for plant process cooling/control.

At FPUD’s June 30 meeting, agenda item F states: “Agreement with Orange Grove Energy for Potable Water – Authorize the General Manager to execute a Potable Water Agreement with Orange Grove Energy with non-substantive changes, and the Potable Water Option Agreement with Orange Grove Energy LP.”

Nothing in this agenda item mentions reclaimed water; it is worded deceitfully. FPUD cannot send Orange Grove Energy only reclaimed water or only potable water without unlawfully violating the energy commission’s requirements. Reclaimed water smells badly and, by law, must be labeled “Contaminated, do not drink.”

At FPUD’s June 30 meeting, Nancy Howland stated, “We are being deceived, Fallbrook taxpayers.” Listening only to GM Lewinger’s fairytales is very naïve. Please do some research, Ms. Dakovich, and please improve on your observation and compassion skills. Lewinger’s and Hayden’s loud vocal criticisms and silent disrespectful laughter at the June 30 FPUD meeting was very insulting to Nancy Howland and made me feel very ashamed of their conduct.

Archie McPhee