Power plant operates without oversight (Lame correction for biased article)

Power plant operates without oversight Planned monitoring station hung up by logistical problems

Nearly five years after the Calpine Metcalf power plant was given the go-ahead and four months after it's been online, there is still no air pollution monitor in place to determine its effects on the already notoriously dirty air in South Valley.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District cites logistical problems for the delay in installing a monitor, but citizens who live nearby say that the delay just benefits the power plant, which is currently emitting an unknown amount of air pollution into South Valley.

The California Energy Commission required Calpine to install two air monitoring devices, one of which has been temporarily installed in Los Paseos park, north of the plant, but only after it was demanded by residential neighbors in the Santa Teresa and Monterey Road area, said resident Issa Ajloni.

The following correction was printed in the 9/25/05 edition:

A Sept. 18 article carrying the headline 'Power plant operates without oversight' contained a series of errors:

Errors? Try lies and blatant misrepresentations.

The Pinnacle incorrectly reported the Calpine Metcalf power plant was emitting an unknown amount of air pollution into South Valley. Calpine constantly monitors emissions from the Metcalf facility and regularly provides that data to Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

OK, you lied. You got caught, no biggie. Going for the Jayson Blair Excellence in Journalism award, Mr. DeBolt?

The Pinnacle incorrectly reported that the California Energy Commission required Calpine to install two air-monitoring devices in the South Valley area. The decision to install the devices was part of a cooperation agreement with the city of San Jose.

OK, you may not report things accurately but it sure makes for a better story, doesn't it?

The Pinnacle incorrectly spelled the name of the director of planning, building and code enforcement department of the city of San Jose. His name is Steven Haase.

No reason not to throw a little sloppiness on top of the lies.

The Pinnacle reported that the project was sold to neighbors on the basis that it would have no plume coming from the stacks. Calpine maintains the language that was consistently used prior to the project was that the plant would have no "significant plume," and that neighbors were repeatedly told this during meetings held every two months during the construction phase of the project.

Nice job finding an uninformed/misinformed neighbor to fill out your story-line.

The Pinnacle incorrectly implied - by saying monitors would be placed "south of the plant," where pollutants are blown by prevailing winds - that the South Valley's poor air quality is the result of the Calpine plant. The causes of the region's poor air quality are manifold, most notably automoblie exhaust.

Objection, Your Honor. Assumes facts not in evidence. Just how 'bad' is the air quality here and how has it changed over the years.

The Pinnacle regrets the errors.

Regrets the errors?? The Pinnacle should regret Mr. DeBolt's employment.

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