You don’t want a power plant on the outskirts of Hayward? Well, here’s a package of goodies valued at $1.6 million for your troubles–courtesy of Calpine. The San Jose-based power producer announced a partnership Thursday related to the coming Russel City Energy Center near the Hayward Shoreline.
Calpine says the deal includes 26 acres of shoreline “to remain undeveloped in perpetuity.” Also included are contributions for an endowment to manage the conservation easement and a six-year commitment for trailside improvement and maintenance for portions of the Hayward Regional Shoreline.
The controversial natural gas plant gained approval by the state’s air board earlier this year. Two years ago the Environmental Protection Agency pulled the air district permit after it deemed Calpine failed proper outreach to the community. The power plant may break ground later this year and be online as early as 2012, but not without continued opposition in the city, specifically from Chabot College.
The community college has lodged rigorous disagreement to the power plant slated to be built just a mile away off Depot Road. Administrators, teachers and students say the project features old technology that will significantly lower the air quality around the campus and adjacent neighborhoods.
Nevertheless, today’s gifts from Calpine (they have already proposed giving the city $10 million for the construction of a new library) highlights a curious irony–a power company touting the image of a green thumb.
ebcitizen.com 
None of the power generated by the plant will go to the people of Hayward. It is being produced for the residents in the communities across the Bay like San Mateo. We'll get some jobs, yes, for the time being until it's built, but we'll have to live with the pollution forever and for power that is not even going to us. Do your research!
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Oh, please give this “Green” Energy crap a rest Simpson. What have all those windmills up in Altamont produced???? SQUAT! It's the same tired arguments from the anti-capitalist Left; “asthma, children, elderly” The same violin playing sad songs. This plant will benefit the people of Hayward, it will give them their own source of Energy. If “Green” Energy was so damn beneficial then how come no one has come up with their own money to finance it??? We've been hearing these stupid “Green” arguments since Governor Moonbeam 36 years ago, and nothing has happened.
Manuel
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The plan is antiquated. It will poison the air in Hayward increasing asthma fates for children and respiratory failure rates for elders. It prevents the jobs, security and environmental benefits of developing clean energy. The so called gift of land from Calpine is existing wetlands that already can not be developed so there is no additional benefit. Hayward deserves better.
Rob Simpson
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We need to build this plant immediately and tell all the environmental nuts, welfare losers and other opponents to SHUT UP! Of course these jackasses are against the plant, they get subsidized energy while everyone else has to pay the bill.
Manuel
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