Admin

On Wednesday, October 10, 2012, representatives from the City of Roseville presented their proposed Liquid Management System to residents of the WestPark – Fiddyment Farm Neighborhood Association (WFFNA). Presenting from Roseville Electric was Power Plant Manager Matt Garner and Geologist Saeed Ilani of Ilani Engineering. Also present were Sonny Person, Asst. Electric Utility Director; Derrick Whitehead, Environmental Utilities Director; and Vonette McCauley, Public Relations Manager. The presentation, also available online by the City of Roseville, explained the proposed project to dispose waste water (containing minerals from the cooling process) from the Power Plant by injecting it below ground. The amount of waste water is 13,500 gallons per hour at 12 hour peaks; the plant runs 40% of time at capacity. The project would replace the current expensive disposal process with the much cheaper injection process, saving as much as $1.8 million annually. The presenters showed slides demonstrating how two injection wells, to be located next to the Power Plant in the West Roseville Specific Plan area, would force the waste water three layers below ground. They stated the process was safe and would not cause any contamination to the Aquifer system which is our back-up drinking water supply. They also stressed the safeguards required by the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the California Energy Commission for operation and maintenance of the system. After the slide presentation, residents asked questions which expressed some of the same concerns previously submitted by WFFNA President Sue Hallahan-Cook at the City Council presentation July 18, 2012. Questions asked included the following: Long range effects: Loren Cook expressed his concern over the long range dumping—how millions of gallons of contaminated water and minerals could just endlessly be dumped below the surface, comparing it to a balloon filling—sometime it would reach a maximum capacity. Mr. Ilani indicated that the salt water area three levels below ground is so vast that it would absorb everything with no problem. Fracking: Sue Hallahan-Cook expressed concerns over the injection process known as “fracking” and numerous claims of related earthquakes experienced even after the reported process had been stopped and referred to websites encouraging to ban ‘fracking’ in California. Mr. Ilani responded that while the common use of hydraulic fracturing used mainly for the release and extraction of oil and gas is dangerous, this system would supposedly be at a lower pressure which should not harm the local area. He also responded that the closest fault line is 14 miles away and should not be a problem. Safety Measures: Other concerns were asked about the safety of the injection wells themselves and what safety measures would detect leaks into the Aquifer. Mr. Garner explained that there would be a 24/7 monitoring system on the wells themselves, and continued testing at the injection site to assure proper working of the system. He also explained there would be full inspections and testing of the system integrity every 5 years. Alternatives: In response to a question about other alternatives that were considered, Mr. Garner said about 12 other water disposal plans had been explored and determined not as good as the injection disposal plan. At the conclusion of the presentation, While the presentation was very well done, some residents present still expressed concerns over the project and felt the City might be selecting the cheapest option available, but not necessarily the most environmentally safer option. Some of these concerns were previously expressed by Sue Cook at the City Council presentation on July 18, 2012. The City of Roseville has promised extensive public outreach as the project goes forward. The WFFNA Board encourages you to follow the proposed project, especially since this is right where you live. We have provided a few websites for your review here, but please let us know of any others which help express your thoughts or concerns with your responses to us. Roseville City Agenda of July 18, 2012, Resolution 9.1 Roseville Energy Park Liquid Management system City of Roseville, Liquid Management System Project Information –Q&As Press Tribune: Roseville electric pursues new option for addressing wastewater Aug. 10, 2012 Hydraulic fracturing – Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia....ulic_fracturing Yahoo! News – Unusual Dallas Earthquakes linked to fracking, expert says 2012 Food&waterwatch – Ban Fracking in California June 2012 www.foodandwaterwatch.org/factsheet/ban-fracking-in-california We would like to know if you have any concerns over this project and whether you would like the Board to continue to follow this topic on your behalf and notify you of future meetings. After researching further, please send your thoughts and/or any concerns to Admin@WFFNA.org.

At the July 18, 2012, City Council meeting, representatives of Roseville Electric presented a proposal for the Roseville Energy Park Liquid Management System. The proposal is for Phase 3 of the system which would cover disposal of the wastewater generated from the power plant. As described, Phase 3 would consist of a 12-month process to obtain all the necessary permits and public outreach, to be followed by the actual 6-9 month construction period. The Liquid Management System would replace the current costly method of disposing of the wastewater, saving well over $1 million per year. The proposed new system would consist of two injection wells which would inject the wastewater to a low permeable salt-water level below the Aquifer system. Details of the plan were presented to the Council, and can be seen as represented to the Roseville Public Utilities Committee on June 26, 2012 and a FAQ from Roseville Electric at the City’s website. WFFNA President Sue Hallahan-Cook addressed the Council with concerns over any long range effects of injecting the wastewater into the Aquifer system and any other environmental impacts to the area. The West Roseville area will have 11 injection wells into the Aquifer System which will store drinking water when needed for the City’s residents. Assurances were made that full CEQA studies will be done by both the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and the California Energy Commission. As part of the public outreach, the CEC will participate and meet with neighborhoods to answer questions and concerns about the Liquid Management System. Although one public meeting had already been held at Sun City, Mrs. Cook asked that all neighborhoods and residents, especially those in the West Roseville area adjacent to the power plant, be kept in the public process. WFFNA will keep you informed as we hear further.

Please join the Roseville City School District and the master developers of Westpark and Fiddyment Farm for a ground breaking of the next developer built school in the West Roseville Specific Plan. This unique Public-Private partnership will break ground on the third of five planned elementary schools in the West Plan that will begin serving students from Westpark and Fiddyment Farm in the Fall of 2013. Please feel free to forward this invitation to others who you feel would like to participate in this event. We hope to see you next Wednesday. Please join the Roseville City School District for a Ground Breaking Ceremony of its newest Elementary School located in the Fiddyment Farm community in the West Roseville Specific Plan Date: July 18, 2012 Time: 10:30 AM Location: 4001 Brick Mason Circle Roseville Continental Breakfast and Refreshment following Ceremony Please RSVP to Sandra Lessard (916) 774-3400 or sandra@westparkassociates.com Directions: North on Fiddyment Road (cross Blue Oaks Blvd), then Left on N. Hayden Parkway, then Right on Solstone Way, then Right on Brick Mason Circle Ground Breaking Flyer.pdf