EnergySource, an independent renewable energy generation company that develops utility scale geothermal power plants,recently announced that retired Vice Adm. Dennis V. McGinn, president of the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), will present the keynote address during the dedication ceremony on May 18 for the first new stand-alone geothermal plant in the Salton Sea area in 20 years.The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the Hudson Ranch I plant in Calipatria, near the Salton Sea. The new plant just began commercial operation and is generating geothermal energy at its designed 49.9 MW capacity in one of the largest and highest temperature geothermal resources in North America – the Salton Sea field, in Imperial County, Calif.
McGinn took the helm at ACORE in 2011. ACORE, a national 501(c)(3) membership non-profit organization, is dedicated to creating a more secure and prosperous America with clean, renewable energy. McGinn is a naval aviator, test pilot and national security strategist and has served as Director of the Air Warfare Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; the Commander of the U.S. Third Fleet; and the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfare Requirements and Programs in the Pentagon.
“EnergySource is pleased to have Admiral McGinn’s participation at our commissioning celebration,” said Dave Watson, president and CEO of EnergySource. “As president of ACORE, he is a strong advocate for innovative government policy, public and private partnerships, and investments that promote clean energy growth and innovation. EnergySource supports his efforts which will help us, and companies like ours, deliver renewable power to utilities in their efforts to procure clean energy and rely less on fossil fuels.”Additional event speakers are to include Michael Picker, senior advisor to Gov. Jerry Brown for renewable energy; Gary Wyatt, County of Imperial; John Pierre Menvielle, Imperial Irrigation District; Dave Watson, president and CEO, EnergySource; Juan Vargas, senator, 40th district; V. Manuel Perez, assemblymember, 80th district.
Media and invited guests will be provided transportation to the plant from El Centro.EnergySource began construction of the $400 million Hudson Ranch I geothermal power plant in May 2010 and created more than 200 jobs during construction. Now in operation, the plant provides 55 full-time jobs in Imperial County. Today the plant is selling all of its energy, capacity and environmental attributes to Salt River Project, a public power utility and water provider serving the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, for a term of 30 years.Hudson Ranch I and a second plant, Hudson Ranch II, will each generate enough power to serve 50,000 homes in the Southwestern region. EnergySource plans to commence drilling for Hudson Ranch II in the third quarter of this year and construction is scheduled for 2013.
Source:Business Wire
