When an energy center is in the planning stages, Calpine and permitting agencies communicate with local residents and provide information through open houses, community meetings and public hearings. Each project is carefully designed and constructed to have no significant adverse impact on air quality. In addition, new energy centers can help improve air quality by displacing older, less-competitive plants that have significantly higher emission rates. In the cases where water is discharged from an energy center, it goes through a comprehensive treatment process ensuring that there are no adverse impacts on the environment. In most cases, Calpine prefers to use recycled water in its energy centers.
Energy centers use recycled water in the cooling process.
Recycled water is treated to be safe and free from odor. Presently, recycled water is used for watering landscapes, agriculture and in cooling towers across the country without emitting odors. Calpine designs each project so that it is consistent with the character of the area. The company works closely with community residents, developers and government officials to refine each design so that it best serves the community's interests. Each energy center is built using extensive noise reduction technology and complies with local noise ordinances.