Y1 It is assumed that the commenter’s concerns are focused on the Geysers units. The Geysers units can operate only on geothermal steam. They cannot use any other alternate fuels such as natural gas or fuel oil. For the fossil-fueled steam turbines at Pittsburg, Contra Costa, and Potrero, it is foreseen that natural gas prices are likely to remain below comparable fuel oil prices in the future. In addition, Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) rules strictly limit fuel oil use in these units. The Potrero combustion turbines use distillate oil because natural gas use is not currently feasible.

Y2 Because of new technology installed at the Geysers in recent years, stacking problems have largely been eliminated, and are not expected to increase as a result of the project. (Please see response to Comment H54 of the Lake County Air Quality Management District regarding steam stacking events at the Geysers Power Plant.) In addition, while it is true that temperature inversions and cloud conditions can affect the distance that noise travels, these conditions will persist no matter who owns the generating units. In other words, the project examined in this EIR (the sale of PG&E power plants) will have no effect on how often the noise events occur, or on the atmospheric conditions that affect how far the noise will travel.

Y3 This issue is addressed in Section 4.3.2, beginning at the bottom of page 4.3-6 of the DEIR, and is further discussed in the responses to comments H11 and HH1.

Y4 The current reinjection program is discussed in Impact 4.3-2, from page 4.3-12 to 4.3-14, and in Section 5.2.4 starting on page 5-9 of the DEIR.

Y5. Please see response to Comment K1.