[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1619]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF CALPINE CORPORATION

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 15, 2010

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Calpine Corporation on the 50th Anniversary of their commercial 
operations at The Geysers in Lake County, California.
  Calpine Corporation owns and operates the world's largest renewable 
geothermal power facility at The Geysers. The company's 15 geothermal 
power plants there are capable of generating up to 725 megawatts of 
baseload renewable, green energy around the clock.
  Calpine is expanding its production at The Geysers through wastewater 
discharge projects in which clean, reclaimed wastewater from local 
municipalities is recycled into the geothermal fields where it is 
converted to steam for electricity production. This provides an 
environmentally-sound wastewater discharge solution for the neighboring 
cities and increases the long-term productivity of The Geysers.
  In addition to The Geysers, Calpine operates natural gas fueled power 
plants in 21 states and Canada. Its 93 power plants have nearly 29,000 
megawatts of generating capacity. It is the nation's largest operator 
of combined-cycle and cogeneration plants.
  In April 2010, the California Department of Conservation recognized 
Calpine for its ongoing commitment to safety and the environment for 
its facilities at The Geysers.
  At The Geysers, Calpine owns and operates the Cartwright Geothermal 
Visitors Center, a 6,500 square foot learning center that is open to 
the public. More than 60,000 visitors from all 50 states and 77 
countries have visited the center. Calpine regularly hosts open houses 
for the community and guided tours of its plants there.
  The 330 full-time Calpine employees at The Geysers volunteer in the 
community and each year host a popular Earth Day event and contribute 
to the Blood Bank of the Redwoods and United Way. Calpine helps 
underwrite local paramedic services, community pools, sports fields and 
recreation areas.
  Madam Speaker, Calpine Corporation is an industry leader and one of 
the leading community partners in my district. It is therefore 
appropriate that we honor them today on the 50th Anniversary of their 
operations at The Geysers.

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