Anne C. Mulkern, E&E reporter

The California Energy Commission yesterday approved construction of a hybrid power plant in Los Angeles County.

The 570-megawatt plant, which will be built about 60 miles north of the city of Los Angeles, will create energy with a combination of natural gas and solar thermal.

During daylight hours solar equipment will provide about 10 percent of the peak power generated, the commission said in a statement. The solar field will provide heat directly to the heat-recovery steam generators to produce steam, reducing the natural gas used at the facility, the statement said.

"The project will provide reliable and consistent power," said Commissioner Karen Douglas, presiding member for the committee reviewing the Palmdale Hybrid Power Project.

Douglas' decision, which the commission unanimously adopted, said that the project as mitigated would not significantly affect the environment. It complies with applicable laws, ordinances, regulations and standards, her ruling said.

Douglas determined that the record on the plant contained enough information that a decision could be made. There were earlier hearings with evidence submitted.

Proposed by the city of Palmdale, the plant would be located on a 333-acre industrial site located in the northern portion of the city. The site is part of a 613.4-acre, city-owned parcel. The property is located northwest of the Los Angeles/Palmdale Regional Airport and U.S. Air Force Plant 42.

The city of Palmdale plans to start construction after securing a developer and a power purchase agreement for the project, the Energy Commission statement said.