Magnolia Power Project Advanced Compressor Resiliency Upgrade and Advanced Gas Path Resiliency Upgrade Projects
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025120001
Lead Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Magnolia Power Project Advanced Compressor Resiliency Upgrade and Advanced Gas Path Resiliency Upgrade Projects
Document Type
NOD - Notice of Determination
Received
Posted
12/15/2025
Document Description
The Magnolia Power Plant (MPP) is a 323-megawatt, combined-cycle natural gas facility. The MPP was certified by the California Energy Commission (CEC) in March 2003 and began commercial operation in September 2005.
On February 20, 2024, Burbank, as Operating Agent on behalf of the MPP, submitted two grant applications to CEC under the Distributed Energy Backup Assets Program (DEBA) for a proposed Advanced Gas Path Resiliency Upgrade project and a proposed Advanced Compressor Resiliency Upgrade project. The Advanced Compressor Resiliency Upgrade project is designed to enhance output and efficiency by re-engineering compressor components with new aerodynamics, materials, and designs. The Advanced Gas Path Resiliency Upgrade project is designed to enhance existing gas turbines by improving hot gas path components to increase power output, reduce fuel consumption (lower heat rate), and extend maintenance intervals. To facilitate the Projects, SCPPA submitted a Petition to Amend (PTA) the license and conditions of certification for the MPP.
On November 17, 2025, the CEC approved the PTA and provided the grant funding Burbank requested. CEC approved the PTA based pursuant to the CEC’s regulatory program certified by the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency under section Public Resources Code section 21080.5 and California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15251(j). Approval of the PTA was based on a CEC staff assessment and certain CEC findings, including a finding that any environmental impacts of the Projects will be less than significant with the addition of new or amended conditions of certification (COC): (AQ-2b, AQ-11, AQ-22, AQ-23, AQ-25, AQ-27, the addition of new COCs AQ-2c, AQ-9, AQ-11a, AQ-25a, and the deletion of the existing COC AQ-2a). These COCs conform to a new Authority to Construct permit issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) on October 16, 2025.
Pursuant to Section 15096 of the CEQA Guidelines, SCPPA may elect to rely on the Section 1769 assessment from the CEC to support its determinations under CEQA as a Responsible Agency.
Contact Information
Name
Armando Arballo
Agency Name
Southern California Public Power Authority
Job Title
Assistant General Counsel
Contact Types
Responsible Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Burbank
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
110 Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, County of Los Angeles, California
Zip
91502
Notice of Determination
Approving Agency
Southern California Public Power Authority
Approving Agency Role
Responsible Agency
Approved On
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Final Environmental Document Available at
https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/combined-cycle/magnolia-power-project
Determinations
(1) The project will have a significant impact on the environment
No
(2a) An Environmental Impact Report was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(2b) A Mitigated or a Negative Declaration was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(2c) An other document type was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes (CEC Staff Assessment)
(3) Mitigated measures were made a condition of the approval of the project
No
(4) A mitigation reporting or monitoring plan was adopted for this project
No
(5) A Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted for this project
No
(6) Findings were made pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes
Attachments
Notice of Determination
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