AOPA has asked the California Energy Commission to suspend planned construction on the first of two energy plants slated to be built less than two miles from Hayward Executive Airport and to evaluate the combined impact of the two plants on aviation in the region.

In a June 30 letter, AOPA told the commission that smoke and vapor plumes from the proposed power plant could pose a hazard to aircraft using Hayward Executive. The association also asked the commission to suspend all future construction on the plant and to conduct an evaluation of the combined impact of the two proposed power plants.

AOPA’s letter came after the developer of the first plant requested a two-year delay on the start of construction, originally set to begin in September. But this is not the first time California officials have heard from AOPA on this topic. The association first objected to the proposed plants in July 2007 and again in December 2007 because of the potential threat to aviation safety.