Pacific Gas and Electric Company broke ground last week on Wilbur Avenue for the state's first new power generating station in 20 years.

Antioch City Councilman Arne Simonsen welcomed PG&E to East County, saying he looked forward to a long-term, prosperous relationship with "our new neighbors … welcome back."

The 530-megawatt plant fueled by natural gas, called the Gateway Generating Station, will use the latest in fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies. It will employ approximately 400 workers during construction, and about 25

full-time workers when it opens in December of 2009.

The new station will provide enough electricity for 400,000 Northern and Central California customers, and will use 97 percent less water and produce 96 percent less discharge, through the use of dry cooling technology, according to PG&E.

"The new Gateway Generating Station reflects PG&E's unwavering commitment to meeting California's future energy needs with reliable, clean and cost-effective power," said Fong Wan, PG&E vice president of energy procurement.

The groundbreaking ceremony was also attended by County Supervisor Federal Glover and Oakley Mayor Kevin Romick.