CARLSBAD — Operators of a proposed power plant held an open house to inform the public about the latest plans. The new power facility will be located on the property of the existing facility along Carlsbad Boulevard.

Officials with NRG West, the company that runs both the current plant and the proposed plant, were on hand to answer questions Aug. 28 at the new Sheraton Hotel off Cannon Road.

About 50 residents came and went during the two-hour open house, viewing the displays and discussing plans for the two new power-generating units proposed to be built on the northeast corner of the Encina Power Station.

Displays provided information on the recent changes to the proposed Carlsbad Energy Center, such as the smokestack height increase, environmental impacts to marine life, intake and output plans for the water and plans to desalinate sea water for the fresh water needed for the air-cooled plant. In addition, plans call for the demolition of fuel tanks on the existing property.

Plans for the plant are on a fast track with hopes for construction to begin later this year. If approved, the plant should be up and running by 2011.

According to Tim Hemig, project manager for NRG West, the new plant will eventually replace the existing one and use “advanced state-of-the-art technology,“ which will result in 30 percent less emissions than the current power plant.