Developers of an electricity generating project in Desert Hot Springs announced Monday that they would move ahead with a plan that could create 350 construction jobs.

Developers of the CPV Sentinel project — a planned 800-megawatt natural gas/electric-generating effort — said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation that has cleared one of the final roadblocks to the project.

After construction, project leaders expect a $50 million payroll and 14 permanent jobs.

The power project will supply electricity at times of peak summer demand to complement renewable energy projects and helps protect the Los Angeles region against blackouts.

Kate McGinty