Power Up, Chula Vista

Hugo Salazar is positive that all hell would break loose if a new power plant were proposed for a wealthy area such as La Jolla or Rancho Bernardo. Salazar, spokesperson for the Stop the MMC Power Plant, says new power plants are sited near poor people living in lower-class areas; particularly, the area around Albany Street in southwestern Chula Vista.

Salazar and his group of local environmental activists oppose the Chula Vista City Council’s decision to support bringing a new, larger power plant to Southwestern Chula Vista and are especially bothered by the city council’s refusal to debate the issue publicly.

The MMC “peaker” power plant would operate in the peak hours of the day. The output of the new plant would be more than double the output of the current plant, going from 44.5 megawatts to 100. The new plant would be built near the current power plant.

In addition to increased output, the proposed “peaker” plant would get closer to nearby residences and schools. The new power plant would be 350 feet away from the closest resident and 1200 feet away from Otay Elementary School, far less than what Chula Vista’s current planning policy permits.

Salazar thinks the city council’s decision is a “slap in the face” to the community, and instead of bringing energy to the community, it has energized the citizens to unite.

He vows that any member of the council in support of the plant will be voted out of office.

The Stop the MMC Power Plant group met at the August 12 city council meeting (6:00 p.m.) in order to protest.

The activists are in the process of powering up a website.