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South Bay Power Plant in Hot Water?
Our leaders have been "looking forward to" the closing of South Bay Power Plant for a very long time. "looking forward", sometimes called "planning", involves providing security, stability, and safety for the community. How are they going to replace the tax revenue the city has been enjoying for so many years? How are they going to replace the good-paying jobs? Who will pull the trash out of the bay when the staff of the power plant is gone? Who will monitor the water conditions? Who will keep the turtles warm? Now, if you would, fact-check the excerpt "The new permit application, if approved, would extend that date and delay dismantling of the plant and any future plans for commercial development of the bay front". The statment is seriously misleading. The permits come in 5-year increments. Dynegy has stated repeatedly that they intend to shut the plant when CAISO says it is not needed. Already, two of the four units are shut. You can't make money with power plant that doesn't produce power, and South Bay has run only a few days all year. Part of the current redevelopment plan is calling for hotel/office towers in the marina area of Chula Vista. The high-density occupation will be far worse for the bay than anyone has let on. Likewise for the football stadium idea. How can proponents of these projects try to have the power plant removed on ecological grounds while they trumpet the allure of glitzy development? The developers are tempting the politicians with short-term rewards of glittering buildings and construction jobs. Construction jobs evaporate like water in Indio. And the towers all look like crap in 20 years. Please do something that will add long-term value to this beautiful place. Get a grip on reality. Build a new, efficient power plant to provide stable power to Chula Vista and environs and to provide a valuable tax base. Build it away from the coast, say off the 125 somewhere, and use air-cooling with recycled water. Put some of the money into the tired, run-down schools in the old part of town (you know, the low-rent side) and show some pride in your town. I look forward to meeting Rudy and hope he's not just another chucklehead skimming money and power off a position of civic responsibility.— July 12, 2010 3:16 p.m.