In an unprecedented victory for public health, the California Energy Commission in Sacramento today voted unanimously to deny the Chula Vista Energy Upgrade project, a proposed expansion of a polluting power plant that would have sacrificed the health of hundreds of families that live and work in nearby Chula Vista neighborhoods.
(Click Here for Union-Tribune Story)

“This is an incredible victory for the community,” said Chula Vista resident Diana Vera. “The Commission listened and acted to protect our health.”

Environmental Health Coalition was an official party to the CEC proceedings and officially opposed the expansion. During the more than two year process, more than a thousand residents and EHC members testified in opposition to the expansion at public hearings and participated in rallies and protests voicing their opposition.

Laura Hunter, Co-Director of EHC’s Clean Bay/ Sustainable Energy Campaign, said the decision respects the efforts of community members who insisted that Chula Vista’s General Plan not allow polluting industries near homes and schools.

“This is a loud and clear signal that we are moving away from producing energy in ways that sacrifice communities,” Hunter said.

A 400-page report issued by the CEC in January showed that the location of the proposed power plant was inconsistent with the Chula Vista General Plan for land use – which prohibits locating industry near homes, schools, or hospitals – and recommended denial of the project. Commissioner James Boyd today reiterated that opinion today, saying that his recommendation had not changed. He said it remained “immensely clear” that the project did not meet land use provisions.

“This is vindication for the work of the General Plan steering committee and their vision for Southwest Chula Vista,” said Chula Vista Councilman Rudy Ramirez. “I’m happy that Commissioner Boyd and the Commission have given us the opportunity to fulfill that vision.”

MMC, a New York-based corporation, was seeking to replace the current 44 megawatt peaker plant on Main St. in Chula Vista with a 100 megawatt plant located just 350 feet from homes and 1300 feet from an elementary school. MMC applied to the California Energy Commission (CEC) for certification in September 2007. The immediate area near the plant is a community where 81% of residents are people of color and 16% are below the federal poverty level.

The commission’s decisions recognized that the approval of the MMC project would not have substantially contributed to the removal of the South Bay Power Plant, an outdated, inefficient, polluting plant that blocks public access to San Diego Bay.

On June 15, the San Diego City Council voted 8-0 to apply for planning funds under the Energy Conservation and Block Grants, a decision advocated for by the San Diego Green Energy/Good Jobs Alliance.

These funds will allow the development of a thoughtful and strategic plan to guide how we spend our limited stimulus funds and will make the process open, inclusive and transparent. The approach to maximize transparency and foster public dialogue is exactly what Congress and the Obama Administration had in mind when passing the stimulus package

The City of San Diego will receive $250,000 to develop an energy efficiency and conservation strategy for the City of San Diego. Councilmember Donna Frye and Mayor Sanders will co-chair a committee to develop this strategy with selected members of the public. (Click Here for the KPBS Radio story)

The strategy will set the City's energy goals and objectives and identify the programs and policies that the City will fund with the $12 million in energy stimulus dollars. All meetings will be noticed and open to members of the public.

We encourage your participation. Please contact us if you want to be notified of upcoming meetings!

The Green Energy and Good Jobs Alliance is a coalition of community, environmental and labor organizations working to create a thriving local green economy that: Reduces greenhouse emissions; improves air quality and protects public health; provides opportunities and benefits to all neighborhoods, and; creates family-supporting union jobs.

Alliance members and organizations supporting the council action include: Environmental Health Coalition, International Brother of Electrical Workers Local 569, Coalition of Neighborhood Councils, AIA-San Diego Chapter, Sierra Club-San Diego Chapter, San Diego CoastKeeper, San Diego Imperial-Counties Labor Council and GRID Alternatives.

Thank you to all of the Councilmembers, allies and community members for your support!