Media Release

Residents Protest MMC Replacement Power Plant

Energy Commission Recommendations Fail to Meet Community Needs

(May 12, 2008) – Chula Vista, CA. Tonight, community members turned out in large numbers to fight against the proposed 100MW power plant known as the Chula Vista Energy Upgrade Project, or the “MMC peaker plant” at a rally held by Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) and Southwest Chula Vista Civic Association at the Otay Recreation Center. MMC, a New York-based publicly traded company, is applying for certification of the plant, which, if approved, would replace a plant currently in the same location. 

Following the rally, at a California Energy Commission (CEC) workshop, CEC staff presented their Preliminary Staff Assessment on MMC’s proposal and solicited feedback on ways to improve the report for the final draft. CEC commissioners will make their ultimate decision in Fall 2008 based on a Final Staff Assessment.

EHC and the community expressed anger with the Preliminary Staff Assessment which largely undermines a Chula Vista City policy designed to protect residents from power plants near their homes. In addition, the proposed plant would be too close to a school (1300 ft.) and residential community (350 ft.) in a community where 81% of residents are people of color and 16% are below the federal poverty level. The Preliminary Staff Assessment also does not properly address the new plant’s impacts on pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma or cardiovascular diseases, and fails to adequately review the best technology or clean energy alternatives.

“This preliminary staff assessment is woefully inadequate and does not properly address our community’s concerns. The current plant was a mistake, and the new one will be a bigger mistake,” said Leo Miras, EHC Policy Advocate.

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