Opponents of NRG Energy‘s plans for a second power plant near the shores of Carlsbadistan’s Aqua Hedionda Lagoon gathered at Cannon Park today (April 16, 2009) in the shadow of the Encina Power Station to speak to the media.
News 10, News 8, and writers and photographers from the local papers were present along with approximately 40 citizens to hear people including Carlsbad Councilman Matt Hall, former Councilwoman Julie Nygaard, and Kerry Siekmann (among others) speak out against the new plant.
Siekmann spoke to the fact that SDG&E does not need the power this new plant will produce. In fact, she said, SDG&E hasn’t even contracted with the plant to buy power. Where will it go? Maybe Los Angeles, she said.
“This power can be sold everywhere,” Siekmann said. “But where will the pollution go? Here. So we get 854,000 tons of carbon emissions. We get all the particulate pollution that the American Lung association links to death from respiratory and cardio-vascular causes, increased number of heart attacks, hospitalization for asthma among children, inflammation of lung tissue in young healthy adults just to name a few. We get all the ozone pollution too that the American Lung association says may lead to serious health concerns including premature death, chest pain, inflamation of the lining of the lungs. This is not just about our neighborhood. It’s not just about Carlsbad. It’s about the whole air basin here in San Diego. This is not the right plant, it’s the wrong plant.”
Former City Councilwoman Julie Nygaard agreed. “We should not sit back idly and watch our way of life be diminished,” she said. “In all my years of public service I have never seen a proposal that stands to do as much damage as this one does to our community.”
For more information on the plant and the people who oppose it click the link. Or click here for Barbara Henry’s story in the North County Times.
[Link: Power of Vision Carlsbad]
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No opinions on a San Diego County blackout during inevitable wildfires?
We need to make power and this use of the land will not add to traffic.
Build it!
Hall was all for the plant when it was going to be put near the current skatepark in SE Carlsbad, west of the airport, near the Vista border, because there were 4-star hotel plans for the beach property: it wasn’t going to be open space for the public! Their big gripe then was how “ugly” it would be from the 5. They didn’t care about the pollution then that people in SE Carlsbad would have to live with, much less the “ugliness”. Hold politicians accountable! Hall wants to be Mayor next year when Buddy retires!
Hall is waffling on Alga Norte too. Keith Blackburn for Mayor 2010! http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/apr/19/1mc19park191135-calling-support-park-plan-8211-lit/