Blog: AES Stated, If the People of Redondo Beach Don't Want a New Power Plant, They Will Not Build It

Perhaps my ears were clogged, with all the noise pollution from the AES Redondo Beach Power Plant over the years (think noise ordinance violating steam/pollution releases); however, I’m pretty sure I heard AES go on record (at a Redondo Beach Council Meeting) stating that “if the people of Redondo Beach do not want a new power plant then AES would not build it?” Therefore, the passage of Measure A will send a message to AES that we don't want the plant. If they sue us, they will be not be honoring their word.

It appears, the new proposed new power plant, which is not designated as "must run," will only be effective at producing more unnecessary pollution (compared to recent decades) that can potentially harm nearby residents. It also appears that the proposed new plant will also be effective in reducing our potential renewable energy, (clean electricity) portfolio in the state with fossil fuel burning (polluting) generated electricity.

Myself, and others, are concerned that the new proposed plant may also be effective in supporting the huge appetite for electricity that will be required by an aquatic life-killing machine (desalination plant). If you think this is not a possibility, why is the desalination experiment being conducted and why are they still advertising tours of the desalination experiment every week? By not passing Measure A, are we allowing desalination to replace one form of aquatic life killing (through cooling of the power plant with ocean water) with another? Recent studies have shown that aquatic life measurements are down in the harbor area?  I wonder why? Could it have something to do with the desalination experiment?  I don’t think the West Basin Municipal Water District has said they do not plan to build a desalination plant on the AES site?

There are so many potential negatives. We should all consider these things in the March 5 election. Many of us don't want new unnecessary pollution, the associated harmful health effects related to a nearby toxic plume (think harmful micro particles), and the possibility of a new aquatic life-killing machine in Redondo Beach. Think about it. Please do some research on these important considerations. If you are not familiar with what is going on related to this important issue, visit nopowerplant.com. There is straightforward information available on this site and it was generated, not by special interests, but by your neighbors. After you study the facts, I hope you will Vote Yes for measure A.