While some would have the public believe that the movement against is a couple of "zealots," misleading thousands and thousands of Redondo residents, a growing list of organizations and political leaders are joining the fight.
Sierra Club, Environmental Priorities Network and VOICE all support Building a Better Redondo and NoPowerPlant.com in their opposition of a new power plant in Redondo. has expressed its concern about the particulate pollution and is demanding a more detailed analysis than required normally in the permitting process. The California State Coastal Conservancy has funded studies, concept drawings, power expert analysis and has committed to help capture sources and strategies for parkland funding.
We write to express the Club’s opposition to any plan or application submitted by AES Southland LLC (hereinafter “AES”) for the rebuilding/repowering of the power generating station located in Redondo Beach, California. - Sierra Club Letter
No generation at the Redondo Beach Generating Station location is needed to meet either the LA Basin LCR or the Western LA Basin sub-area LCR through 2020. - State Coastal Conservancy Report
Political leaders are also making their opposition very clear. Current and recent office holders include:
- Janice Hahn, Congresswoman, sent letter to CEC opposing new power plant
- Ted Lieu, State Senator, supports resident land use initiative
- Besty Butler, State Assemblywoman, opposes new power plant
- Howard Fishman, Hermosa Councilman, signed petition against power plant
- Todd Lowenstein, Redondo School Board, actively opposes power plant
- Michael Keegan, former Hermosa Councilman, supports campaign against power plant
- Bill Brand, Redondo Councilman - leads oppostion to power plant
- Ray Waters, Beach Cities Democratic Club, participated in NoPowerPlant rally
Given that power production is not necessary from this particular location, the substantial negative impacts of the plant on the surrounding communities and the health and welfare of their residents is not justified. - Janice Hahn letter to CEC
And political candidates have made opposition to the power plant part of their campaigns as well:
- Zein Obaji, Congressional Candidate, has actively opposed power plant at City Council meetings, participated in rezoning initiative meeting
- David Steinman, Congressional Candidate, opposes power plant
- Steve Collett, Congressional Candidate, opposes power plant
- Craig Huey, State Assembly Candidate - attended NoPowerPlant rally and made press release opposing power plant
- Al Muratsuchi, State Assembly Candidate, issued press release opposing power plant
"I oppose any power plant in a high-density residential community such as Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach,” said Al Muratsuchi, candidate for Assembly in the newly-drawn 66th Assembly District. “The current and proposed plant will emit an unacceptable amount of toxics into our community, affecting not only neighboring residents but families, children, and elderly across the South Bay.
"Clearly our community has changed since this plant was first built, increasing in density and population. It is simply too risky to our communities’ health to continue to have or build a new source of pollution and high-risk power transmission." - Al Mirasutchi press release
"I have lived in the South Bay all of my life. I can remember a time when the South Bay was a semi-rural community. This is the wrong spot for a power plant. Although those days are gone, I for one would love to see a place where our children and grandchildren can have the opportunity to experience a glimpse of what we once all enjoyed here in the South Bay." - Craig Huey press release
The growing political opposition crosses party lines as Democrats, Republicans, Greens and Libertarians are represented. The opposition to the power plant is a non-partisan issue.
I will admit I am passionate in my opposition to a power plant...so call me a "zealot" if you will. But behind that passion is a lot of research on both the need for the power plant and how other communities have won their battles against new, uneeded power plants. Strong opposition early and often is the key to success.
It is obvious more and more political leaders and organizations believe that approach as well. Active opposition to a new power plant is snowballing. It is a shame our own city council is so wishy-washy and so slow to act. Where the City won't act, the residents must. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we must not squander it. Our ballot initiative to phase out the power plant will hit this streets this summer.
The message sent by voter-approved zoning that phases out the power plant, combined with the growing political support outside our own city, will send a clear and powerful message to the California Energy Commission, whose commissioners are political appointees.
