Letter: AES Emissions Endanger Kids

I commend the Redondo School Board, local PTA and for their public commitment to improving health in the lives of our children. However, as respected leaders in our community, do they not have a moral obligation to address the pink elephant ( gray behemoth) down on our waterfront that poses one of the biggest health threats to our children? Because we can't visibly see carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, ammonia and other particulate pollution, how many of us foolishly have a false sense of security? The repowering means the AES plant is going to go from barely running at all (now) to running most of the time.

Although in the press, AES touts the new plant as green and safe, AES is still requesting the same exemptions from the state to run its new proposed plant. If they repower this facility, our community is going to have serious air quality issues and health concerns. The location of this plant makes its emissions even more dangerous with the coastal winds blowing the toxic air right up the hill towards thousands of Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach children playing outside at school.

It's sad, and I find it just a little bit ironic to see leaders claiming to be so committed to children's health and promoting their successful programs, yet are still maintaining their silence on this critical issue. This is hypocrisy at its worst. To continue to remain silent on such an important health issue is cowardly and reckless.

Deanne Dimascio
Redondo Beach resident

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