Board of Supes Flips On Ladera Peaker Plant
Posted by: Jubal | 05/15/2008 4:53 PM
Score one for the operative NIMBY principle that the squeaky wheel of hysteria gets the grease.
This came over the transom from Sup. Bates office earlier today:
So on the day when a complete EIR (in addition to the already done negative declaration) is completed and the peaker plant passes, what will the Board of Supes say to Ladera Hope? Because from what I've seen, the process has absolutely nothing to do with their opposition to the peaker plant. The Father and the Son could certify an EIR, and Ladera Hope would sue because the entire Trinity hadn't signed off.
This came over the transom from Sup. Bates office earlier today:
Board of Supervisors Ask Court to Pull the Plug on Electrical "Peaker" Plant Permit in Ladera RanchHere's the accompanying legal document from county counsel, filled with lots of "maybes," "could bes," "suggests" and other terms of precision allowing the county to hit the silk and parachute safely into Ladera Hope-held territory.
SANTA ANA, CA - Due to ongoing litigation, Supervisor Pat Bates will be releasing the
following statements.
"Upon the advice of County Counsel and the Planning Director, the Board of Supervisors voted to unanimously inform the Superior Court that the environmental documentation provided to the County as part of its permit review and approval process was inadequate. Based on new information, the County now believes that the permit issued by the Planning Commission should be invalidated."
"As an advocate for business and as a representative of Orange County residents, my role is to ensure that there is a balanced and sensible project proposal that meets the needs of both the community as well as private enterprise. The process undertaken to review this project fell short of the necessary effort to provide my office, the Planning Commission and, most importantly, the residents the true scope of the proposal."
"The County's decision to take this position stems from a stark contrast between the approved project allowing 200-hours of annual operation for the electrical generating facility to its expanded scope of more than 2,400-hours of annual operation."
"As an elected official, it is often difficult to make these decisions. My vote supporting the
Board's position on the inadequacy of the permit is no exception. That's what I am elected to
do."
For specific details related to the court filed documents and description of the Board action,
please see the attached case management report.
Patricia C. Bates is the Vice Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, representing the Fifth Supervisorial District.
So on the day when a complete EIR (in addition to the already done negative declaration) is completed and the peaker plant passes, what will the Board of Supes say to Ladera Hope? Because from what I've seen, the process has absolutely nothing to do with their opposition to the peaker plant. The Father and the Son could certify an EIR, and Ladera Hope would sue because the entire Trinity hadn't signed off.
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What does the EIR say about blackouts? When the County fixes the EIR it needs to move it forward. Ladera needs to provide some of their own electrical capacity and not push it on to some other part of the county. Everyone needs to share the burdens of a modern society.
This is just more of the same old south county NIMBY garbage. No jails, no power plants, no airports, no freeways,... I'm beginning to think we should cut them off from services that they don't share the burden for.
Come on people. This is not NIMBY garbage. If homes were built on that hillside I would not oppose that. But a gas fired power plant that used beyond sneaky tactics and questionable info to get approved should be a public concern. I am pro business, but every business and developer should have to follow the same rules to play the game.
Additionally, it has been proven that the power is not needed (reserve peaker power is already exceeded by the CEC's requirements in SoCal). Why not allow Orange County to PLAN ahead and site power plants in appropriate locations? If you look at other CA peaker plants and where they are sited, they are in industrial areas and if homes are nearby it is because they were added after the plant was built. When Ladera Hope showed aerial photos of where these other power plants were located (in industrial areas), and then they showed the Ladera plant, it was laughable how close to homes it is.
What is wrong with letting the county plan based on accurate information? Seems like the responsible thing to do to me.
Senator Ackerman said that after his op-ed piece ran in the OC Register, the article that told us how wonderful and necessary the peaker plant would be in Ladera, that his son-in-law received a contract to represent Wellhead. I found that interesting.
Similarly, it's interesting that those who keep beating the drum of support for this plant, are those who make their living doing business with corporations such as SDG&E.
You are all smart enough, and informed enough, to know that we do not need this plant to avoid black outs. There are no valid arguments, which is why the OC Board of Supervisors voted UNANIMOUSLY to put the brakes on this project.
Personally, the concept of billion dollar corporations coming in and thumbing their nose at the public process, is sickening. I question the integrity and ethics of anyone that things such antics are acceptable.
Wow, Kim. That's quite a statement. Everyone who supports the peaker plant is on the SDG&E payroll?
For a talented wordsmith, such as yourself, Jubal, you know better than to make such a jump out of my comment.
"those who keep beating the drum of support for this plant" - that doesnt say 'everyone who supports the peaker,' but those that cant stop talking about their support for the peaker, can you see the difference?
"those who make their living doing business with corporations SUCH AS SDG&E"
Honestly, Ive yet to meet a person that supported this plant, who didnt work in the industry of public planning or power. And, THAT is INTERESTING to me.