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AES Letter Confirms Power Plant Opponents' Statements
City report on harbor area cites AES as major cause of blight.
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Editor's note: The text of this article was replaced with an edited version from Jim Light on Thursday afternoon.
AES, the company that runs Redondo’s power plant, sent a letter to the City responding to questions brought up during their new power plant presentation to city council. It turns out, this letter confirms many of the points that NoPowerPlant and Building a Better Redondo have advertised publicly.
The current power plant rarely runs and is not needed
The numbers provided by AES in the letter corroborates Energy Commission reports that the plant runs at very low run rates. According to the AES letter, in 2009 the AES plant ran at less than 6 percent of capacity. This bolsters the argument that the power plant is not needed. There are now seven reports by state agencies projecting out as far as 2021, that demonstrate, even under worst case scenarios, we have excess power generation capacity in our area of the power grid without any power generation in Redondo.
The new plant will run more and thus will produce more pollution
AES’s tag line is that the new plant will be cleaner and greener. This is misleading. According to AES’s letter, running at under 6 percent of capacity, our current plant produced 5.23 tons of particulate air pollution. Yes, that is 5.23 tons of particles finer than a human hair’s diameter. AES then uses this number to predict that their proposed new 630MW plant running at 25 percent of capacity would produce 10.59 tons of particulate pollution. That is 10.59 tons of pollution that is bad for the young, the elderly, those with preexisting heart and lung problems and those who work out outdoors pumped right out into some of the most densely populated coastline in California.
But AES’ numbers do not add up
I challenge AES’s numbers here.
NRG had to submit to the state their emissions projections to the state on the brand new 530MW plant they are currently building in El Segundo. This new plant is about the same size as what AES is advertising…. the NRG plant is planned at 530MW and AES is proposing their new plant at 630 MW.
According to their emissions projection, NRG plans to run the new plant at 60 percent capacity. Several other new plants we have investigated of this size have all submitted their environmental impacts assuming 60 percent run rates. In its letter, AES made calculations for the new plant running using just 25 percent of capacity. Hmmm. Will AES really invest over half a billion dollars to build a new plant and then limit its run time to just 25 percent? I don’t think so.
Additionally, the emissions AES reports on their current plant appear to be understated.
According to the NRG’s emissions projection, their brand new 530MW power plant would produce 21.6 tons of annual particulate pollution at the 25 percent capacity AES uses. The AES letter states their new, bigger 630MW plant would produce just 10.59 tons at that run rate, about half of what NRG emissions would be. That in and of itself raises concern that the AES letter drastically understates the pollution from their new plant. But to make matters worse, AES’ numbers are based on the pollution they report from their current plant.
Would AES have us believe that their current 1960’s technology power plant runs cleaner than a brand new plant? Something smells rotten here, and it is not just the pollution AES spews on the few occasions its current plant runs. I don’t buy it. And neither should you.
If you throw out the questionable AES numbers and apply the new NRG plant emissions at a more believable 60 percent run rate, the amount of particulate pollution jumps to a whopping 59 tons – more than 550 percent what AES projects in its letter! And that’s just particulate pollution. Based on NRG’s emissions, a new AES plant running 60 percent would produce 110 tons of nitrogen oxides, 9 tons of sulfur dioxides, 200 tons of carbon dioxide, 37 tons of volatile organic compounds, and 82 tons of ammonia each year. Mmmm-mmm, sounds great to me!
What’s the City doing about it?
Nothing. And doing nothing means we get a new power plant.
We have shown the City the state agency reports that show the power plant is not needed. We have shown them the pollution and health impacts; and, the City itself has produced reports on the negative impacts of the power plant. These city reports call the power plant the “major blighting influence” in the harbor. The reports show negative financial impacts to residents, businesses and the city. The reports call the power plant “incompatible” with surrounding uses. And the reports show how to rezone the property to phase out the power plant. Since we don’t need the power, and the City knows of all these horrible impacts, how can they sit there do nothing?
Several cities have successfully fought repowering their antiquated power plants. In each case, the City made strong resolutions and enacted policy documents opposing the new power plants.
Councilman Aust has exclaimed he needs more data and the time is not right for the city to act. Councilman Diels has advertised the ludicrous claim that our Council cannot do anything because of their “quasi-judicial” role. Odd how Oxnard, San Francisco, and Chula Vista have all passed resolutions and policies against a new power plant, but somehow our City Council has a unique, special “quasi-judicial role” that no other city has that prevents them from taking action. Forgive me, but I’m flying the malarkey flag on that one.
The clock is ticking and the City’s current course of action plays right into AES’s hand.
What can we do?
Since our Council will not act, the residents need to take charge. Going to our Council has proven to be a waste of time. Residents cannot pass a city resolution, but we can change the zoning to phase out the power plant.
NoPowerPlant and BBR are working together to rezone the power property through a ballot initiative. A first draft of the proposed zoning is posted on the NoPowerPlant blog. We have raised about $15,000 of the $35,000 we need for the legal services to finalize this initiative.
If you oppose a new power plant, the most effective single thing you can do is go to www.NoPowerPlant.com and make a donation to the legal fund.
Sheri Ellis-Patterson
1:01 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thank goodness we have several folks in our community with EXPERTISE on this issue. If not, AES would continue to say anything and have their faulty and intentionally misleading information go unchecked. Their job is to make millions and focus on profit-- at all cost. Our job is to ensure we protect this great beach community and make it a safe place to live, play and exercise outdoors.
It sure is a shame our mayor and city council are worthless on this issue-although not surprising given the characters currently in office. Great example once again proving we cannot wait for government to do the RIGHT THING. Residents will need to work together to STOP this unnecessary and dangerous new plant.
Jerry Wood
1:14 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Isn't AES still the property owner and do they not still have property rights? Would anyone like their property rights abolished by fiat? We are still a representative government not a democracy or we devolve into mob rule as soon as we vote ourselves to teh common purse as it appears som eare advocating. To make Redondo teh palce fr people to live work and play require a sober rational forward thinking plan that encompasses power, water, sewage, and infrastructure and development rule that will improve all facets of the community not just the few who advocate a ludarian philosophy fpr some but not themselves. change begins at home with ourselves.
Jim Light
1:39 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
The City controls zoning and land use. It is one of their basic authorities. If you've followed local actions, our zoning is evolving all the time. Ruxton was rezoned from industrial to residential. The Catalina Coffee Company is now in residential zoning. In 1992 many of our properites were downzoned by the city.
According to City documents, the power plant is now surrounded by "incompatible" uses. It is the "major blighting influence" in the harbor. It has negative fiscal impacts on residents, businesses and the city. According to AES self reporting, AES is our City's biggest single polluter. And according to seven state agency reports and studies we don't need its power for as far as they project into the future.
What is more sober and rational than getting rid of an antiquated, polluting, blighting eyesore that no longer is needed?
Our initiative will rezone 30% of the property for commercial use - 15 acres of waterfront commercial property -over twice the size of the Decron leasehold in the harbor. Between that and the air pollution credits AES can sell off, AES will make money on the property. Remember they have had 20 years to recoupe their investment on their purchase of the current power plant and their contract is over in 2018.
Thanks to those who just donated!
We have a once in a lifetime opportunity. Let's not squander it.
Jim Light
1:52 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Jerry - it's easy to insult and name call. I'd be interested if you have any facts or studies that show our assessment or conclusions are wrong. Do you have any?
Initiative is one of our rights here in California. It was instituted when elected officials refused to represent the voters who voted them in - a sort of check and balance of elected official power. It is hardly "mob rule" and it is not easy to do.
Sheri Ellis-Patterson
2:17 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Jerry, it's important to remember that whether a business owns their own land, they cannot come up with a new plan to make money that at the same time will spew harmful levels of toxic pollution on neighboring people/communities and think it will get approved. Well, unless you are AES Redondo (a billion dollar corporation) and you have a corrupt city council, like the City of Redondo, who is allowing it.
There are 7 independent reports now from state agencies that all confirm that AES Redondo is no longer a critical component in So Cal power generation, AND that we have more than enough coverage in the worst of worse scenarios. This plant can be retired, it's simply not needed. Many new plants have come online in recent years and they are situated in places where there is far less development-- basically much safer places.
AES' contract to sell power in Redondo ends in 2018 and the residents of Redondo can use our democratic RIGHT to vote against them getting a new license and rebuilding on our waterfront. We will do this by re-zoning and phasing out industrial use and time it to begin when their license to sell power ends. AES is free to do business- just not in a manner that puts public health at risk.
Jerry Wood
5:14 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Sheri, I was only addressing property rights those who seemingly rail against the way things are without taking the risks to change they way they think it should be. Becasue our economy is going to shamble due partly to over regulation adn excessive taxation it is not unusual for energy needs to decline. With the increased costs and the difficulties of starting a business that could create jobs and once again bring revenues into our pockets via good paying jobs. Currently what is teh environment for starting a business in REdondo Beach. how many forms, regulation. licenses ar erequired to just startup. I realize much of this comes from the state oegislature and our federal mandates but couldn't we focus on our little hometown and try and make this a more conducive less strident palce to live work and play. Even a rebuilt power generator creates jobs and would be less polluting than the current system in place. As far as it is just a unit needed in peak times wouldn't a more efficient faster running system make more sense?
Jerry Wood
5:16 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Jim, it might be easy for you to iunsult and name call but I've always struggled with it. although I experienced it often from those devoid of any new and fresh ideas.
Jim Light
5:26 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Jerry,
The plant employment would go from 50 to 30 according to AES. Our draft zoning of 15 acres of commercial would offer far more employment. And I don't know about you, but I am a businessman and take the risks in order to stay competitive in a tough market. Not sure what that has to do with stopping an unneeded power plant that will bring down the value of all the businesses and private property in its vicinity.
Sheri Ellis-Patterson
5:29 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Jerry, I'm glad you are interested in this issue. All of us against the power plant would love to bring jobs to our city. Did you know that AES Redondo's rebuild will actually mean less jobs? This is per their own reports. Look at what the 2 acres of land at Metlox Center in MBch has done for their downtown. Do you know how many new jobs could come out of a rezoning where 15 acres could be built commerciallyinstitutionally? How about the new Shade Hotel going in down on our waterfront-- do you think tourists are going to want to spend $300 a night to sleep next to a new power plant with large cooling towers and an enormous amount of toxic pollution?
What AES isn't making clear in their mktg pitch to the residents is that a new more efficient plant that cost them half a billion dollars is going to be run the same amount of time as the other new plants being built with the same technology. The run time rate is about 60% to make good on the investment. The emissions put into our community where thousands of young children are outdoors playing and at school will skyrocket compared to the current amount. The current plant barely runs-- approx 6% run time! Who does AES think they are fooling?
Residents don't care if AES wants to develop their land and make lots of money or lease it or sell it. As long as there are restrictions that make sense for our already dense beach community and the net does not equate to a huge increase in dangerous emissions.
Mike W
6:45 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Hello Everyone, I rarely take the time to comment under normal circumstances, but I feel obliged to on this matter given what is being said here. Everyone who is doing whatever is necessary to oppose this, including rezoning and/or anything to any extreme if need be, thank you genuinely for your efforts. We will prevail, as quite clearly given the circumstances we should. All I ask is that you don't waste your time or energy replying to ridiculous commentary from people who can't possibly grasp the matter at hand on the surface or on a much deeper level! It's particularly this style of thinking and argumentation that plagues our society today. Thank goodness for genuine, intelligent people who actually care to care about things worth caring about.
Sincerely.
Fred Reardon
10:43 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Please go to www.NoPowerPlant.com and make a donation to the legal fund.
Jerry Wood
11:56 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
people who can't grasp the matter still vote last time I checked and every vote is equal. I am just commenting on what I see and hear from many sources. Including my observations and discussion from the "unInformed". I do not have the time or energy nor the desire to examine every issue that hits the city of Redondo beach. That's why I voted for and still support Pat Aust my councilman. I am all for building a better Redondo Beach but to do it by initiative and protests rarely results in a better law being written. If you want to pretend start a committee. if you need it done assign it to the busiest individual. there was a huge discussion and a vote once before called heart of the city which was derailed at the last minute by panicking voter with partial if not untruths and wild what will happen if we pass it. Density is always a concern that's why we adjust whats been passed. Hence we have had no structure in place to even amend. It seems we are getting further alienated by those who did not prevail in theri discussion wiht our elected representatives and now want to form a shadow government. that alwasy concerns me.
Jim Light
6:41 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
Jerry - unfortunately, Mr.Aust does not appear to grasp the process. He stated we should wait until after state agencies act on the AES' application. That is too late. The City must weigh in now. That is how San Francisco and Chula Vista did it. That is how Oxnard is doing it right now.
This is America. Our nation were born by a group who did not feel adequately represented by their government. Initiative was added to California for the same reason. We are not forming a shadow government, we are following the California constitution. This is not rocket science, the question is whether the people want a power plant or not. We are willing to put it on the ballot to measure the will of the people.
Heart of the City was not a voter panic. It was a bait and switch by the City. During all the workshops the density of 55 units per acre that would allow up to 2998 condos and an additional 600,000 square feet of commercial development on top of that, was NEVER mentioned. The first those numbers appeared was in the Environmental Impact Report. The planning commission and elected officials ignored hundreds of residents who testified then, just like they are now. We gathered over 6000 signatures in two weeks. It was not a panic. It was the voice of the people.
Fred Reardon
12:54 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
I can't wait to vote on the zoning change.
Jim Light
7:18 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
I have uploaded screen captures of quotes from two City of Redondo reports related to the AES power plant and the pollution emissions table from the 530MW NRG Plant submission to the state. The impacts of the power plant are well documented and known to our city officials.