AES Contsruction Plan

By H. S. Fangary

AES'controversial plans to build two new plants may jeopardize Hermosa's property values, public health, and sensitive coastal environment.

Why have we seen so little leadership from Hermosa Beach City Hall on this issue? Most Hermosa residents live closer to the AES plant than the majority of Redondo residents in 3 of its 5 city council districts.

Their proposal includes two new facilities - a power generation plant and an energy-intensive water desalination plant. Their operations pose potential risks to our property values, the local environment, and our health.

And AES expects them to operate for 50 years.

In addition to financial, environmental, and health issues stakeholders have seriously questioned the need to replace a power generating plant that very rarely operates. Others insist a site located in a remote in-land area where such plants successfully operate now would serve the region well with less risk.

Why build on our environmentally sensitive coastline adjacent to Hermosa Beach, the most densely populated beach community in California?

AES submitted its construction plans in April 2011, and revised the plans in June 2011. But our City Council did nothing to evaluate the impact of AES' proposed plans on our City residents and businesses.

Finally, on September 27, our City Council scheduled Redondo Councilman Bill Brand to provide a 30 minute update on the AES project. But, after some maneuvering, the Council restricted Councilman Brand's presentation to 5 minutes... 5 minutes to explain a nine-year construction plan projected to impact us for half a century.

After Councilman Brand gave his AES presentantion, the Council evaluated a list of important issues to act upon in 2011-2012.

That list excluded the AES power plant. What are we waiting for?

Due to the efforts of concerned citizens in Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach, this issue has finally gotten the attention it deserves. The Daily Breeze discussed it in detail on page 1 of the October 1, 2011 edition.

I intend to watch this situation closely and critically. Please contact me to discuss your thoughts. We need to act collectively and I welcome your valuable input.