Tuesday should have been a landmark day for South Bay
communities and San Diego Bay. It should have been a day of
celebration and speeches ushering in a new era of renewal for
the Chula Vista bayfront. The South Bay Power Plant operator,
the regional water quality authority and state energy agencies
all promised that by November 10, 2009, the polluting clunker
would have shut down its operation. Sadly, it did not happen.
Instead, the water discharge permit to cool the plant, slated to
expire Tuesday, was indefinitely extended. In addition, the
energy grid manager – the California Independent System Operator
– persistently designates the plant with “must-run” status.
Until this status is lifted, or the water permit is terminated,
long-awaited plans for parks, hotels and economic development on
the bayfront remain beyond reach. As South Bay elected
officials, we are united by our desire to remove the power plant
from the Chula Vista bayfront. This antiquated plant impacts our
health, economy and environment. Pe