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April
26, 2007
Citizens Who Care About The Palomar Energy
Plant
Palomar Watchdog is a grass-roots, citizen-sponsored campaign to support the safety of people living
near Palomar Energy Center in Escondido.
On Thursday, April 26, 2007, executives from SDG&E were taken to the woodshed
by the Hearing Board of the San Diego Air Pollution Control District, over excess pollution at the plant and another request
for a Variance to exceed environmental permits.
"This is an incredible victory for people who breathe around here,"
said Michael Johnson of San Marcos, one of three people to provide sworn testimony in opposition to Petition No. 4073.
"I think the Hearing Board has real concerns about SDG&E breaking their pollution promises."
Specifically, the
energy giant sought its second year of a Variance to release more of the pollutant "Nitrogen Oxide" (NOx) into the
local environment during turbine start-up than was originally approved.
According to the Environmental Protection
Agency website, NOx is harmful to children, the elderly, people with asthma and those who exercise outdoors. (Source:
http://www.epa.gov/air/urbanair/nox/hlth.html) It's also difficult to control. An EPA booklet on NOx stated: "EPA tracks emissions
of six principal air pollutants--carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and volatile
organic compounds. All have decreased significantly since the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970--except for
nitrogen oxides." (Source: "NOx: How nitrogen oxides affect the way we live and breathe", EPA-456/F-98-005)
Even
though the Hearing Board approved SDG&E's request, they threatened "mitigation fees" if the company doesn't clean up its
act. They also asked for detailed numbers on the actual amount of pollution created from the Variance to provisions
of Rule 69.3.1. As part of the deal, which expires next year, SDG&E will be required to make quarterly progress
reports to the Hearing Board.
Johnson said, "I'm still worried about the power plant. The Hearing Board based
some of their decisions on a draft of a proposed rule change only released six days earlier. It seems premature to rewrite
rules affecting public health without a proper public comment period and formal approval by the Air Pollution Control Board."
For
the record, the Palomar Watchdog campaign is not against the Power Plant. This is one of the most progressive,
clean-burning power plants in America. SDG&E is using lots of innovative technologies to minimize
negative impacts. And the Air Pollution Control District is showing strong regulatory oversight, too.
Why
then this website? Because the Palomar Energy Center is starting to show a pattern of environmental abuse. They're
not keeping their pollution promises! As a result, the health of the public is being compromised. And
now they want to change the rules.
Time For Action
Concerned residents should express their opinions to the elected officials who make the decisions
and the local newspapers who keep the public informed. If you do comment, please be polite and considerate. Respect
must be show, if respect is to be received. Here are some possibilities:
North County Times accepts "unsolicited
commentaries" up to 500 words on local topics; mail to 207 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Escondido, CA 92025; fax to 760-745-3769;
e-mail to opinion@nctimes.com; hand-deliver to any local office in Escondido (207 E. Pennsylvania Ave.), San Marcos (933 W. San Marcos Blvd.),
Fallbrook (232 S. Main St.), Vista (950 Escondido Ave.), Oceanside (1722 S. Coast Hwy.), Encinitas (374 N. Coast Highway 101,
Suite A) and Temecula (28765 Single Oak Dr., Suite 100).
Today's Local News accepts letters to the editor e-mailed
to tlnletters@tlnews.net ; this paper is delivered free Wednesday through Sunday to Escondido, San Marcos, Oceanside, Vista and
Carlsbad.
North County Reader accepts letters pertaining to the contents of the Reader; phone them in at
619-235-3000 x460; mail them to Letters to the Editor, Box 85803, San Diego, CA 92186-5803; fax them to 619-231-0489, or e-mail
them through the web site www.SanDiegoReader.com/letters. Include your name, address, and telephone number.
You can also write directly to the County Board
of Supervisors, since they sit on the Air Pollution Control Board, and they appoint the representatives to the Air Pollution
Control District Hearing Board, which approves Variances.
Supervisor Greg Cox, District 1; e-mail to gregcox@sdcounty.ca.gov ; mail to 1600 Pacific Hwy., Room 335, San Diego, CA 92101; phone to 619-531-5511; fax to 619-235-0644
Supervisor
Dianne Jacob, District 2; e-mail to dianne.jacob@sdcounty.ca.gov ; mail to 1600 Pacific Hwy., San Diego, CA 92101; phone to 619-531-5522; fax to 619-696-7253
Supervisor
Pam Slater-Price, District 3; e-mail to Pam.Slater@sdcounty.ca.gov ; mail to 1600 Pacific Hwy., Room 335, San Diego, CA 92101; phone to 619-531-5533; fax to 619-234-1559
Supervisor
Ron Roberts, District 4; e-mail to ron-roberts@sdcounty.ca.gov ; mail to 1600 Pacific Hwy., Room 335, San Diego, CA 92101; phone to 619-531-5544; fax to 619-531-6262
Supervisor
Bill Horn, District 5; e-mail to BillHorn@sdcounty.ca.gov ; mail to 1600 Pacific Hwy., Room 335, San Diego, CA 92101; phone to 800-852-7335 or 619-531-5555 or 760-806-2400
Written by: Bill Osborn
On August 3rd, 2004 the Escondido Union
High School District board members met to narrow down a list of seven potential high school sites to two or three. High on
their goals is the creation of a comprehensive high school, a school that includes athletic fields such as baseball and football
fields. To accomplish this goal they require a site with at least 50 buildable acres. According to the Comprehensive High
School Sites Study document the following sites have been under study:
Prior to the meeting myself and a number of neighbors distributed
210 flyers throughout Eden Valley and the neighboring homes alerting the community to the potential of a high school in Eden
Valley. We requested those that were opposed to the school send letters, send e-mail, phone, or attend the meetings. I was
so excited about the response we received. I had eight letters sent to me for delivery to the board and we had approximately
24 to 28 residence in attendance.
At the meeting my wife and I passed out bright yellow signs
that Janean Huston printed. The signs read, Eden Valley High School with a circle and a slash through it. As we passed them
out we requested that the signs be held high when an Eden Valley resident spoke. The board took notice that we were there
united as a community. Thanks to our efforts the board voted 4-0 to not study the Eden Valley site at this time.
This does not mean we are high school free yet. The school district
narrowed the list to three sites. Should those prove to not be buildable they can begin the process again. The 3 sites selected
are:
- Del Dios Site @ Via Rancho Pkwy
- Avenida Del Diablo Site
@ Citracado Pkwy
- Mesa Rock Road Site, adjacent to Jesmond Dene area but WEST
of Hwy 15.
To all of you who took action on this issue, thank you. If it was not for us working as a community we may have been on
the short list and facing the possibility of losing Eden Valley as we know it.
UPDATE: February 2006 - The school board is not longer looking for a large parcel suitable for a comprehesive
high school!
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