Anaheim Councilwoman Kris Murray

Anaheim Councilwoman Kris Murray

Anaheim Councilwoman Kris Murray published this op-Ed in the Anaheim Bulletin yesterday:

Last week, the Orange County Water District voted to lease property at the Ball Road Basin in Anaheim to a private company, Competitive Power Ventures, to build a gas-fired power plant. It would include 90-foot stacks towering over the neighboring community and obstructing the view of local businesses as well as the Honda Center and Angels Stadium.

Shockingly, the OCWD board also refused to consider changes to the plan that would have required approval by the City of Anaheim. Even more shocking, this planned power plant will not provide power to Anaheim.

Anaheim residents should be outraged that a 20-acre power plant – proposed for an area currently zoned as open space along the Santa Ana River trail – was approved prior to conducting any feasibility studies, environmental impact reports, public hearings, or obtaining any land use permits.

Anaheim recognizes the need for diverse sources of power in Southern California, especially with the permanent loss of the San Onofre plant. In Anaheim, we’ve focused on promoting diverse energy resources and conservation. In fact, Anaheim’s utility department developed a power portfolio that will exceed 33 percent renewable energy. Our residents, schools and businesses have partnered with the city on major solar projects. Most recently, the Honda Center – home of the Anaheim Ducks – partnered with Bloom Energy on new energy technology, making it one of the greenest facilities in the National Hockey League.

It is important to note that Anaheim offered two alternative sites properly zoned and approved for this purpose, but CPV rejected these sites – even though their prospective client, Southern California Edison, released maps to specify medium- and high-value locations that did not include the land at Ball Road Basin.

Orange County Register has also weighed in, arguing that the project should be subject to the local jurisdiction in its Dec. 10 editorial “Hear about the power plant? Anaheim project proceeds with scant notice.” They recommended that OCWD and Competitive Power Ventures slow down and allow local residents and the City Council to have “a larger voice in this matter, given they will be most impacted by the proposal.”

In Anaheim, we’ve had a long history of working collaboratively with OCWD on vital infrastructure projects, including a recent partnership to build Anaheim’s Canyon Power Plant in 2011. But it’s inexcusable that this new project is moving forward without any local review or planning in the process.

A broad coalition of community leaders, area businesses, and local and state lawmakers have joined together to oppose the power plant at this location. Now is the time for city residents to speak up.

Go to stopthepowerplant.com for more information on how you can get involved and make your voice heard.