Redondo Beach Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to halt discussions to form a sub committee to research AES’s plans to re-power the power plant and reconfigure their land.
Council members have been discussing the possibility of a sub committee for months, only to push it off after heated discussions about who would sit on the committee. Due to Brown Act regulations, only two members could be on the committee. However, many of the council members were interested in serving on the committee.
“When more than two of you are really engaged and interested in something, generally a subcommittee is a bad idea,” said City Attorney Mike Webb. “It’s almost an invitation to Brown Act stuff.”
Members have been divided on how to get information regarding the plant’s plans in a timely manner. Recently, AES spokespeople came to the council to present plans for the plant.
“The idea is to get the information out there unfiltered,” said Councilman Steve Diels. “I don’t like the idea of a subcommittee where we get it funneled back.”
Council member Bill Brand who has been heavily involved with the AES power plant issue suggested having a workshop with the California Energy Commission and California ISO, the regulating bodies who will decide if the AES power plant is necessary for the California energy grid.
“They could come down here and give us info on the want and need [of power],” said Brand. “They are willing to come down – for free!”
Matt Kilroy originally floated the idea of a subcommittee to provide a mechanism for the council to get engaged in the process. “Obviously we are,” said Kilroy.
Continued discussion of the power plant will continue during regular city council meetings.
