The City of Hermosa Beach will continue its opposition to the construction of a new AES power plant in Redondo Beach.
The city council voted 4-0 in favor of adopting a resolution on Tuesday night to officially oppose a new AES power plant at meetings and hearings — joining the City of Redondo Beach, which also opposes the project. Councilman Michael DiVirgilio was absent for the vote.
AES is seeking approval from the California Energy Commission to replace its existing electrical generation facility with a 496-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant. The site has been used as a power plant since 1896 and is right right across Herondo Street from a densely-populated area of south Hermosa Beach.
Hermosa residents voiced concerns to the council of air pollution, health risks, excessive noise and falling property values if AES’ plan goes through.
Redondo Beach, led by Councilman Bill Brand, has spent about $400,000 on lawyers, consultants and experts in its effort to fight the plan, Hermosa Mayor Peter Tucker said. Hermosa has also been an “intervener” on the project, which has entailed supporting the findings of Redondo’s staff and consultants.
Under the resolution passed Tuesday, Hermosa will continue to piggyback on the work of Redondo’s personnel and outside experts, and advocate for the AES plant to be permanently retired, with the electrical production facilities removed and land remediated.
“I don’t think it’s good for the community, whether it’s Redondo Beach or Hermosa Beach,” Councilman Hany Fangary said.
