Clearing the air: AES, pollution, and Redondo Beach
The AES Redondo Beach power plant. Photo Second in a series Paul Moses has lived by the AES Redondo Beach power plant for more than 15 years. He can see the plant’s emission stacks from his South Redondo Beach home. He ardently hopes to one day open his shades, breathe in fresh air and see the beach instead of an industrial giant. “It is a constant degradation to our quality of life,” Moses said. “Many people who live in South Redondo or Hermosa say they live by the beach. I say I live by the power plant. It’s an industrial wasteland. But I see an opportunity to change that.” A window of opportunity for change has recently been opened. New state regulations requiring the state-wide decommissioning of “once-through” central cooling systems – which utilize ocean water and thus impact marine life – has prompted AES to reapply with the California Energy Commission (CEC) to repower its Redondo plant with an alternative cooling system. AES’ current plan is to downsize the plant to 12 acres, leaving 38 acres open to remediate and re-shape the land for alternative non-industrial uses. But many residents want more than a mere downsizing of the plant. Two grassroots community movements…
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