Health & Fitness
Spooky, Terrifying, Ghastly!
Cogentrix wants to build their Quail Brush Power Plant alongside Mission Trails Regional Park, plunging a dagger in the heart of San Diego County.
Yes, Halloween is coming. And the prospect of all the Freddy Krueger, Jason and Zombie characters converging on your front doorstep for candy may send shivers of delight up your spine. But what is REALLY spooky, terrifying and ghastly is the silent slither of Cogentrix as they push their proposal for the Quail Brush Power Plant closer and closer to fruition.
I have attended many of the "battles" in this long and exhausting"war," including rallies on street corners to wake up San Diego and Santee neighbors as they drive by; a San Diego Planning Commission meeting; the San Diego City Council session which ended in a unanimous vote against the power plant (YAY!!!) and a number of "Workshops" held by the CEC (California Energy Commission) to inform community members of this project and answer questions from the community. At every step I have marveled at the "David vs. Goliath" feel of the whole thing, especially during the City Council when Councilmember Sherri Lightner requested that the applicant withdraw their application altogether. A heady moment. However, that withdrawal has not yet been forthcoming.
The war continues - yes, even though both San Diego and Santee City Councils have said "No;" even though the San Diego Planning Commission, Sierra Club, Santee School District, River Coalition, Environmental Health Coalition and a host of others have said "No," the CEC is continuing with their "job" of assessing Cogentrix's proposition, and finding ways to "mitigate" it.
Find out what's happening in Santeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Lori Ziebart and the rest of the Cogentrix crew continue their Zombie walk towards Mission Trails, threatening all hikers, bicyclists, mothers with baby carriages, fathers giving horsey-back rides, rock climbers and other enthusiasts who come to Mission Trails for solace, a respite from day-to-day distractions, a good workout and the scents, sights and sounds of the Great Outdoors. I personally enjoy riding my mountain bike there with my friends, and the thought of a hellacious power plant throbbing right on the other side of the park border, drives me wild. Think "The Hulk."
Several people passionate about saving Mission Trails Regional Park have, at the cost of their own precious time and money - to purchase tee-shirts, flyers and a website - are now engaged in this grisly dance with Cogentrix and the CEC. Cogentrix and the CEC commissioners are PAID for their involvement. We certainly are not! And we are seeking others who feel as strongly as we do that Mission Trails Regional Park is a sacred space that must not be touched. The adjoining lands will be rezoned from Open Space to Heavy Industrial - over our dead bodies!
Find out what's happening in Santeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Do you think it would be a good idea to put a power plant down next to Yosemite? Or Zion? Or Central Park? Why would anyone even dream of putting one next to Mission Trails? Join up with David in this quest to conquer Goliath. To find out what you can do, go to Save Mission Trails.