Politics & Government

Santee School Board Shows Concern Over Quail Brush Power Plant

A letter to the CEC says the board has "grave concerns... primarily due to the unknown impact of emissions on the health and safety of students and staff."

The stepped into the fray over the Quail Brush Power Plant on Thursday by sending a letter to the California Energy Commission (CEC) expressing concerns about the proposed plant's proximity to schools under their jurisdiction.

According to the letter, the board has "grave concerns... primarily due to the unknown impact of emissions on the health and safety of students and staff."

The board has not formally shown opposition to the project, the letter said the Santee School Board will vote on a "resolution to formally oppose construction of the power plant" at the .

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The Santee School District joins the ranks of the , , (), many politicians, environmental groups and other community leaders that have written to the CEC with concerns about the 100-megawatt gas-powered power plant that is proposed to be constructed in the hills just north of Santee. Most recently the applicant has appealed the to deny initiation of the city's approval process.

Here is the letter:

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RE: Quail Brush Generation Project Application for Certification Docket No. 11-AFC-3

Dear Commissioner Douglas:

Quail Brush Genco, LLC (Quail Brush) has submitted an application for Certification to the California Energy Commission (CEC) for the construction and operation of a 100-megawatt electrical generating facility. The proposed location of the power plant is on a visually prominent hillside at the eastern border of the City of San Diego, adjacent to the City of Santee.

The Santee School District Board of Education has grave concerns regarding the construction of the plant, primarily due to the unknown impact of emissions on the health and safety of students and staff. In addition, the Board understands construction of the plant could negatively impact property values in the Santee community.

Information included in the application shows the power plant to consist of 11 exhaust stacks, each 100 feet in height, an 18-foot high radiator stack, a 22-foot high urea tank, a 20-foot high used oil
tank, a 20-foot high new oil tank, a 30-foot high fire water tank, assorted exhaust vents, and a two story building housing the generator bank in the City of San Diego. The impact of the power plant may be negligible to the City of San Diego; however, it is great to Santee.

The Board has made repeated requests to Quail Brush representatives for information regarding the health impacts of such a plant and for visual renderings. Quail Brush has failed to respond to the Board’s requests, instead suggesting that the Board wait for findings from the CEC and/or wait to learn of possible negative impacts until community workshops are held.

Due to the close proximity of three Santee schools to the proposed power plant site and the possible negative impact on Santee students, the Board can wait no longer. The Santee Board of Education will be voting on a resolution to formally oppose construction of the Quail Brush Power Plant at its to be held on September 4, 2012.

Respectfully,

[Signed by the Santee School Board members]


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