Santee School Board Votes to Oppose Quail Brush Power Project Site

Read more articles concerning the Quail Brush Power Plant

The voted 4-1 in favor of a resolution opposing the proposed location of the Quail Brush Power Plant at its meeting Tuesday.

The resolution said that the board opposes "the currently proposed location of the Quail Brush Power Plant unless and until all affects of the proposal are fully disclosed, analyzed and mitigated."

With three schools in close proximity to the proposed plant site (, and ), district trustees are worried about the affect the plant could have on the health of students.

"The power plant will emit hazardous emissions with unknown impact directly into the dense residential community and school environments of Santee," stated the resolution.

The resolution also discussed preserving community property values, especially considering the value of for school modernization. They also mentioned land that the district owns near the plant site that they plan to use for a new school site in the future as reason for opposing the plant site.

The vote was from the board sent last week that voiced concern over the plant to the California Energy Commission, who if the plant can be built in the hills north of Santee.

"We are disappointed with the District's decision, as we have worked closely with the Board to answer questions and respond to requests," said , Project Manager for the Quail Brush Generation Project. 

"We continue to believe that Quail Brush will provide the community with a number of wide ranging benefits from reliable power to the permanent dedication of highly valued environmental lands," she said.

Barbara Ryan was the only boardmember to vote against the resolution.

Grossmont Union High School District Superintendent voicing concern over the plant's proposed siting near West Hill's High, but the GUHSD board hasn't voted on the issue. The letter sites potential health, noise, traffic and visual impacts on the students and campus, which lies about 3,500 feet from the site.

Key points of the SSD resolution are below (see the full text of the resolution in the attached PDF):

Whereas, the power plant will emit hazardous emissions with unknown impact directly into the dense residential community and school environments of Santee...

The Santee School District has three schools in close proximity to the proposed power plant location...

The Santee School District owns land for a future school site approximately half a mile from the proposed plant site...

The Santee School District has established a Wellness Policy as part of their health education program, promoting opportunities to be physically active on a regular basis...

The Board of Education wishes to assure a high quality outside air environment for the children of Santee, both in school and out of school...

The Board of Education wishes to protect the property values of homes in the Santee School District jurisdiction for the Prop R bonds assessments...

The Board of Education wishes to protect open land and parks in and around the Santee community for benefit of the children and families of Santee.

Now therefore be it resolved that the Santee School District Board of Education does hereby formally oppose the currently proposed location of the Quail Brush Power Plant unless and until all affects of the proposal are fully disclosed, analyzed and mitigated.