A measure on Tuesday's ballot could decide the fate of a Redondo Beach power plant that has been a part of the city for decades.
The plant, operated by power company AES, is just blocks away from the Redondo Beach waterfront. The plant is an eyesore to some, and a major health concern to others.
"There's no need for a power plant there," said resident James McLeod.
Some of those who want to see the power plant phased out will vote yes on Measure A Tuesday. If approved, the plant site would be re-zoned for other uses, including public parks.
Then the plant owner, with the approval of the California Energy Commission, would need to meet very stringent environmental requirements in order to build a new plant there.
Opponents of Measure A warn land use rezoning could pit the city against plant owner AES, and tie the municipality up in legal wrangling.
"It is a terribly complicated issue," said Redondo Beach councilman Matthew Kilroy.
Local
Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
"There's still numerous flaws in Measure A that will lead to litigation between the City of Redondo Beach and AES, which we believe will cost the taxpayers," Kilroy added.
The plant does feed the power grid, which ultimately provides power to Redondo Beach, but it is aging. And both sides agree that something has to be done.
Due to federal law, the plant has to be re-built in the next decade to meet current environmental requirements.
"There is nobody who would like to go to a cleaner, better technology than myself," Kilroy said.
But some residents, including McLeod, want AES to rebuild elsewhere.
"It's David versus Goliath," he said, "and we know who Goliath is."
