A scheduled presentation on the South Bay power plant by Chula Vista Port Commissioner Ann Moore didn’t happen Tuesday night during the City Council meeting.
That didn’t sit well with Councilman Rudy Ramirez.
Ramirez said he was upset for two reasons: The agenda item should have been under the consent calendar rather than under orders of the day; and the council was unable to take any action because nobody from the San Diego Unified Port showed up for questions and answers.
Moore, who was unable to make Tuesday’s council meeting due to a conflict with a Port Commission meeting, said during a May meeting that the Port made the plant’s demolition a top priority. Ramirez questioned that.
“We don’t even have a demolition permit issued for (Dynegy),” Ramirez said. “We don’t even have a plan for cleanup and its been a year.”
The power plant was dismantled one year ago and decommissioned last year on Dec. 31.
“Time is of the essence,” Ramirez said. “The condition of (Dynegy) presents a sense of urgency…”
Ramirez’ concern about Dynegy was sparked by a Sept. 2 article in The Wall Street Journal which had a grim financial report from Dynegy.
“I’m wondering are we over our heads on this thing?” he said. “I’m really worried about what we can do to protect the future of our bayfront.”
In March, the city of Chula Vista made a decision to cease negotiations with Dynegy to remove the power plant, following rumors of the company’s bankruptcy.
“If the bankruptcy were to happen we still have the Duke guarantee that they would perform,” Moore said in a previous interview.
Councilman Steve Castaneda said he’s frustrated too.
“It’s not our power plant, it’s not our land and it’s not our lease,” he said. “But it sits on our front porch and needs to be removed immediately.”
Castaneda said it’s time for the port to decide if they are going to continue with Dynegy.
The port is expected to give a status report on the power plant at the Oct. 25 council meeting.
