
Lancaster city officials remain opposed to the Palmdale Power Plant because it could produce 546 tons of pollutants every year, however, the proposed shopping centers approved by the city of Lancaster will actual produce more pollutants than the power plant, according to Palmdale City officials. The numbers were detailed in a press release issued Monday as part of Palmdale’s “Fact vs. Fiction” series. Read it below:
Fact vs. Fiction, Part 6 – Palmdale Power Plant produces less emissions than Lancaster’s big box centers across from Quartz Hill High School, yet the Parris/Crist campaign of lies continues by scaring children & parents
PALMDALE – Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) reveal that the proposed shopping centers which the City of Lancaster approved to be built directly across the street from Quartz Hill High School will produce more emissions than the proposed Palmdale Power Plant.
The Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) for both the Lane Ranch Towne Center Project and the Quartz Hill Commons Project show that the total amount of emission tonnage exceeds the amount that will be generated by the Palmdale Power Plant by more than 25 tons. The EIRs reveal that the two shopping centers, which are across the street from Quartz Hill High School and its athletic fields, will create a total of 571.28 tons of emissions per year. (Sources: The Commons at Quartz Hill Draft Environmental Impact Report, IV. D. Air Quality, Page IV-D-25; and Lane Ranch Town Center Draft Environmental Impact Report, IV. D. Air Quality, Page IV-D-25. View it here.) [View the full reports here.]
The Palmdale Power Plant is permitted for up to 547 tons of emissions a year, which is nearly 25 tons less than the proposed Lancaster shopping centers.
“That 547 number is a combination of worse-case scenarios,” said Palmdale’s Public Works Director Mike Mischel. “When the California Energy Commission calculates the amount of emissions, they use scenarios such as the plant running 24/7-365 days a year, or with hundreds of ‘cold starts,’ much like a person would be starting and stopping their car engine then taking the highest number of emissions for each scenario. The power plant will actually produce fewer emissions than indicated as none of these scenarios should happen,” Mischel said.
“Furthermore the Palmdale Power Plant project is purchasing Emission Reduction Credits at a ratio of at least 1:3 to 1, which means it is taking more emissions out of our air than it is putting in,” Mischel said. “That is how the California Energy Commission and United States Environmental Protection Agency are able to clean our air while providing reliable sources of energy.”
“Everyone knows that shopping centers are not gross polluters,” said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford. “I think it’s important that whenever you are providing technical data to the public that you put that data in the proper perspective. Shopping centers are a [part] of our everyday life and these numbers just prove how clean the Palmdale Power Plant is going to be. It shows how advanced and efficient the technology is, and it’s something we can all be very proud of.”
Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District Board Chair and Lancaster Vice Mayor Marvin Crist has continued his campaign of lies, most recently by targeting school children and parents in the Lancaster School District with letters, fliers and public presentations with false claims. In the past, Lancaster officials including Crist and R. Rex Parris have claimed that the power plant would kill children, create a six mile high cloud of pollution that floats over schools and soccer fields, and cause job losses at Air Force Plant 42—all of which are completely false with no foundation in reality.
In addition, the City of Lancaster is attempting to coerce the Lancaster School District into signing a resolution to oppose the power plant.
“You have to ask the City of Lancaster if they’re so concerned about the effects of emissions on schoolchildren, why did they approve two new shopping centers directly across the street from Quartz Hill High School?” asked Palmdale’s Communications Manager John Mlynar. “Either the City of Lancaster is disingenuous about its health ‘concerns’ regarding the Palmdale Power Plant, or, using Crist’s words, they are intentionally trying to kill Quartz Hill High School students by allowing such ‘gross polluters’ to operate next to the high school.”
“The Palmdale Power Plant is going to have an enormous positive impact on the entire Antelope Valley,” said Ledford. “In addition to creating up to 800 construction jobs for up to 3 years, there will be 35 permanent jobs at the plant itself and dozens of support jobs stemming from the plant. Plus, it will infuse an estimated $5 million into the local economy each year, generate $6 million dollars a year in taxes for the County of Los Angeles, provide for 4-6 miles of road paving, pay for a $20 million dollar reclaimed water interconnect between Palmdale and Lancaster, help California reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and provide a stable source of clean reliable energy for decades. I could not be more proud to support a power plant that will help lead California forward and put us on the track to a more sustainable energy future.”
About the Fact/Fiction PR Series:
In an attempt to dispel continuous misinformation from external sources, the City of Palmdale has created a fact or fiction series of press releases. The goal of this series is to clarify any false statements or distortions of the truth.
For more information on the Palmdale Power Plant, visit www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/palmdale.
Previous related stories:
Public forums on proposed Palmdale Power Plant
Palmdale Power Plant obtains transfer emission reduction credits
BizFed urges AVAQMD Board to support Palmdale Power Plant
VIDEO: Lancaster opposition continues Palmdale Power Plant
Palmdale Power Plant drawing support from elected officials, community leaders
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