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Chula Vista Group Rallies Against Power Plant Expansion

An environmental group is against the expansion of a small power plant in Chula Vista. They say the existing plant should be removed and a new one built elsewhere. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

An environmental group is against the expansion of a small power plant in Chula Vista. They say the existing plant should be removed and a new one built elsewhere. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

MMC Energy wants to double the capacity of its gas-fired peaker plant on Main Street in southwest Chula Vista.

The facility is used when energy demand increases. Some neighbors say the plant is too close to homes and an elementary school.

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Leo Miras with the Environmental Health Coalition is against the upgrade. He says the expanded plant would produce cleaner power.

But Miras says the upgrade allows it to run more often, potentially putting out as much pollution as the existing plant.

Miras: There are other ways to get that energy that doesn't mean having these polluting plants 350 feet from homes and 1300 feet from a school.

The city says it's reached an agreement with MMC to resolve concerns with the expansion.

Miras says the agreement does not represent any meaningful change. He wants the City Council to reconsider its support for the project.

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Ed Joyce, KPBS News.