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Environment

South Bay Power Plant Foes Get Another Hearing

South Bay Power Plan Foes Get Another Hearing
A coalition of elected officials and environmentalists continued its effort Wednesday to force the removal of the South Bay Power Plant in Chula Vista. The group used a regional water board meeting to make its case.

A coalition of elected officials and environmentalists continued its effort Wednesday to force the removal of the South Bay Power Plant in Chula Vista. The group used a regional water board meeting to make its case.

The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board approved minor modifications to the power plant's water discharge permit.

The permit allows Houston-based Dynegy to operate two of four units through the end of next year.

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The remaining two units will be shut down at the end of this month and 28 people will lose their jobs.

The board also directed staff to prepare for a public hearing next March to consider rescinding the discharge permit.

Gabe Solmer with San Diego Coastkeeper says the board will consider how the plant's discharge affects the bay ecosystem.

"It reflects the board's understanding that this is a huge issue for South Bay and that these impacts are continuing," said Solmer. "And that they are going to address them."

A coalition of elected officials, environmentalists and South Bay residents says the plant's electricity isn't needed and the facility should be demolished.