Video Transcript:

GLORIA PENNER: On Wednesday, the California Coastal Commission gave the Point Loma Waste Water Treatment Plant another exemption from federal clean water act standards. The move means the city won't have to pay $1.5 billion to upgrade the treatment. So, first of all, let me start with you JW. Why did the Coastal Commission approve another waiver from this upgrading sewage treatment? 

JW AUGUST (Managing Editor, KGTV 10News): I think our mayor did a good job of selling them. They had some time to work behind the scenes. If memory recalls, they said, "No, San Diego, you're not getting another waiver." There was no major change in the program. It's just that I think this city and the people who supported the city were much better prepared. They weren't surprised. I think they were surprised by the first decision. 

GLORIA PENNER: So, you see this as a victory for the mayor? 

DAVID ROLLAND (Editor, San Diego City Beat): Sure. Oh yeah, absolutely. It would have been adding another devastating bill onto the city's costs. But, there's another factor, and that is the environmentalists. Local environmentalists, for San Diego Coast Keeper. They are the ones that have been suing the city over how they treat this sewage. They backed the deal.

PENNER: They did back the deal? 

ROLLAND: Yea, they were on the mayor's side on this one because they want a deal... They think they can get something out of sewage recycling out of this. 

PENNER: Alright, so we're saying that the environmentalists were in favor of this. 

AUGUST: Well, not all of them. Those in the Bay Area. Those nasty little tree-huggers up there.  

ROLLAND: Well, and then in Los Angeles. 

AUGUST: Right. They didn't really care what kind of price we pay. They just wanted clean-up. Let's just teach San Diego. 

PENNER: Alright, so let me ask you both this: At the moment we are saved having to pay $1.5 billion, but is this an issue that will come back and haunt us? What do you think JW? 

AUGUST: Just like the pension fund, it will be with us for a while. It is. I don't think they'll give us another free ride next time. I mean we have to show some dramatic improvements in how we recycle the water, reuse the water, all our efforts at the plant. 

PENNER: Okay. Final comment David? 

ROLLAND: Yea, they have to show... I think they have to show the Coastal Commission that they are moving forward with reducing the amount of pollutants that go into the ocean.