PALMDALE – For the fourth time in recent weeks the City of Palmdale has responded publicly to “erroneous comments” made by Lancaster city officials. For the third time in a row, the issue involves the Palmdale Hybrid Power Plant.
In a press release issued Tuesday (July 16), Palmdale officials cited the California Energy Commission’s Final Decision, which states: “There is no competent evidence in this record that PHPP poses any threat to the health of the public in general, or to residents of Lancaster in particular.” Read Palmdale’s latest press release below:
Fact vs. Fiction, Part 4 – CEC Final Decision States Palmdale Power Plant Poses No Threat to Lancaster Residents, Claims by Lancaster Officials Refuted by EPA and CEC
PALMDALE – The misinformation campaign led by R. Rex Parris and Marvin Crist against the Palmdale Power Plant was dealt yet another sobering blow as both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Energy Commission (CEC) have through statements and documentation proven their claims to be completely unfounded.
Parris, who said in an Antelope Valley Press article on April 20, 2011 that the construction of Palmdale’s power plant “could be akin to the disastrous launch of the space shuttle Challenger,” claimed in a television interview on June 21 with Time Warner Cable that the EPA stated “that type of power plant will kill people with emphysema, COPD… all of the diseases that are present in Lancaster.”
Not so, according to the CEC’s Final Decision, which addressed the City of Lancaster specifically in regards to health issues. The FACT is, that in the Public Health section, 6.3-12, the record states: “There is no competent evidence in this record that PHPP poses any threat to the health of the public in general, or to residents of Lancaster in particular.”
Furthermore, in the same television interview in which Parris made his false claim, Gerado Rios, a Chief with the EPA’s Pacific Southwest, Region 9 said, “we referenced an environmental justice analysis where we look at health standards and the impacts, to see if there … would be any disproportional impacts in the area, and we showed that because a standard was not going to be exceeded, there would not be any disproportionate impacts in the area. …So as far as I’m concerned, or as far as I know… this is the cleanest power plant the EPA has permitted in the country.”
In the CEC’s Final Decision, Air Quality section, Conclusions of Law, 6.2-35 the record states: “The Commission therefore concludes that implementation of the Conditions of Certification, below, and the mitigation measures described in the evidentiary record, will ensure that the PHPP conforms with all applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and standards relating to air quality.”
Crist, as reported in the May 21 edition of the Antelope Valley Press, described the power plant as creating “hundreds of tons of pollution killing our kids. We can only pollute the Valley’s air to a certain degree. When this power plant uses 80 percent of that amount for 35 jobs, it’s not worth it. If it was 1,000 permanent jobs, I would certainly rethink my position.”
His claims were also refuted by the CEC’s Final Decision, Air Quality section, Conclusions of Law, 6.2-35, which states “Implementation of the Conditions of Certification …ensures that the project will not result in any significant direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts to air quality.”
“They keep going and going and going with their misinformation, just like the Energizer Bunny,” said Palmdale City Councilmember Steve Hofbauer. “From accusations of killing minority children in East Lancaster, to an imaginary six mile high mystery cloud of pollution that somehow travels to soccer fields and schools is unsubstantiated by the facts brought forth by the CEC and EPA. The truth is that this project is in full compliance with all health and air quality regulations, which in California, by the way, are the highest standards in the world.”
“The City of Palmdale could not be more proud of gaining a clean power plant for all residents of the Antelope Valley,” said Palmdale Public Works Director Mike Mischel. “It will undeniably create much needed jobs and power right here at home.”
Palmdale has now created a Fact Vs. Fiction pamphlet “in an attempt to dispel continuous misinformation from external sources” and to “clarify any truth distortions” about the Palmdale Hybrid Power Plant (PHPP), according to city officials. View the pamphlet here.
Read the CEC’s Final Decision in full here. For more information on the Palmdale Hybrid Power Plant Project, visit http://www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/palmdale/.
Previous related stories:
Palmdale responds to hybrid power plant controversy, again
Palmdale responds to hybrid power plant controversy
The voice of reason (one of them) says
If R. Rex Parris was told that he would not be able to air condition his home unless this plant was built, we would have never heard a word out of him. I believe that since he has insisted on spreading false and/or unverified information he should have to foot the bill for all of the “pamphlets” that Palmdale has had to produce in order to re-assure their citezens that they are safe. This could even go so far as Mr. Parris being accused of attempting to incite civil unrest, using false information. As for the Reporter that is getting payed by him (come on you know it’s true) He is guilty of “yellow journalism” and should be stripped of his press pass, as well as his job. Go green energy!!!
Michael Rives says
Last Tuesday night, I opposed another solar energy project before the Lancaster city council. I have opposed every project they have partnered on for years. I also oppose the Palmdale Power Plant. As I said before the Lancaster city council, ” Both cities have no business in the power business.”
Genius says
Why does a small town like Lancaster have a Vice Mayor? Was he elected or appointed by Rex to serve as his mouth piece. I have lived in bigger cities and had not seen this in city government. Did they run as a team? Is Crist being groomed to run for Mayor? Is that why he is the one speaking about this power plant issue? Did he speak up about chemtrails and possible pollution or is his concern new?
Green is a cover-up says
Marvin Crist is a RAT. Do not ever forget it if you think you can trust this self server.
Doc Rivers says
This is what the Lancaster backed Richard Loa wants. He is backed by Rex Parris and a fellow trial attorney only he defends scumbags as a defense Attorney. We all need to be wary of what agenda Parris will mandate he carry for the monetary support he will receive. Loa is the far right and former President of AVRA which happens to be Frank Viscos republican club. The Hispanic community should be very afraid of this man. He is no friend of Palmdale Hispanics.
Green is a cover-up says
Richard Loa is hard core Republican first and community last. I agree that he is no friend of the Hispanic community. He just wants to slid in under the radar. BEWARE
Barry Bigtoe says
Why is this project at the furthest Northern point away from Palmdale when all the pipes and wires will have to go through Palmdale to destinations South of the city? Could it be that the steam plume will only darken the sunlight upon Lancaster properties North of the plume? I would think that at the horrid cost of running huge gas piplines and high tension power lines, that building a power plant 6 miles closer to the utility destinations would be smarter. And if your plant makes clouds that annoy Palmdale residents, at least your dog is dumping on YOUR front lawn and not your neighbors.
William says
Have you made similar complaints when Lancaster approved a Walmart across from Quartz Hill High School?
Have you made similar complaints when Lancaster approved solar farms that have caused dust problems for residents in nearby areas?
Or, are you simply a hypocrite?
Notagain says
HA HA HAAAA! THATS EXACTLY WUT I SAID!! REXY POOH WANTS TO TELL OTHERS THIS AN THAT BUT DIDN’T CARE FOR US QUARTZ HILL RESIDENTS!!! HE CAN’T EVEN GET A GRIP ON HIS CITY’S PROBLEMS!!! LOL
Green is a cover-up says
This person does not get it, I bet this is Mayor Parris because these are the same lame reasons he uses. It is obvious he has not read the analysis. This also could be Marvin (the RAT) Crist because he also does not understand what he uses for reasons is also very lame. What goes around comes around.
William says
Something’s rotten in Lancaster. When are the voters gonna toss these 2 overboard?
Do the voters think these are the only lies they are being told?
Apparently, the ‘Get Parris Out Of Lancaster’ Facebook page really got to the Rex. Go visit it and add to it.
If you are a Lancaster resident and the BLVD isn’t the greatest thing since sliced bread for you, what else has he done for ya?
Fed Up! says
First off the city needs to change their election schedule to the general state wide schedule. This won’t happen cuz Rex has Lancaster Baptist in his back pocket and where all there votes come from including Crist and the others.
William says
This is like one of those movies where a ‘boss’ owns the town and his goons keep everyone in line. We’ve all seen them and they all seemed to take place in some backwoods areas in various parts of the country but not here in California.
Well, time for a remake of those old movies.
dumbandblind says
Why are they so concerned about an “imaginary six mile high mystery cloud of pollution” yet never an outrage about the chemtrails all over the Antelope Valley. http://mannyrivers.wordpress.com/antelope-valley-chemtrails-news/
AVer says
Some lunatic creates a website, snaps a bunch of pictures with his cell phone, and thinks everyone is being bombarded with chemicals from the gov’t? Wow. See kids? That’s what taking drugs does to your brain.
Greg says
It still will require the removal of a substantial section of Joshua trees in that area. Several thousand trees to be more exact. There is also wildlife in that particular forest.
I just find it odd that the AV is in a Desert Conservation zone yet many of the zones natural areas get flattened, radically changed, etc without so much as a cough.
William says
You are probably living on property where there were Joshua trees yourself.
John Mlynar says
Hi Greg:
A Joshua Tree Preservation Area has been set up at the southwest corner of our 600 acre site. All the trees needed to be preserved pursuant to City Ordinance for the PPP as well as the buildout of the remainder of the 600 acres will occur there. Trees will be transplanted to this easement area and preserved in perpetuity.
Another QHR says
Build your power plant, but move it way to the outskirts of the city. Do not encroach on the Plant 42 airspace. The city is caring less and less about it’s Defense contractors as evidenced by the AV bringing in foreign businesses-which will surely have a secondary mission (or primary?) of spying on our technology advancements.
Jay says
Times change, The Defense industry is no longer the same to keep up we need to change.And no ! Stop with your spying conspiracies.
John Mlynar says
The land was sold to the city by Lockheed, a Plant 42 contractor.
In the California Energy Commission’s Final Decision, under Air Quality, 6.2-33, it states: The Department of the Air Force and the Plant 42 contractors (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman) submitted an official statement on July 8, 2011 to the effect that they have not identified any issues or impacts to
their programs and operations at Plant 42 from the PHPP.
The record reflects that the U.S. Air Force Plant 42 has been consulted and participated in the PHPP throughout the AFC process (i.e., Ex. 114).
Read all about the power plant here: http://www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/palmdale
jkpalmdale says
John there you go posting Facts LOL.. Those who oppose the power plant do not care about the facts. And Mayor Parris has NO business involved and he really needs to stop talking about. Just because he wants an Eco Commie Green Utopia, he needs to care about Lancaster. Just like he needs to get out of the suit against Palmdale over our elections
Notagain says
MR REX AN HIS TEAM NEEDS TO WORRY ABOUT THE CRIME RATE ON HIS SIDE OF THE BORDER!!! LETS FOCUS ON OUR COMMUNITY! REX WANTS THIS AN THAT BUT HE SURE DIDN’T CARE FOR WHAT THE RESIDENTS OF QUARTZ HILL WANTED!!! THANKS REXY POOH! OHH AN BY THE WAY,,,, HOW’S YOUR $90,000 PROJECT COMING A LONG? IAM SURE WITH THEM FUEL PRICES GOING UP NOW IT’S BECOME A $100,000 PROJECT!!!
Fed Up! says
Don’t think he’s sold any to other cities!