PALMDALE – The Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed), which represents over 185,000 businesses and 2.5 million employees, is the latest organization to come out in support of the Palmdale Power Plant, city officials announced Wednesday.
In their letter to the Governing Board Members of the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD), BizFed urged the backing of the Board for the project. (Read the letter here.)
“On behalf of BizFed—representing over 100 business groups with more than 250,000 business owners across our region— we are writing to support the proposed Palmdale Power Plant as a vitally needed project that will improve reliability of our region’s energy system.”
“This project will produce nearly 600 MW of electricity—and will help hold down the costs of generating electricity system-wide. The project also achieves co-equal goals of environmental and economic advances. The Conditions of Certification ensure the project will neither result in, nor contribute substantially to, any significant direct, indirect, or cumulative adverse environmental impacts.”
“Meanwhile, it will bring enormous benefits to the Antelope Valley including more than 600 skilled, union construction jobs; 35 direct, permanent jobs; 4 to 6 miles of paved roads; and construction of a $20 million reclaimed water trunk line which will benefit both Palmdale and Lancaster.”
“We’re pleased and honored to have an organization with the kind of prestige as BizFed has to support the Palmdale Power Plant,” said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford. “They join the overwhelming majority of organizations and citizens who understand what this project means to the residents of the Antelope Valley and to the State of California. They see how this project meets both the energy and environmental needs and goals, and realize how important this project is in making renewable energy projects viable, especially during peak usage periods.”
“BizFed urges your support of this project, and looks forward to working with you toward approval,” the letter concluded.
With the closure of the San Onofre Power Plant and pressure to close older, less efficient power plants, the Palmdale Power Plant will fill a huge energy producing void that is facing the state, according to Palmdale city officials. The Los Angeles Times reported on Oct. 13 that “California Energy Commission Chairman Robert Weisenmiller recalled that Governor Jerry Brown cornered him in August and bluntly warned him to ‘make sure the lights don’t go out down there’ in Southern California.”
“The Palmdale Power Plant will help ensure that the lights stay on,” Ledford added.
Some of the members of BizFed include the Antelope Valley Board of Trade, Building Industry Association – LA/Ventura, California Contract Cities Association, Chinese Chamber of Commerce LA, Construction Industry Air Quality Coalition, Construction Industry Coalition on Water Quality, Employers Group, FuturePorts, Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC), League of California Cities, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., National Latina Business Women Association of Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership, The Valley Economic Alliance, United Chambers of Commerce – SFV, Valley Economic Development Center, and many more.
BizFed is the latest group to endorse the Palmdale Power Plant. Other notable supporters include the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAECD), State Senator Steve Knight, Assemblymember Steve Fox, Board of Equalization Member George Runner, Palmdale Chamber of Commerce, A.V. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, A.V. African American Chamber of Commerce, Palmdale Recycled Water Authority and the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council.
(Information via press release from the city of Palmdale.)
Previous related stories:
Palmdale Power Plant gains support of Palmdale Recycled Water Authority
LA Economic Development Corp. supports Palmdale Power Plant
VIDEO: Lancaster opposition continues Palmdale Power Plant
Palmdale Power Plant drawing support from elected officials, community leaders
Palmdale: Power Plant no threat to Air Force Plant 42
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Jason Zink says
The problem from day one is its called the Palmdale Power Plant not AV. It effects everone in AV who lives here and only truly benefits outsiders!!!!
This is why we need an Antelope Valley Community Service District (AVCSD) so we have control of our on destiny and every AV citizen is represented. THANK GOD for the AV AIR BOARD!!!! To bring light onto this self interest proposal.
Newman says
I think this is a bad idea.
dumbandblind says
Would this help out the public’s unsustainable electricity bills?
Nick says
Has the solar panels? Nope