LANCASTER – Palmdale officials, and supporters of the contested Hybrid Power Plant, received their approval for the transfer of critical pollution offset credits by a single vote on Tuesday.
The proposed natural-gas power plant that borders Lancaster is one step closer to being built after the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District board barely approved the purchase of critical pollution offset credits, 4-3, Tuesday.
Tuesday’s six-hour-plus debate of scrutinizing the transfer of emission credits to the local district’s bank was a most contentious demonstration of just how divided constituents are over the prospect of a local power plant that, according to Palmdale officials, will create up to 800 jobs for three years and infuse about $5 million into the Antelope Valley’s economy each year.
The board’s approval of the purchase of $15 million in emission offset credits from the San Joaquin and Mojave valleys weighed the threat of local health hazard concerns against the need for jobs and economic development in the valley.
A 475-capacity theater at Antelope Valley College, leaving standing-room-only space for spectators, was filled with Palmdale and Lancaster stakeholders for the first half of the board’s meeting. However, the crowd thinned out as public opinion and roundabout debate continued over the validity of offset carbon credits being obtained from outside the Antelope Valley.
More details will be provided by the Bee, but the Daily News has more immediate coverage at dailynews.com/environment-and-nature for now.
