Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich replaced Antelope Valley AQMD board member Vern Lawson with retired LA Planning Commissioner Patricia Russell, second from right, just before Tuesday’s vote to approve emission reduction credit transfers for the proposed Palmdale Power Plant
LANCASTER – In a 4-3 split decision on Tuesday, the governing board for the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District approved emission offset credits from neighboring districts, practically clearing the way for the proposed Palmdale Hybrid Power Plant’s construction and operation.
But the stage was already set – so to speak – before the more-than-six-hour meeting took place at the Antelope Valley College Performing Arts Theatre in Lancaster.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich on Monday replaced Antelope Valley AQMD board member Vern Lawson Jr., who serves as Lancaster’s Economic Development Director, with retired LA County Planning Commissioner Patricia Russell from Palmdale.
The last-minute change in the board’s lineup drew heated criticism from those who publicly oppose the Palmdale Power Plant – namely Lancaster officials who contend that the proposed project will negatively impact the health and economy of its citizens.
“It’s not uncommon for us to ask the supervisor to act. What’s uncommon is for him to act. And he’s done so by doing this,” AVAQMD Chair Marvin Crist, Lancaster’s Vice Mayor, said at Tuesday’s meeting before a standing-room-only crowd in the theater.
The change on the board’s roster swung the vote successfully to supporters of the Palmdale Power Plant, with the offset purchases receiving board approval from Palmdale Mayor Jim C. Ledford Jr., Palmdale Councilman Mike Dispenza, and county representatives Ron Hawkins and Patricial Russell.
Those challenging the inter-basin transfer of emission reduction credits from the Mojave Desert AQMD and the the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District included Crist, Lancaster Councilman Ken Mann, and public member Newton Chelette.
Tony Bell, Assistant Chief Deputy for Antonovich, told the Bee in an email on Thursday that the supervisor’s eleventh-hour decision was to avoid a potential conflict of interest on the air quality district board.
“After a long and intensive review of all aspects of this project, the best course of action was to choose an appointee that would ensure that the process was sound and with no appearance of conflict,” Bell said. “As a longtime, active and highly-respected Valley resident and past member of the Los Angeles County Planning Commission, Pat is extremely knowledgeable on Antelope Valley issues and the significance of projects that impact the region.”
During public comment, Dr. Paul Chappell, President of West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, outlined his concerns with Lawson’s removal, saying it was worthy of further pause in the bitter debate over the power plant.
“For 28 years I have had the highest respect for Michael Antonovich … But I’m very perplexed at what has been done with respect to Vern Lawson – having overseen so many multi-million-dollar building programs,” Chappell told the board. “I’ve always wanted to have our board in continuity through those processes – people who have sat in numerous, numerous meetings to understand the complex issues that you guys are discussing today, and I cannot comprehend removing someone with that background from the meeting.”
Palmdale Councilman Steven D. Hofbauer also addressed the board during public comment, agreeing with Antonovich’s decision to remove a potential conflict of interest on the board.
“I think the supervisor did the board, the city and this whole process a favor,” Hofbauer said. “He’s removed a potential for a conflict to come up later down the line. There can’t be a debate if Vern voted one way or voted another way. That issue is off the table at this point. So I think that’s what the supervisor may have been looking at, trying to maintain a credibility in the process.”
Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris brought Lawson onto the stage at the beginning of the meeting – even before the board had the opportunity to swear-in Russell. Parris applauded Lawson’s 15 years of service to the AVAQMD board and bemoaned his dismissal.
“Vern Lawson has done more for this community, as far as bringing in businesses, as far as creating jobs, than anybody on this stage,” Parris told the public. “And then, less than 24 hours ago, (the deputy for the supervisor) calls Mr. Lawson and says the supervisor is supporting the power plant – and so he’s firing him from the AVQMD.”
Clapping and shouts erupted from the public, causing Parris to regather his thoughts for a response.
“This is a day that I am ashamed that I ever decided to get into this mess,” he told the public. He then addressed Lawson, saying, “You do not treat people the way you have been treated; you are a hero of this community. The City of Lancaster loves you. It is dispicable what the supervisor has done to you.”
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The next step for the proposed Palmdale Hybrid Power Plant is for the city and energy project developer Summit Energy LLC to acquire a power purchase agreement with Southern California Edison and other power retailers. Officials then may begin construction on the plant as soon as those agreements are in place and investors are assured that the power will be purchased.
For more information on the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District, visit avaqmd.ca.gov.
Learn more about the Palmdale Power Plant at energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/palmdale.
