Greenaction and Community Groups Denounce “Action Plan” to Allegedly Close Power Plants

For Immediate Release

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November 9, 2004
Greenaction and Community Groups Denounce “Action Plan” to Allegedly Close Hunters Point & Potrero Power Plants

Backroom Deal Allows Continued Operation of Polluting Power Plants
Contact: Marie Harrison, Greenaction for Health & Environmental Justice (415) 248-5010
Tessie Ester, Huntersview Tenants Association (415) 821-2873

San Francisco, CA -- Residents and community groups were shocked and dismayed by anannouncement by Mayor Newsom and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission that theCity had reached an agreement with the California Independent System Operator to allegedlyclose the PG&E Hunters Point and Mirant Power Plants by 2007.

Contrary to claims that this deal will close the power plants, it in fact pushes back the promisedclosure date for the PG&E power plant, and contains absolutely no guarantees whatsoever thateither the PG&E Hunters Point power plant or Mirant’s Potrero plant will be closed. Bothcompanies can apply for new permits and would be allowed to continue operating even if theCalifornia ISO removes the “reliability must run contracts.”

“How stupid do they think we are?” asked Marie Harrison, Greenaction Community Organizerfor Bayview Hunters Point. “They’ve extended the life of this killer plant one more time andthey’re crowing about it. Not only will this deal not guarantee closure of these dirty plants, butthe date for the PG&E Hunters Point plant has just been unacceptably extended.

”Southeast San Francisco Community groups were dismayed that Supervisor Sophie Maxwell would endorsed such a plan. “We’ve been sold down the river by our leaders. We’re very disappointed in her for lying to us this way. Has she forgotten that she lives in our community too?” asked Tessie Ester, President of the Huntersview Tenants Association. “Frankly, I’m just disgusted with our City.

”Greenaction and Community Groups announced that in response to this outrageousdevelopment, we will hold a community action at the front gate of the PG&E Hunters PointPower Plant on December 8, 2004 at 12 noon to demand immediate closure of the plant