Ladera Hope Comes Out of Its ‘Quiet Period’ to Accuse
SDG&E of Not Being Truthful About the Peaker Plant
By Kim Sprague,
May 14 -- Several hundred residents packed into the Ladera Ranch Elementary multi-purpose room Tuesday evening, May 13, anxious to be updated regarding the proposed Margarita peaker plant. The community group known as, Ladera Hope, was finally able to share the information gathered during the past two months of fact finding, a "quiet period" in which both parties agreed to refrain from public comment.
Elizabeth Hall (shown in photo on the right), Ladera Hope Board President, received thunderous applause when she announced that the County of Orange Board of Supervisors has determined that the CEQA process was not followed properly, and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and Wellhead Margarita, the company contracted by SDG&E to build the peaker plant, will need to start fresh in submitting plans for the legal permit approvals to build the plant.
Ladera Hope volunteers went on to explain that the County had found SDG&E to be deceptive in many areas, including their physical depiction of the plant, their intent to expand the plant, the environmental impact, and the lack of public notification.
Many residents were shocked when told that SDG&E had already put requests out to contractors to double the size of the plant and expand its usage, although in a postcard sent to the homes of Ladera Ranch residents, SDG&E and Wellhead said they would sign an agreement not to expand the site.
After sharing findings with the crowd, the Ladera Hope Board took questions from residents in attendance. At one point, the questions became directed at LARMAC Board Members, Jeff Blugrind and Jim Schmitt, LARMAC board members in attendance, although Jim Schmitt said he was attending as a reporter for the Ladera Times and that the LARMAC Board had designated Jeff to speak on behalf of the board on the peaker issue.
Residents wanted more information about LARMACS knowledge and responsibility regarding the power plant, asking specifically if LARMAC "surpluses," collected from homeowner association dues, could be used to pay for the legal costs of the Ladera Hope lawsuit.
Jeff said the funds were not surpluses but reserves earmarked for specific purposes as outlined and required by state law, but promised to take the group’s questions back to the LARMAC Board.
Ladera Hope made it clear that they believe LARMAC was misled by SDG&E, as was the 
While good legal arguments were presented, Ladera Hope reminded the crowd that it would take a concerted financial effort to take on SDG&E in the courtroom. Sign up sheets were available for residents to join volunteer committees, as well as commit to financial support.
While the peaker plant issue has caused some division in the community, everyone was unified in their concern for Chuck Gibson (shown in the photo on the left at an earlier meeting), a Ladera Hope Board Member and President of the Ladera Ranch Transportation Club, who left the meeting early via ambulance. Chuck had felt chest pains just after speaking to the crowd, and was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Later in the meeting, word was given that Chuck was released and is doing well and resting at home.
(Editor's Note: More on this story will be published in the June 2008 issue of the Ladera Times, to be delivered to every home, business, and apartment complex on Thursday, May 29.)
'Critical' Ladera Hope Public Meeting at 7:00 pm this Evening
May 13 -- It appears as if talks between Ladera Hope and Wellhead Margartia and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) have broken off as Ladera Hope, a group of residents that has filed suit against Orange County to stop or move the gas-fired 48 KW peaker plant proposed for the distribution substation property across from Ladera Ranch, has announced a public meeting beginning at 7:00 pm tonight, Tuesday, May 13, in the Ladera Ranch Elementary School’s Multipurpose Room at 29551 Sienna Parkway. The announcement by Ladera Hope promises to provide residents with "critical information" and states, "The fight is on!" In its application for a permit to build and operate the peaker plant, Wellhead has said it expects to operate the peaker plant, which will service 30,000
Noise Level Tests Conducted at Proposed Peaker Plant Site;
Residents Encouraged to Tour the Site and Hear for Themselves
May 9-10 -- Wellhead Margarita, which has been commissioned by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to build a peaker plant at an existing SDG&E substation in a field across Antonio Parkway from Ladera Ranch, continues noise simulation tests at the site from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm today, Saturday, May 10. The tests, being conducted by Alliance Acoustical Consultants, an independent noise measurement and management firm, began yesterday, Friday, May 9 from 1:00 to 7:00 pm. The tests consist of an elevated speaker at the back of the lot where the peaker plant would be located emitting sound equivalent to what Wellhead and SDG&E expect to be emitted from the plant (photo on right). Noise monitoring equipment has has been placed at various locations to record the noise levels. As observed by Jim Schmitt, Editor and Publisher of the Ladera Times, who visited the site on Friday, the noise level 100 feet from the speaker averaged 70 decibels. At 200 feet, the noise level dropped off to an average of 60 decibels. The noise level on Antonio Parkway was in the neighborhood of 70 decibels when cars were passing by, but dropped to under 40 decibels from ambient noise in the area when there were no cars. However, noise from the test speaker was undetectible primarily because the noise is shielded by a high hill separating the substation property from Ladera Ranch. Residents are encouraged by Wellhead and SDG&E to visit the proposed peaker plant site during the testing today and hear for themselves. The entrance to the plant is located on the northbound lane of Antonio Parkway between O'Neill Drive and Avendale Boulevard. Visitors to the site are urged to use extra caution while driving on the site and entering and leaving the site. A group known as Ladera Hope has filed a lawsuit against Orange County to stop or move the gas-fired 48 KW peaker plant over concerns about health, environmental, aesthetic, and noise issues with the plant. Read related story directly above. To read prior stories on this issue, click on "Peaker Plant." Related websites include: www.laderahope.org, and www.margaritaenergy.com. Principals Involved in Peaker Plant Talks Extend Negotiations
According to a report by Bo Kelleher of www.LaderaPortal.com, negotiations between Ladera Hope and Wellhead Margartia and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), have been extended indifinitely while the parties continue their fact-finding mission. The orginial date for completion of talks between the groups was April 22. Ladera Hope is a group of residents that has filed suit against Orange County to stop or move the gas-fired 48 KW peaker plant proposed for the distribution substation property across from Ladera Ranch. Wellhead has been commissioned by SDG&E to provide electricity during peak demand periods. Wellhead has said it expects to operate the peaker plant, which will service 30,000 South Orange County homes, only 200 hours a year. However the permit application says it can operate as much as 2,400 hours a year. Residents who are fighting the plant are concerned about health, environmental, aesthetic, and noise issues with the plant. To read prior stories on this issue, click on "Peaker Plant." Related websites include: www.laderahope.org, and www.margaritaenergy.com.
Picketers Protest Construction of Peaker Plant Near Ladera
A group of Ladera Ranch residents picketed on Antonio Parkway across from the proposed peaker plant from 5:00 to 6:00 pm on April 14. The picketers may be a splinter group from the Ladera Hope, the organization that has filed suit against Light Turnout for 12-Hour Open House to Discuss Peaker Plant;
Ladera Hope's Elizabeth Hall Subject of Feature on KOCE-TV
A total of 160 residents turned out on April 1 for an Open House to discuss the impact of construction of a proposed peaker plant across Antonio Parkway from Ladera Ranch. The the gas-fired, electric generating peaker plant is designed to provide electricity during peak demand periods and is expected to operate only 200 hours a year, although it would be permitted to run up to 2,400 hours a year. The Open House, held from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm at the Flintridge Clubhouse, was sponsored by Ladera Hope, a group of concerned residents that has filed suit to move the power plan. On hand to make presentations and meet with residents to answer questions and address concerns were representatives from organizations involved with the project, including Wellhead Margarita, the company that will build and operate the power plant; San Diego Gas & Electric, which contracted Wellhead to provide electricity during peak electric demand periods; and the Orange County Fire Authority, as well as noise control, risk management, landscaping, and aesthetics experts. The Open House consisted of half-hour presentations on the hour throughout the day, followed by group and one-on-one question and answer periods. A postcard announcing the public meeting was mailed to every home in Ladera Ranch. Those attending the sessions consisted of residents who were flat out opposed to the peaker plant not matter what and residents who wanted to learn more about the project before making up their minds. During the afternoon, Elizabeth Hall, President of Ladera Hope, was interviewed on camera by David Nazar for an "Real Orange" in depth news story that aired on KOCE-TV (Channel 10 on Cox Cable) on April 2 and April 3 (photo above). 'Not in Ladera Ranch' Was the Prevailing Attitude about
Proposed Peaker Plant at March 6 AQMD Public Meeting
Despite test results showing emissions from the 48-KW natural gas-fueled peaker electric generating plant proposed to be built across Antonio Parkway from Ladera Ranch were substantially below the limits set by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), many of those in attendance at a March 6 public meeting were not convinced.
The meeting was held by the AQMD in the the Multi-Purpose Room of Ladera Ranch Elementary School, drawing 300 attendees (photo above), or about half the number that turned out for a protest meeting against the peaker plant held at the same location six weeks earlier by a group of residents that call themselves "Ladera Hope." In protest to the plant being built near Ladera Ranch, Ladera Hope filed a law suit against Orange County on January 2 to force relocation of the electric power plant.
Wellhead Power Margarita has been contracted to build and run the peaker unit for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to provide electric power during peak demand periods such as were experienced when the wildfires swept through the area last fall and during summer heat waves when everyone is indoors with their air conditioners running. The plant is expected to operate only 200 hours a year, according to Wellhead, but would be permitted to operate as many as 2,456 hours a year. It will provide peak demand electricity to about 30,000 homes.
After a brief presentation by Mohsen Nazemi, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer of AQMD, listing the agency’s findings about the proposed plant, the floor was opened up to a public question and answer session and speaker after speaker stepped to the mike stating that they simply did not want the facility built near Ladera Ranch.
One speaker said that if a tanker truck bringing aqueous (diluted) ammonia to the site were to rupture the net effect on Ladera Ranch would be "worse than Hurricane Katrina," despite having been told that aqueous ammonia was highly diluted and did not pose the same hazard as undiluted ammonia.
When Mr. Nazemi said that a tanker truck full of gasoline making a delivery to the gas station just down Antonio Parkway from the proposed peaker plant posed a much greater hazard, the speaker said, "We don’t have control over the gasoline truck, but you (AQMD) can stop the peaker plant." Mr. Nazemi said the AQMD was only responsible for reviewing the application for the facility and that if the peaker plant met the emissions standards of the AQMD, the necessary permits will be issued.
Another speaker, who presented herself as a real estate expert, blamed the recent downturn in real estate prices in Ladera Ranch on the proposed peaker plant, despite the nationwide collapse in the residential real estate market.
A third speaker summed up the general sentiment of many in the gather when he said that, despite the fact that he himself drives an SUV, he simply did not want the peaker plant built near Ladera Ranch, leading to a tumultuous applause from many in the audience. He added that, if the plant is built, it would affect Ladera Ranch’s nationwide reputation for being a "green" community. "You might as well name the city something other than ‘Ladera Ranch,’" he told the gathering.
Among other statistics that show the emissions from the proposed peaker plant would be substantially below those of the AQMD, considered to have the most stringent air quality standard in the United States if not the world, the risk for cancer from the plant was .001 persons in a million (or .000025 persons for Ladera Ranch’s population of about 25,000), according to Mr. Nazemiu. He said the risk of non-cancerous health affects was .022 persons in a million (or .00055 persons in Ladera Ranch).
Trying to put the risks associated with the peaker plant in perspective with other environmental risks, Mr. Nazemi said the cancer risk from other typical sources were much higher, citing a dry cleaner at 10 persons per million, gas stations in Ladera Ranch at 2 persons per million, and a typical large power plant at .5 persons per million, compared to the peaker plant at .001 persons per million at it’s most extreme conditions.
He said the exhaust stack of the proposed peaker plant was reduced by Wellhead Power Margarita to 50 feet to minimize the esthetic impact the facility would have on the community, and added that the amount of aqueous ammonia to be stored on the site was reduced from 18,000 gallons to 4,500 gallons in response to concerns voiced by Ladera Power, which has received funds from Wellhead to hire its own experts and conduct an independent, third-party review of the proposed peaker plant.
Leading off the question and answer session was Elizabeth Hall (left), head of the Ladera Hope board, who asked the AQMD panel, which included Dr. Barry Wallerstein, AQMD Executive Officer, to explain how the plant would be monitored.Mr. Nazemi said it would be stringently monitored as part of a continuing process. The AQMD has 100 field agents who monitor the facilities with ongoing scheduled and unannounced reviews. Dr. Wallerstein added that residents who detect any problems with the plant would be encouraged to call the AQMD at 800-CUT-SMOG (800-288-7664).
Ms. Hall followed up with a question about how violators would be punished and how the public would learn of any violations. Mr. Nazemi said the agency meets with the violators and strives to extract the most severe penalty, with Dr. Wallerstein adding that violations are posted on the agency’s website – www.aqmd.gov.
Hao Jiang (right), also a member of the Ladera Hope board who has presented himself at several meetings as an electric utility expert, asked why the AQMD allowed carbon monoxide emissions at 4 parts per million (ppm), when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended keeping it at 2 ppm (by way of comparison, automobiles emit 2 to 5 ppm).Mr. Nazemi, said the lower standard, while achievable on larger co-generation power plants, which have their own environmental issues, was not achievable on the smaller gas-generated peaker plant based on current technology.
Mr. Jiang followed up his question by asking if the AQMD would make the standard more stringent if and when the technology came along to lower the 4 ppm of carbon monoxide and was told the agency always reviews its standards based on new technology.
One member of the audience asked why the exhaust stack was set at 50 feet rather than 80-plus feet as most other peaker plants, to which Mr. Nazemi said that Wellhead proposed the 50-foot height to maintain the esthetics of the community while meeting the environmental requirements of the AQMD.
Only a small portion of the stack will appear above the hill that hides the existing distribution station and the proposed peaker plant from the community, according to Wellhead, which has committed to using coloration experts to visually camouflage the small portion of the stack the appears above the horizon.
Dr. Wallerstein told the gathering that the AQMD would give serious consider to the inputs of residents both from the meetings and from those who have written or emailed their concerns before making a decision on whether or not to issue the permits.
The AQMD is the air pollution control agency for all of Orange County and the non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Although one of 35 such agencies in California, AQMD represents about half the population of California.
Among the people in attendance at the public meeting was Orange County 5th District Supervisor Pat Bates, who has taken a personal interest in the project.
During her time at the mike, Ladera Hope’s Elizabeth Hall said the organization has scheduled another meeting at 7:00 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room at the Ladera Ranch Elementary School located at 29551 Sienna Parkway on Tuesday, March 25, adding that more details will be posted on the organization’s website www.laderahope.org.
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Senator Ackerman Issues Op-Ed in Support of Peaker Plant
Republican State Senator Dick Ackerman of California's 33rd District, which includes Ladera Ranch, has issued an Op-Ed piece in support of the 46-megawatt peaker electric power plant planned to to be erected near Ladera Ranch next to San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) substation off Antonio Parkway. "This type of infrastructure facilitates the implementation of the statewide policy of ensuring a reliable supply of electricity. Not only is this good for the State, but it also directly benefits Ladera Ranch because, from an engineering standpoint, the communities and businesses located close to a peaker facilities are much more likely to be the recipient of power from the facility during those times when the need for electricity generation is at its highest," Senator Ackerman said, adding, ". . . any claim that somehow the proposed air emissions of the project have either not been adequately studied or are somehow not safe is unfounded." To read the entire Op-Ed piece, click on "Ackerman Supports Peaker Plant."
'Ladera Hope' Sues Orange County to Stop Peaker Plant
The group known as "Ladera Hope," which claims it represents thousands of Ladera Ranch residents, filed a suit Wednesday, January 2, against Orange County to force relocation of a 46-megawatt peaker electric power plant on the outskirts of Ladera Ranch, which the group says "violates civil rights and environmental laws and could jeopardize health and safety in the area." The group contends the community wasn’t adequately notified even though articles appeared in all newspapers and websites serving Ladera Ranch and an email blast was sent to 9,000 residents announcing plans to build the peaker plant and the dates and times of public meetings where residents could learn more about the facility and voice concerns. “The county was not given appropriate facts and did not act on the appropriate facts,” Michael Leifer, an Irvine attorney representing the residents and Ladera Hope, was quoted as saying in an article in the Orange County Register. “The process used here has shortcut the most basic environmental review required under the California Environmental Quality Act.” Elizabeth Hall, the group’s spokeswoman, was quoted as saying, “It’s frustrating because the community is being portrayed as crybabies. We are up in arms because there will be toxic emissions and toxic ammonia housed on the site in an 18.000-gallon drum.” Hall said residents are concerned the plant could become a terrorist target.
Residents Pack Auditorium to Argue Against the Peaker Plant;
Supervisor Pat Bates Advises Protesters to Sue Orange County
About 600 people packed the Multi-Purpose Room at the Ladera Ranch Elementary School (photo above) on Sienna Parkway Wednesday evening, December 19, for a meeting with Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates (shown right at the podium), who represents the 5th District including Ladera Ranch, and others from the county, to discuss concerns they have over pending construction of a peaker electric power unit in the empty field across Antonio Parkway from Ladera Ranch (see story below). The meeting began at 6:30 pm and ran well past 10:00 pm with people still lining up at the mike to express their disapproval of the project. The gathering appeared to 
be overwhelmingly against the peaker plant, and when anyone stepped up to voice an opinion contrary to that of the majority they were hooted at and shouted down by many in the gathering. Supervisor Bates told the audience she believes there was a failure to communicate the plant effectively and she promised she would hold up the issuing of any final permits until February so that concerned resident have a change to discuss the issues in a public hearing. She did not, however, offer any guarantees that the peaker plant would not be built, cautioning the gathering that if it can't be proved that he facility poses any health, environmemtal, or aesthetic risks to the community it may, in fact, be built. She advised the boisterous crowd to sue the county to stop the plant. Others from the county spoke, but the audience was in no mood to listen to what they had to say and, as the meeting dragged on, people trickled out leaving a small crowd at the end. Organizers of the meeting, who go by the name of "HOPE, For A Safe Ladera," urged the gathering to go to the www.LaderaPower.com website to learn more and sign a petition to stop the plant. It has been widely reported that postings in support of the peaker plant have been routinely removed and many residents have been blocked from the website altogther. The photo above left is from the website. Before people sign the petition, however, they may want to look at one of the postings deleted from the website that reported on the dangers of DiHydrogenMonoxide which the plant would emit. For more details on that, click on the photo above, right. Meetings are planned for the future and will be announced on this website and in the Ladera Times newspaper.
LARMAC Clarifies Its Position Regarding Planned Peaker Unit
At the two public meetings on Thursday, December 13, regarding the gas-generated peaker electric power plant several residents raised the question about the role of the Ladera Ranch Maintenance Corporation (LARMAC). As a result, LARMAC has issued the following statement to clarify its position for the community:
"During this last week, there has been much discussion and confusion regarding the proposed San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) Peaker Unit that is proposed to be built in Ladera Ranch on SDG&E property on the east side of Antonio Parkway at the existing SDG&E Substation. Some of the confusion has come about due to miss statements made during conversations, and presentations that have taken place regarding the Peaker Unit. With this in mind LARMAC would like to clarify the following points:
l. A presentation was made by SDG&E to the LARMAC Board in June 2007. The presentation was an informative process and not an approval process. Comments from that meeting urged SDG&E to communicate clearly and immediately with the residents of Ladera Ranch.
2. Since the proposed Peaker Unit location is not on LARMAC property, this project is not subject to review and approval by LARMAC.
3. The approval process for the Peaker Unit involves the Orange County Planning Commission and the Air Quality Management District for the aesthetics and use function with Rancho Mission Viejo’s input on the aesthetics as well.
4. LARMAC’s legal documents forbid the corporation from participating in any civic or political activities. As such LARMAC becoming involved as a voice for the residents in this matter would be stepping outside of the appropriate scope of duties of LARMAC.
5. This proposed project was widely publicized via the following outlets:
Web sites Newspapers
LaderaLife.com Orange County Register
Laderatimes.com Ladera Post
Laderaportal.com Ladera Times
Trabuco Canyon News
6. Lastly, a public forum was held and hosted by SDG&E in July.
Should there be further questions about the proposed peaker unit, residents are requested to contact Duane Cave with SDG&E at (949) 361-8065 or via email at dcave@semprautilities.com."
80 Residents Attend Two Meetings December 13 to Address Concerns About Peaker Power Plant Earmarked for Substation
About 80 residents turned out for two public meetings on Thursday, December 13, to raise concerns about a natural gas-fired peaker electric power Plant to be erected near the community next to San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) substation off Antonio Parkway. The meetings were held at the Covenant Hills Clubhouse from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm during the day, and from 5:30 to 8:30 pm in the evening at the South Orange County Regional Chambers of Commerce, 26111 Antonio Parkway, Las Flores. The meetings, which were both attended by many of the same people, resulted in a lively give-and-take as residents raised concerns about the impact of the facility on the environment, air quality, noise, community aesthetics, and real estate values being build across Antonio Parkway so close to Ladera Ranch. Many residents at the meetings and on area websites accused SDG&E of keeping the project a secret so as to "sneak it past the public," as one reident put it, but plans for the peaker power plant have been widely communicated in the Orange County Register, the Ladera Times, and the Ladera Post newspapers, on the LaderaPortal, LaderLife, and LaderaTimes.com websites, and in an email blast to residents who are registered on LaderaLife. In addition, several public meetings have been held prior to today. Unlike most power plants that run all the time, the peaker plant is earmarked to provide electrical power during peak demand periods, such as during a heat wave in the summer when everyone has their air conditioners running. For more information about the issue in general, residents are asked to contact Duane Cave, San Diego Gas & Electric at dcave@semprautilities.com or 949.361.8065. SDG&E and Wellhead Power Margarita, the company building the peaker power plant, have pledged from the onset to meet with residents to discuss and address their concerns. To that end, both organizations have agreed to hold as many meetings are necessary to keep everyone fully aware of this project, including the next meeting with an environmental impact expert. The times and places of future meetings will be announced here and in the Ladera Times. For an editorial on this subject that appeared in the September 2007 issue of the Ladera Times, click on September 2007 Publisher's Message. If you wish to comment on this or any other story, click on Feedback.
Related Links
-- Pat Bates Speaks January 2008 Column in the Ladera Times
-- Op-Ed Piece by State Senator Dick Ackerman Supporting Plant
-- On-Line Editorial by Ladera Times Editor and Publisher Jim Schmitt
-- Editorial on Peaker Plant in the September Ladera Times
-- Calendar in August Ladera Times Announcing Peaker Plant Meetings
-- Article in OC Register About the Peaker Plant (reprinted in Ladera Post)
-- News Item on LaderaPortal.com website Servings Ladera Ranch
-- Peaker Plant Photos from Different Vantage Points
-- Ladera Hope Website
-- Wellhead Power Margarita Website