4 days ago
National City fuel station meeting postponed due to concerns raised by California Coastal Commission
NATIONAL CITY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A controversial fuel transfer station was set to go before the National City planning commission, but in the final hour before the meeting Monday night, the item was pulled from the agenda.
'We already have pollution that is too high level, so whatever things they've approved in the past, they've already exceeded the limit,' Bradley Bang said.
National City residents packed the commission meeting ready to rally against a proposed fuel transfer facility, but their efforts were cut short.
City staff addressed a last minute, lengthy letter from the coastal commission which included a request to postpone the hearing based on concerns surrounding sea level rise, wetland resources and environmental justice.
Local business owner Luisa McCarthy also brought forward letters from the California Air Resources Board she believes were also not disclosed.
'Where it stipulates in bold about how the project will further expose residents to elevated levels of pollution,' McCarthy said.
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The project is planned near Cleveland Avenue and 19th Street at the BNSF rail station.
If eventually approved by city council, the facility would run 24/7 with about 70 trucks coming through daily to pick up renewable fuels like diesel and ethanol from trains and then make nearby deliveries.
'It is within half a mile of Kimball Elementary school. It's within less than that of residence and McKinley Apartments that live right there. Residents and an elementary school that have some of the highest rates of asthma throughout San Diego County,' said Jose Franco Garcia, Executive Director for the Environmental Health Coalition.
Meantime, members of the Laborers San Diego Local 89 are in support of the fuel station. They have an agreement to work on construction if the project goes through.
USD Clean fuels issued a statement saying in part, it is 'confident this project will be beneficial for National City, the greater San Diego area, and California. By bringing clean fuels to an existing railroad site, our project will create a more efficient and sustainable infrastructure in National City and the surrounding region.'
The planning commission's next meeting is scheduled for July 21, which is likely the earliest the project will be back on the agenda for full consideration.
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