GLENDALE SCHOLL CANYON LANDFILL BIOGAS PLANT
NEIGHBORHOOD ALERT : LVAA SUPPORTS GLENDALE NEIGHBORS’ OPPOSITION TO SCHOLL CANYON LANDFILL BIOGAS (POWER) PLANT.
The Board of Directors of the Linda Vista-Annandale Association has voted unanimously to support the opposition of our adjacent Glendale neighborhood association, Glenoaks Canyon Homeowners Association (GOCHA), to Glendale’s Scholl Canyon Landfill Biogas (Power) Plant project within the Landfill site, including GOCHA;s filing of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) lawsuit challenging the legal validity of the project’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
Several years ago, at an LVAA Annual Meeting, GOCHA representatives presented the then proposed Landfill Biogas Plant project for construction of a power plant to utilize methane from the Landfill to generate electricity for Glendale. The presentation also outlined potential negative impacts for residential areas adjacent to the Landfill, including Glendale, Eagle Rock, and the Linda Vista-Annandale area of Pasadena. These impacts included Wildfire risks in hillside and canyon areas including limited ingress and egress and impacts from long-term drought conditions, air quality, noise, views, recreation at the Landfill site, and project technical issues.
It should be noted that constructing a power plant to capture Landfill methane gas for generating electricity often is regarded as a “Green” solution for utilizing methane gas from Landfills that has been implemented elsewhere. Why is Glendale’s Scholl Canyon Landfill proposal a problem? A significant issue is location. The Scholl Canyon Landfill is not sequestered or isolated. It is located immediately adjacent to thousands of hillside and canyon residential homes and community institutions such as schools, nearly all of which are “sensitive receptors” under CEQA. Also, this project raises a number of issues with Glendale’s policies relative to the Landfill, including: the Landfill nearing the end of its useful life and its expected closure by 2026; Glendale’s long-time commitments to its residents and those of us in the region to convert fully the entire Landfill site to diverse recreational uses after the Landfill is closed; changes in California law diverting organic food waste from Landfills; and, arguably, failure to consider newer technological solutions and additional project Alternatives as required by CEQA.
After contentious public Hearings, Glendale agreed with project opponents to prepare a full project EIR. After EIR preparation and the submission of a large amount of public comment in opposition, the Glendale Water and Power Commission recommended certification of the EIR and approval of the proposed project, but the Glendale Sustainability and Planning Commissions strongly rejected both. Further, the Glendale Planning Commission rejected approval of both the proposed required Special Recreation Review and Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the proposed project. At the Glendale City Council, after a long and contentious public Hearing and further submission of a great deal of public comment in opposition, the Council voted 3-2 to certify the EIR and approve the project, including required Land Use approvals.
Subsequently, GOCHA filed the above-referenced CEQA lawsuit. A copy of the Petition can be viewed at the LVAA website, https://lvaa.net , under Hot Topics. GOCHA;s Press Release and Fact Sheet on its opposition to the project and the lawsuit also are included under Hot Topics. The Final EIR, including extensive public comment, can be viewed at:
https://glendaleca-redesign.prod.govaccess.org/home/showpublisheddocument/63467/637635004141530000
.
GOCHA currently is fundraising to support the lawsuit effort. If LVAA neighbors choose to join LVAA and also contribute, contributions can be made online at https://gofund.me/dbe52f7e or checks payable to the law firm can be sent to Chatten-Brown, Carstens & Minteer LLP, 2200 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 318, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, clearly indicating that the contribution is for the GOCHA Glendale Landfill Project lawsuit. Contributions to the GoFundMe site will be used by GOCHA for current and future legal fees related to the Landfill. All contributions are not tax deductible for federal or state purposes.
Questions or comments? Contact [email protected].
Several years ago, at an LVAA Annual Meeting, GOCHA representatives presented the then proposed Landfill Biogas Plant project for construction of a power plant to utilize methane from the Landfill to generate electricity for Glendale. The presentation also outlined potential negative impacts for residential areas adjacent to the Landfill, including Glendale, Eagle Rock, and the Linda Vista-Annandale area of Pasadena. These impacts included Wildfire risks in hillside and canyon areas including limited ingress and egress and impacts from long-term drought conditions, air quality, noise, views, recreation at the Landfill site, and project technical issues.
It should be noted that constructing a power plant to capture Landfill methane gas for generating electricity often is regarded as a “Green” solution for utilizing methane gas from Landfills that has been implemented elsewhere. Why is Glendale’s Scholl Canyon Landfill proposal a problem? A significant issue is location. The Scholl Canyon Landfill is not sequestered or isolated. It is located immediately adjacent to thousands of hillside and canyon residential homes and community institutions such as schools, nearly all of which are “sensitive receptors” under CEQA. Also, this project raises a number of issues with Glendale’s policies relative to the Landfill, including: the Landfill nearing the end of its useful life and its expected closure by 2026; Glendale’s long-time commitments to its residents and those of us in the region to convert fully the entire Landfill site to diverse recreational uses after the Landfill is closed; changes in California law diverting organic food waste from Landfills; and, arguably, failure to consider newer technological solutions and additional project Alternatives as required by CEQA.
After contentious public Hearings, Glendale agreed with project opponents to prepare a full project EIR. After EIR preparation and the submission of a large amount of public comment in opposition, the Glendale Water and Power Commission recommended certification of the EIR and approval of the proposed project, but the Glendale Sustainability and Planning Commissions strongly rejected both. Further, the Glendale Planning Commission rejected approval of both the proposed required Special Recreation Review and Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the proposed project. At the Glendale City Council, after a long and contentious public Hearing and further submission of a great deal of public comment in opposition, the Council voted 3-2 to certify the EIR and approve the project, including required Land Use approvals.
Subsequently, GOCHA filed the above-referenced CEQA lawsuit. A copy of the Petition can be viewed at the LVAA website, https://lvaa.net , under Hot Topics. GOCHA;s Press Release and Fact Sheet on its opposition to the project and the lawsuit also are included under Hot Topics. The Final EIR, including extensive public comment, can be viewed at:
https://glendaleca-redesign.prod.govaccess.org/home/showpublisheddocument/63467/637635004141530000
.
GOCHA currently is fundraising to support the lawsuit effort. If LVAA neighbors choose to join LVAA and also contribute, contributions can be made online at https://gofund.me/dbe52f7e or checks payable to the law firm can be sent to Chatten-Brown, Carstens & Minteer LLP, 2200 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 318, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, clearly indicating that the contribution is for the GOCHA Glendale Landfill Project lawsuit. Contributions to the GoFundMe site will be used by GOCHA for current and future legal fees related to the Landfill. All contributions are not tax deductible for federal or state purposes.
Questions or comments? Contact [email protected].
Glendale Homeowners Opposition to Power Plant
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Fundraising to Support Opposition
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Lawsuit
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