WASCO, CA - The City of Wasco is being sued for its approval of the expanded capacity of a coal facility. This has to do with HECA, a proposed power plant in western Kern County.
In March, Wasco gave approval to Savage Coal Yard to increase its annual shipments of coal from 900,000 tons to 1.5 million tons. This is so the facility can ship enough coal to HECA.
But, the Sierra Club said the city should have done a review of the environmental impacts before approving the expansion.
If HECA is approved, Savage plans to make 150 round trips, almost 30 miles from Wasco to the Buttonwillow power plant. To get enough coal to the facility, however, Savage Coal depot had to request an increase on their allowed intake..
The City of Wasco's planning commission approved that request earlier this year. And when environmentalists appealed, the city council reaffirmed that decision by a 3-2 vote. But, opponents argue the city never did an environmental review required by the California Environmental Quality Act. The city says it's exempt. But, the lawsuit filed Wednesday challenges that exemption.
"The situation is it's the lowest income people that are affected, and the City of Wasco doesn't even want to look at that," said Tom Frantz, member of the Sierra Club.
The City of Wasco did not want to speak on camera, but said the lawsuit is not unexpected. Savage declined to comment.