MAILBAG - Dec. 7, 2000

If there is no way we can rid ourselves of this blight, we should at

least be able to camouflage its ugly appearance. There must be a way to

make AES Corp. reduce its height and hide behind palms or a whale wall as

done in other communities. I can’t believe AES is requesting a reduction

in the land value assessment. This oceanfront property is extremely

valuable. I would also like an emissions disclosure on a quarterly

basis. CLAUDETTE DORIAN

Huntington Beach

AES must be forced to do more to improve its appearance. Two years

ago, AES bought the facility from the Edison Co., a year after the city

openly discussed requiring improvements to the facility if expansion

plans were ever attempted. The city made AES and Edison aware of its

concerns in 1997 -- much like a new home buyer inspection points out that

a house being purchased will soon need a new roof.

The city needs to be vigilant for the well-being of those living near

AES (and a lot more in range of its smoke plume) and for the success of

the city’s image and visitor-serving amenities. We are spending money on

a resort/conference center a quarter-mile away, and we think people will

pay to look at this?

Nobody hears any talk of AES expanding its plant in Redondo Beach --

might be politically explosive there -- only that they want to

“fast-track” our expansion in Huntington Beach. Our city leaders need to

step up and say we will not be the path of least resistance anymore to

solve everyone else’s problems and add to AES’ profit. This could be one

of the few issues all seven council members should agree on. Make them

seriously improve the appearance of this facility and require all

expansion plans to go through all environmental and other processes for

the benefit of our city for years to come.

They have the money -- if they don’t, spread it out over the million

people that will benefit from our eyesore.

JON ELY

Huntington Beach