“Twin toxic industries”

Carmel Pine Cone, Jan. 24, 2025

The Central Coast has two industries that are joined at the hip: electricity storage plants and offshore wind. These well-intended efforts to address environmental issues such as climate change instead are responsible for profound environmental damage. The toxic explosion at Vistra Corp’s Moss Landing plant encapsulates that environmental impact: carcinogenic clouds lingering for days, exposing thousands of our people.

These toxic industries exist because Sacramento politicians promoted them, voting to support them with subsidies and environmental waivers. Why, given that offshore wind has killed thousands of whales in the North Sea and New England (according to government data), not to mention released carcinogenic bisphenol A into the Atlantic Ocean? Moss Landing has had four toxic, explosive fires in the last five years. Given that level of environmental destruction, let’s demand that our incumbents disclose how much money they have received from offshore wind and Vistra Corp, including PAC money.

Michael Hogan, Monterey