Great desalination debate

The Poseidon proposal dominated local politics in 2005. Like many disputes in Huntington, it pits prodevelopment advocates against environmentalists.They’re one of the most reliable aspects at City Hall.

No matter what the issue, you’ll always see them at the podium, a small cadre of activists who have made a point of speaking at every City Council meeting in 2005. Their arguments vary, but their messages are essentially the same -- the council should vote against the Poseidon project.

No other issue has drawn the attention of the public this year like Poseidon, a $250-million desalination plant proposed for an industrial lot behind AES at Pacific Coast Highway.

Said to be capable of converting 50 million gallons of sea water to drinking water every day, the project has galvanized Huntington Beach into two camps: the business community that supports Poseidon and the environmental community that opposes it.

But is this polarization anything new? Poseidon is by far the most costly project to come to Huntington Beach in years; but what makes this debate any different from the fight over the Bolsa Chica wetlands, or the controversial Pacific City Development, or the two waterfront hotels?

“In the broad sense, it’s the same battle,” said activist John Earl, who is leading the charge against Poseidon. “Developers using the growth philosophy versus environmentalist and others who want to control the environment and make it last.”

That makes for an emotionally charged political process, a foundation of Huntington Beach politics, Mayor Dave Sullivan said.

“[The environment] is an issue where there’s very strong feeling in the community, that always makes it paramount,” he said.

While issues like the recently approved coastal development and the Bolsa Chica have drawn similar environmental debates, Sullivan said, what’s interesting about Poseidon is that it draws in so many separate facets of arguments. The environmental politics of Poseidon’s proposed connection to the AES intake pipeline has brought in scores of state and nonprofit agencies that have expressed concerned about fish killed during the process.

Water agencies from all over the state have weighed in, looking at Poseidon and desalination technology as a possible solution to Southern California’s long-range water needs. Business leaders and Republican politicians such as Huntington Beach’s Rep. Dana Rohrabacher have offered their support, arguing the plant would be a needed revenue builder. Residents living next to the plant have mostly spoken out against Poseidon, arguing the scope of construction for the massive facility would be disruptive to their lives.

Along the way, dozens of agencies from the California Coastal Commission to the Department of Fish and Game have all weighed in, offering their own assessments of the project.

“There are lots of things to take into consideration,” Sullivan said. “I knew it would be a hot issue and involve a lot of input and community involvement.”

How Poseidon will affect the next election remains to be unseen.

“Poseidon is a big issue, but I’m not sure if it’s the issue,” Councilman Don Hansen said. “No matter what, depending on which way I vote on Poseidon, I’m probably going to lose some people.”

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the plan on Jan. 9.

* DAVE BROOKS can be reached at (714) 966-4609.