Glendora : College Opposes Waste Plant

The Board of Trustees of Citrus College has adopted a resolution opposing construction of Pacific Waste Management Corp.’s waste-to-energy plant in Irwindale, and has voted to support Proposition 51, the “deep pockets” initiative that would limit the amount of damages an individual defendant could be required to pay in personal-injury liability cases.

The waste-to-energy resolution stated that the proposed plant, which would be built near the college, would add substantially to air pollution in the area and have a negative impact on traffic on Foothill Boulevard and the San Bernardino Freeway. The plant, which would burn 3,000 tons of trash a day, has become a heated issue in the state Assembly, where opponents of waste-to-energy projects are supporting legislation that would prevent construction of the plant.

Members of the Citrus College board said they support Proposition 51 because the college’s cost for liability insurance has risen recently. If Proposition 51 is approved, parties found partly responsible for non-economic damages in lawsuits will not longer have to pay another party’s portion of the damage if that other party cannot pay. Proponents of the measure say it would decrease the cost of liability insurance.