Frequently Asked Questions:
Question: What is the Sierra Club?
The Sierra Club is the nation’s most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organization, with 3.8 million members and supporters across the country and about 4,500 members and supporters in San Luis Obispo County. Among environmental groups, Sierra Club is unique because it helps people enjoy the outdoors, works to protect and preserve our environment, and engages in political action.
Question: What is Morro Bay Measure A-24?
Measure A-24 is a ballot measure up for vote in the City of Morro Bay in November 2024. Measure A-24 is proposed to amend “Morro Bay's General Plan (Plan Morro Bay) to prohibit, unless approved by Morro Bay voters, any change to Land Use Designations of Visitor-Serving Commercial or Commercial/Recreational Fishing, on certain designated parcels within the City.” This measure specifically targets the below map’s land parcels circled in red. The area impacted by the measure is predominantly the site of the former Morro Bay Power Plant, which is currently defunct and closed to the public because it requires significant and expensive toxic site cleanup prior to viability for any future uses.
Question: Why does the Sierra Club oppose Morro Bay Measure A-24?
Measure A-24 would freeze land-use at the site of the defunct, formerly oil and gas-burning Morro Bay Power Plant and put land-use decisions up for public vote in these parcels. This would nullify the city's ability to make decisions based on planning and expert knowledge and restrict their ability to respond to the urgent demands of our changing climate and economic circumstances. A yes vote on A-24 will force Vistra to make use of AB 205, which takes the decision out of the hands of the citizens of Morro Bay and puts it under the control of the California Energy Commission.
Question: How did the Sierra Club reach its decision to oppose Measure A-24?
The Sierra Club’s process for taking an official position on a ballot measure involves multiple steps and decision makers. It starts when one or more Chapter committees research the implications of the ballot measure and then recommend a Sierra Club position on the ballot measure. Their recommendation goes to the Chapter Executive Committee for a vote, and if approved, is referred to Sierra Club California for a final decision on the Sierra Club’s position.
Question: Does Sierra Club support the Vistra BESS in Morro Bay? Why?
Yes, Sierra Club supports development of a battery storage facility in Morro Bay. The urgent need to address climate change means there is no time to waste in developing a diverse set of clean, renewable energy projects. The site of the Morro Bay Power Plant is polluted, hazardous, and falling apart. The Vistra BESS would help clean up the current site and put a clean-energy battery plant on a site that cannot currently be used for other purposes.
Question: How did Sierra Club make decisions on supporting or opposing projects?
Sierra Club has a strict policy of reviewing environmental impact statements before taking a position on a project. Positions are discussed at the local and national levels of the Sierra Club, with the final position approved by the national Sierra Club. Of course, the position has to be consistent with national Sierra Club policy.
Question: Does the Sierra Club get any money from the government or businesses, such as the wind companies?
Sierra Club policy prohibits receiving funds or any form of compensation from local, state or federal government entities to ensure all political endorsements we make and projects we support or oppose are not swayed by compensation.
Sierra Club does not take funding from developers. Collaborations between a business and the Sierra Club are exceedingly rare; those that exist are required to go through a rigorous review process, have an official memorandum of understanding (MOU), and the collaboration is transparently communicated with the public.
Question: Does Sierra Club support ALL clean energy projects?
The short answer is NO. Sierra Club carefully vets clean energy projects before they can be supported and recognizes that not all projects are created equal. For the projects we do support, we advocate for proper siting, mitigation, and responsible project plans throughout the process.
More detailed information is provided on the Morro Bay Citizens Opposed to A-24 website located here.