I got curious about the "7th worst polluting business in Santa Clara County" figure which appeared (based on information from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District) in the San Jose Mercury News last month.

Several of the first six businesses sounded unfamiliar to me. So I did some checking:

1. Kaiser Cement - located in Cupertino
2. Jefferson Smurfit - located in Milpitas
3. Owens Corning - located in Santa Clara
4. Cardinal Cogen Joint Venture - located in Palo Alto
5. Gilroy Energy Co. - located in Gilroy
6. Calpine Gilroy Cogen - located in Gilroy

I congratulate our Planning Commissioners, City Planners, Councilmembers, and Mayors, past and present, who have had the wisdom and foresight not to place any of these dirty, dangerous businesses in our fair City.

In addition to being the 7th worst polluter in Santa Clara County, the proposed Calpine Coyote Power Plant would enjoy the very dubious distinction of being THE #1 WORST POLLUTER IN THE CITY OF SAN JOSE.

Our trust is in our current Commissioners, Planners, Councilmembers, and Mayor to continue the fine tradition of representing and protecting the people of our city and giving a polite but very firm "NO" to any business, such as the one proposed, that will hurt our air, our environment, our children, our health, our quality of life, and our City.

Elizabeth Cord
Santa Teresa Citizen Action Group