The city of San Diego will officially appeal the California Coastal Commission’s (CCC) denial of a waiver that would allow the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant to operate below pollution standards. The formal challenge will take place during next month’s regular CCC meeting on Oct. 8 in Oceanside. “It will be thoroughly discussed at the hearing,” said CCC legislative coordinator Sarah Christie. An appearance before the 12 commissioners is one of two routes of appeal that the city has at its disposal. If the direct CCC appeal is unsuccessful, the city can appeal the commission’s decision to the U.S. Department of Commerce. “That’s the most expedient way to take another look at the issue,” Christie said of the meeting appeal. Since the August meeting, when the waiver was rejected 8-1, two new commissioners have been named to the CCC, possibly influencing the appeal process. Santa Cruz County Supervisor Mark Stone and Oceanside City Councilwoman Esther Sanchez will replace two commissioners whose terms had expired. Christie said the waiver was not discussed during the CCC’s September meeting in Eureka. “There could definitely be some merit for the commission to have some additional discussion on the item,” she said. On Aug. 13, the commissioners unexpectedly voted to deny the waiver. The waiver would have allowed the plant to operate below the minimum federal environmental standards for pollution. A waiver was previously granted in 1995 and 2002. An upgrade to secondary treatment would cost an estimated $1.5 billion. The Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant opened in 1963 and is located at 1902 Gatchell Road. According to the city, the facility treats about 175 million gallons of wastewater per day. The outfall pipe extends 4.5 miles into the ocean.