CARLSBAD, Calif. -- A proposed power plant in the North County that could supply electricity to hundreds of thousands of homes is being met with opposition.

Those against the project said its location along the coast in Carlsbad is a major concern.

The city of Carlsbad has lived in the shadow of the Encina Power Station for more than 50 years. Now, the power plant's owners, NRG Energy, want to replace it with something more environmentally friendly. The new facility would be located between the coast and Interstate 5 and would create enough energy for 400,000, but the city and some of its residents are saying no.

"I don't want it to look like Long Beach. We've got such a quaint town. It's such a special place to come to," said Vista resident Caroline Grant.

Aesthetics are the biggest concern, as well as pollution. Biology professor Bob Garrett said even clean emissions mix with water to create acid rain.

"I don't understand why they would put it in an environment where all this moisture moves in and back and forth, and the pollutants can be harmless but when they combine with water they can be devastating," said Garrett.

Hundreds of residents were expected to testify against the proposed plant Monday evening, but Carlsbad's Chamber of Commerce has a different perspective. They said the plant will create jobs and clean energy, and the old plant will eventually make way for progress.

"Once it's certified, they can tear it down, and they would love to tear it down because they own 95 acres of developable land. I think we're just on different pages. We look at jobs and revenue and the economy, and they look at the aesthetics and the size of the smokestack," said Ted Owen, president of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.

Most residents 10News spoke to said the new plant will be an eyesore, but the California Energy Commission will have the final say.

The CEC will decide on the new power station later this year.