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Experts will weigh in during
month of powerlink hearings
By Christy Scott
The Alpine Sun
SAN DIEGO — Hearings began on Monday,
to discuss the proposed San Diego Gas & Electric Sunrise
Powerlink. This week begins a month-long series of hearings that
will feature experts in various areas testifying about the need
for and cost of the project.
While there have been other public input meetings, this
group of hearings will feature only experts from consumer
advocacy groups, state parks, and environmental groups, presided
over by Administrative Law Judge Steven Weissman and utilities
commissioner Dian Grueneich.
This first phase of hearings will focus on the need for
the project and whether there are more affordable alternatives
for keeping the lights on in San Diego County. The hearings will
certainly affect the decision of the California Public Utilities
Commission in approving or denying the powerlink project. The
CPUC is scheduled to make that decision in January.
Witnesses for 11 groups are scheduled to take the stand
to argue the pros and cons of the project. Monday’s hearings
featured many of the cons.
After a protest outside the County Administration
Building, opponents of the project involved in the meeting
inside questioned SDG&E Senior Vice President James Avery on the
claim that Sunrise is needed to meet state renewable energy
requirements in the next few years.
SDG&E argues that the new transmission line is needed
to transport renewable energy from Imperial County sources, such
as geothermal and solar.
Opponents of the project say the line is unnecessary,
too expensive and would be environmentally damaging. They also
argue that greater development of renewable power and
conservation within the county can meet regional needs more
cheaply and reliably.
Another milestone that is coming up is the release of
the project’s environmental impact report, which will likely
begin another round of discussion. That report is due to be
completed at the end of this month.
If completed as envisioned by the utility, the electric
transmission line would stretch 150 miles from Imperial County
across northern San Diego County, through Anza Borrego State
Park, and cost about $1.3 billion to construct. The towers along
the route would be gigantic metal structures, measuring 125 feet
high and more than 100 feet wide at their base.
Other alternative routes that have been identified by
the CPUC could plant conduit towers along a path that would
skirt Cleveland National Forest land; but travel right through
Boulevard, just north of Campo, Potrero, and then north through
Descanso and Alpine, where it would be underground. Alternative
routes for the powerlink however, will be discussed in future
phases of hearings.
While the public cannot speak during these special
hearings, anyone is welcome to attend and hear the testimony.
Sunrise Powerlink Hearing Schedule
July 12-13 -- County Administration Center, Room 358, 1600
Pacific Highway, San Diego.
July 16-20 -- San Diego Regional Energy Office, 8690 Balboa
Ave., Suite 100, San Diego.
July 23-26 -- County Administration Center, Room 358, 1600
Pacific Highway, San Diego.
July 27 -- San Diego Regional Energy Office, 8690 Balboa Ave.,
Suite 100, San Diego.
Meetings begin at 10 a.m.
 E-mail
Christy Scott
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