EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP - NOVEMBER

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Links to top stories in other publications on East County issues

East County Roundup LogoPOWERLINK GETS PUMMELED

ECM Editor’s note:  The CPUC decision leaves the door open for a southern route to be built, which would impact East County communities near the border, so stay tuned.

Voice of San Diego (November 1, 2008) — San Diego Gas & Electric's proposed $1.2 billion Sunrise Powerlink will not be built through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.



The California Public Utilities Commission, the state regulatory agency that decides whether the power line should be built or not, issued draft rulings Friday that give the five-member commission two options to consider when deciding the Sunrise Powerlink's fate in December: Don't build it at all, or build it around the park — on the condition that SDG&E guarantee it delivers renewable energy to San Diego.

 

DROUGHT, BEETLES KILLING FORESTS

More than 10,000 oaks in S.D. County affected

San Diego Union-Tribune (October 25, 2008 ) — Bugs and diseases are killing trees at an alarming rate across the West, from the spruce forests of Alaska to the oak woodlands near the San Diego-Tijuana border.

Several scientists said the growing threat appears linked to global warming. That means tree mortality is likely to rise in places as the continent warms, potentially altering landscapes in ways that increase erosion, fan wildfires and diminish the biodiversity of Western forests.

 

A SLOW STRUGGLE

Only 9 percent of homes that were destroyed in blazes have been rebuilt

San Diego Union-Tribune (October 21, 2008 ) — Mary Wagner and her family are among the lucky ones. Although they lost their home in Rancho Bernardo in the wildfires that started a year ago today, they navigated insurance claims and building permits with little trouble and will be moving into a new, bigger house before Christmas.

“We couldn’t have been more fortunate,” she said. “The house looks a lot different, but it’s beautiful.”

Among the 1,646 homes destroyed in last year’s firestorms, only 9 percent - 150 - have been rebuilt. Most property owners are still suffering the stress of insurance negotiations, finding a reputable contractor and pulling together enough money to replace their homes.

 

COUNTY WAIVES SHELTER DEADLINE FOR 2007 FIRE VICTIMS

Ramona Sentinel (October 20, 2008) — San Diego County Department of Planning and Land Use has told victims of last October’s wildfires they don’t have to worry about an Oct. 21 deadline that could have forced them out of temporary trailers on their property.

 

RAINBOW: COUPLE HOPES FIRE-SAFE FEATURES WILL PRESERVE HOME IN FUTURE WILDFIRE

Fire marshal says fire-resistant construction is necessary, but awareness is also key

Voice of San Diego (October 24, 2008 ) Rainbow — At first glance, Bob and Anne Atkins' house doesn't look too much like a fortress.



Its yellow stucco walls and Mexican tile roof blend in with other houses in the residential area just east of Interstate 15, overlooking Stewart Canyon stretching out to the south.

Watch the video

 

IN SHIFT, SUNRISE POWERLINK COULD AVOID ANZA-BORREGO

Voice of San Diego (October 22, 2008) — For nearly three years, whenever San Diego Gas & Electric talked about the Sunrise Powerlink's proposed path through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the company and its representatives were adamant: Building the power line through the park was unavoidable.

 

SDG&E’S NEW FIRE PLAN DRAWING MIXED RESULTS:  POSSIBLE OUTAGES RAISE CONCERNS

San Diego Union-Tribune (October 4, 2008) — SDG&E's plan to turn off electricity in parts of the backcountry during strong Santa Ana winds to prevent fires is being applauded by some as a positive move, and condemned by others as potentially causing worse problems than it solves.

Officials of water districts in rural parts of the county were particularly skeptical, saying they were given little warning. The policy could also have implications for homeowners, including inoperable portable phones, garage door openers, stoplights and well pumps.

 

GAS TRACKERS

San Diego Reader (October 1, 2008) — Kenneth Reisig belongs to a bevy of volunteers who post retail gasoline prices on sandiegogasprices.com. The resource belongs to GasBuddy Organization Inc.’s collection of websites that allow consumers to compare gas prices in cities all over the United States. “It’s not that hard to post prices,” Reisig writes in an email, “and it would be nicer if a few more people would take the little bit of time to help out.”

Reisig lives in San Carlos and keeps an eye on three gas stations at the corner of Lake Murray Boulevard and Navajo Road.


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