POWERLINK MEETING IN ALPINE TONIGHT
More meetings set for May 18 in Boulevard and May 27 in Lakeside
May 10, 2010 (Alpine) – San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) will host a community meeting on Sunrise Powerlink at 6 p.m. tonight at the Alpine Women's Club, 2156 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine.
“Many may think this is a David vs. Goliath fight, but remember, David won the fight. We can, too,” said Sharmin Self, East County Community Action Coalition, an organization representing 79,000 people opposed to the Powerlink project. Self urged community members to attend the meeting, adding, “Numbers do count.”
SDG&E contends the $1.8 billion line is necessary to improve transmission capacity and reliability for our region, also providing ability to import renewable energy. The utility plans to underground a portion of the line along Alpine Boulevard.
Opponents contend the line poses a severe fire hazard, note that SDG&E refused to guarantee to the CPUC that the line would carry renewable energy, and contend that San Diego County could meet its energy needs through locally generated power with options such as rooftop solar, wind and conservation.
In Alpine, parents have raised concern over safety since the line would be close to a school, while merchants have voiced concerns over the impact of an extended construction project on businesses downtown. The County has also raised questions about water usage and other impacts.
Although the California Public Utilities Commission has approved Powerlink, the project could be blocked by two lawsuits or the U.S. Forest Service, which has not yet approved construction through the Cleveland National Forest.
Additional meetings are planned as follows:
MAY 18, 6 p.m.
Sacred Rocks RV Park
1331 Shasta Way
Boulevard, CA
MAY 27, 6 p.m.
VFW Hall – Post 5867
12650 Lindo Lane
Lakeside, CA MAY 27, 6pm
Meetings are also being planned in Jacumba and Imperial County, with dates and times to be announced.