By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Screenshot, ECM news partner 10 News

August 16, 2016 (El Cajon) –A San Diego Gas & Electric worker suffered injuries from an electric shock while working on power lines on Shady Lane in El Cajon Monday morning.

Contribution provides critical support for community fire preparedness and prevention programs

By Stephanie Donovan

Photo: getting prepared; on July 14, SDG&E hosted a breakfast at the utility’s Kearny Mesa headquarters to distribute dozens of grants to support community partners focused on fire and emergency preparedness. John Sowers, SDG&E’s vice president of electric distribution operations, applauded the efforts of these grassroots groups to help improve regional safety.

July 21, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - More than a dozen East County community-based organizations dedicated to fire and emergency-preparedness programs recently received a financial boost, thanks to a $900,000 grant from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). SDG&E distributed the grants July 14 to more than 80 representatives of San Diego County Fire Safe Councils, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and other regional safety partners.

By Miriam Raftery

June 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – During the Border Fire, SDG&E rapidly mobilized resources that have been substantially beefed up since prior firestorms—getting electricity back on swiftly in burned-out communities sweltering in triple-digit heat.  For many rural residents,electricity also powers wells that provide water in and in some cases, equipment burned. 

But as of this morning, power has been fully restored in all areas impacted by the fire,according to SDG&E’s outage map.

“The SDG&E crews have been amazing. They have not stopped since the fire swept through,” Potrero resident Jan Hedlun writes. “They have a camp up next to the Potrero Community Church and are working, working, working. The rate of speed they took to get most of us hooked up is wondrous. I watched them using a helicopter to move the poles over the ridge. Well coordinated crews.”

April 29, 2016 (Ramona) -- East County Magazine extends our hearty thanks to all who sponsored and attended our "Magic Mountain"benefit event at Vineyard Grant James in Ramona!  We raised over $1,200 from the event, helping us keep you safe and informed.

We extend our special thanks to our major sponsors:

Protesters denounce SDG&E appeal over net metering; SDG&E defends its actions

Originally Published on the ECOreport

By Roy L Hales

March 18, 2016 (San Diego) -- There were about 150 protesters on Wednesday, chanting “We will fight corporate greed,” “how do you spell corporate greed? SDG&E” and “solar power is what we need.”

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Sunrise Powerlink (left) transmits 500 kilovolts of electricity above ground across most its its route, but was installed underground in Alpine, where it flows beneath the main street in  the rural mountain town.

February 20, 2016 (Alpine) – East County Magazine reached out to San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)  after reviewing results of two studies measuring electromagnetic field (EMF) levels in Alpine. (The first study, done by an engineer and contractor, found high levels along Alpine Blvd. above the underground Sunrise Powerlink. The second, commissioned by the County Office of Education, measured levels at Alpine Elementary School.  It found relatively low levels at most places on the campus, though two outside areas nearest the boulevard were higher, one substantially so. View details here.) Those reports raised concerns among some community members about potential health risks for chlidren, though medical studies have shown conflicting results on this issue.

We asked SDG&E if it has plans to measure EMF levels at other locations, what EMF levels it would consider safe, what  fixes or mitigation might be possible, and what EMF research the company supports. Below are our questions and the answers provided by Allison Torres, SDG&E media representative:  

SDG&E slated to upgrade 30 mobile home parks, improve safety for residents

By Mike Allen

February 19, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Elected officials, state and local utility people and residents of the Heart ‘O the Hills Mobile Lodge in El Cajon gathered Feb. 18 to celebrate the completion of a natural gas and electric line upgrading, the first park in San Diego County to obtain such a conversion.

February 11, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Magazine is pleased to announce that San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) has awarded a $1,500 grant to fund our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts during the winter/El Niño season.

“We are deeply appreciative of this generous donation,” said ECM editor Miriam Raftery.  “Our alert service is normally busiest during the summer and fall wildfire seasons, but with the severe El Niño storms, it’s crucial to have this extra funding, which enables us to hire the help we need to keep our readers safe and informed during severe weather conditions such as flooding and blizzards.”

East County News Service

November 8, 2015 (Sacramento) – California’s Secretary of State has approved signature gathering for a ballot initiative that if approved by voters, would end private utility corporations such as San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric.

Under the measure, the state would buy out the companies and operate a publicly owned California Electrical Utility District that would set electricity rates, build infrastructure and provide power. Bonds or taxes could be levied to fund costs. The measure’s backer, Ben Davis Jr., contends the state can provide power at lower rates for California customers and notes that nationwide, public utilities have 15% lower rates on average than privately owned utilities.

East County News Service

September 26, 2015 (San Diego)—The San Diego Sierra Club plans a rally on October 7^th at 12 noon outside Sempra Energy headquarters (488 8^th Ave., San Diego) to protest the utility’s actions that environmentalists say are aimed at “crippling solar.”

By Miriam Raftery

Updated August 8, 2015 with comments from SDG&E, clarifications/corrections.

August 7, 2015 (San Diego’s East County ) – SDG&E is asking the California Public Utilities Commission to pass on costs to ratepayers for the uninsured costs of legal settlements for the utility's role in causing three major fires in the 2007 firestorms.  The utility has announced plans to file an application this fall seeking to recover those costs, which could be as high as $367 million.

By Robert Gehr ©

July 25, 2015 (El Cajon)--A combination of several factors caused an electrical power outage in El Cajon Friday evening beginning around 6:20 p.m.

April 20, 2015 (La Mesa)-- On Wednesday, April 29, 2015 the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to join a unique evening and opportunity to meet some of the local businesses within the community. The “Spring Fling - Business Expo” is a new event that has been requested by local businesses to provide them an opportunity to showcase their goods and services.

A little April Fool's Day fun.

By Betty Burns

April 1, 2015 (San Diego)—Seeking to prevent fire stations from closing again this season due to budget cuts, the County of San Diego announced today that it has sold corporate naming rights to fire trucks.

Hooters Restaurant was the first to sign up for this opportunity, also agreeing to provide Hooters waitresses to serve firefighters at their base camp during wildfires.