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SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT:
The Facts about the Proposed Sunrise Powerlink
Fiction: Without the proposed Sunrise Powerlink, there will be a serious ‘power gap’.
FACT: Improved local energy conservation and increased efficiency in San Diego would eliminate the energy reliability gap cited by SDG&E to justify the Powerlink. Simple measures like installing efficient air conditioning systems and replacing incandescent bulbs by 2012 could significantly reduce peak energy demand.(1)
In addition, SDG&E has already proposed the addition of 250 MW of “peaking” turbines by 2008.(2) This step alone would eliminate much of the emergency “power gap” calculated by SDG&E to justify the Sunrise Powerlink. Furthermore, simple upgrades to existing energy infrastructure can further boost San Diego’s energy supply and eliminate the need for the Powerlink.
Furthermore, according to The Division of Ratepayer Advocates, an agency within the California Public Utilities Commission that reviews utility projects on consumers' behalf, enough steps already have been taken to plug a forecasted shortfall for 2010 without the Sunrise Powerlink.(3) This assertion is underscored by findings of the Utility Consumers’ Action Network (UCAN).(4)
Finally, the energy “crisis” of the early days of the 21st Century has now been shown to have resulted from market manipulation by the likes of Enron and SDG&E’s parent company, Sempra Energy.(5) This was, and is, a manufactured shortage that can be readily avoided.
Fiction: The proposed Sunrise Powerlink is needed to transport renewable energy into San Diego County.
FACT: Renewable energy goals can be met by existing transmission lines, as conceded under oath by Jim Avery, a Senior Vice President of SDG&E.(6) This fact has been underscored by several energy experts.(7)
Additionally, local renewable energy resources are available in San Diego. This has been confirmed by a 2005 report partially funded by SDG&E entitled, "Potential for Renewable Energy in the San Diego Region."(8) For example, with San Diego's abundance of sunlight and the right mix of education and incentives like grants, loans and tax breaks, energy from commercial and residential rooftop solar could reasonably exceed existing demand when it is needed most on hot summer days.(9)1. Personal.com. Bill Powers, Border Power Plants Working Group. Also see Los Angeles Times, “Bill to ban sale of incandescent light bulbs advances”, April 24, 2007.
2. SDG&E Press Release, May 14, 2007, “SDG&E selects projects to meet peak-power demand in 2008,” http://sdge.com/news/news_releases.html.
3. Dave Downey, North County Times, “Power line not needed, report says,” May 21, 2007.
4. “UCAN Testimony on Overview of Technical Testimony, SDG&E Misinformation and Alternatives,” June 1, 2007.
5. California Public Utilities Commission, Order Instituting Rulemaking to Establish Policies and Rules to Ensure Reliable, Long-Term Supplies of Natural Gas to California,” January 22, 2004, http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/FINAL_DECISION/33642-01.htm.
6 Craig D. Rose, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Powerlink's supply called into question," July 11, 2007.
7 Utility Consumers' Action Network and Border
Power Plant Working Group, "Comments on Draft 2005 IEPR Transmission Chapter
- The Sunrise Powerlink and Alternatives for Moving Renewable-Generated
Electricity, Relieving Congestion, and Assuring Reliability in the Service
Territory of the San Diego Gas & Electric Company," October
14, 2005, http://www.ucan.org/energy/electricity/ucans_comments_on_the_
california_energy_commissions_strong_
endorsement_of_the_sunrise_powerlink
8 San Diego Regional Renewable Energy Study Group, "Potential for Renewable Energy in the San Diego Region," August 2005, http://www.renewables.org.
9 Ibid.Key contacts:
Dennis Trafecante-760-703-1149
Michael Pinto-760-782-3717
Send donations to the Protect
Our Communities Fund:
The San Diego Foundation, c/o Emily Young
2508 Historic Decatur Rd., Suite 200, San Diego CA 92106
619-235-2300; eyoung@sdfoundation.org
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Upcoming Events:
Publication of Draft EIR/EIS
January, 2008
Draft EIR/EIS Workshops Conducted by Environmental Review Team
January, 2008
Telephonic Discovery Conferences Begin Again,
to Continue Weekly as Needed
February 5, 2008, 2:00 p.m.
877-347-9604, Code – 771069
Public Participation Hearing - Pine Valley
February 25, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
Public Participation Hearing - Borrego Springs
February 26, 2008, 1:00 p.m.
Public Participation Hearing - Ramona
February 26, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Details for the Public Participation Hearings are as follows:
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2008 , 6:30 p.m.
Mountain Empire High School
3305 Buckman Springs Rd.
Pine Valley, CA 91962
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 26, 2008, 1:00 p.m.
Borrego Springs
Borrego Springs Resort
1112 Tilting T Drive
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 26, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Ramona
Charles Nunn Performing Arts Center
1521 Hanson Lane
Ramona, CA 92065
