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Continued...
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT:
The Facts about the Proposed Sunrise Powerlink
Fiction: The proposed Sunrise Powerlink poses no fire hazard through San Diego's backcountry.
FACT: It's a sad irony that much of the alignment of SDG&E's preferred route for the Powerlink tracks the path of the 2003 Cedar Fire, one of San Diego County worst disasters. This is especially troubling given the fact that during the period February 2004 to December 2006, nine fires occurred that were directly related to SDG&E transmission lines.(18) Experts have testified that normal operation and maintenance of the Sunrise Powerlink line may incur "negative public health and safety impacts as well as large unanticipated costs to the public, public lands, and ratepayers due to one or more wildland fires accidentally ignited."(19) Accidental ignitions are many and include ignitions from construction, aircraft collisions, bird collisions, downed lines, illegal campfires, target shooting, hunting, and arson along and from access roads.(20)
Fiction: The proposed Sunrise Powerlink is cost-effective and beneficial to SDG&E ratepayers.
FACT: In evaluating the Sunrise Powerlink project, the independent consumer watchdog group, Utility Consumer's Action Network (UCAN) noted that SDG&E has "exaggerated" the need for this project, has "understated its costs," has "ignored reasonable alternatives," and has engaged in a "systematic scheme to mislead the public."(21)
Furthermore, the Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA), the arm of the California Public Utilities Commission that advocates on behalf of public utility customers, maintains Sunrise is clearly not needed to meet any of its stated objectives, including the critical goal of providing reliable service in San Diego.(22) DRA is not convinced that Sunrise is the best alternative for meeting such goals, or even that Sunrise's benefits will exceed its costs.(23)18 Phase I Direct Testimony of the Mussey Grade Road Alliance Fire Analysis - Economic Impacts, May 31, 2007.
19 Phase I Direct Testimony of the Mussey Grade Road Alliance Fire Analysis - Economic Impacts, May 31, 2007.
20 David Hogan, "Phase I Direct Testimony of David Hogan on Behalf of Conservation Groups," June 1, 2007.
21 "UCAN Testimony on Overview of Technical Testimony, SDG&E Misinformation and Alternatives," June 1, 2007.
22 http://www.dra.ca.gov/electric/index.htm
23 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
