I am saddened to find myself in a country where it is considered “low impact” to rob a community of its open spaces, scenic corridors, healthy homes, fire safety, and then …… on top of that…. knowingly cause the mortality of a dwindling species… Golden Eagles. I think “low impact” only considers the corporate profit, and not the public interest. The following is taken directly from the final EIR. See link for the full document. See page 131 of on this link http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/environment/info/aspen/sunrise/feir/D02%20Biology.pdf
The golden eagle is very sensitive to human activity, especially in the vicinity of its nesting area(s), and even distant construction activity (or maintenance activity; see Section D.2.16, Impact B-12) could cause abandonment of a nest, subsequent reproductive failure, and continuing decline of the species. These impacts would be significant according to Significance Criteria 1.e., 1.f., 1.g, and 1.h. Significance Criterion 1.e. states that the Proposed Project would have a substantial adverse effect on the breeding success of the golden eagle. Significance Criterion 1.f. states that the Proposed Project would directly or indirectly cause the mortality of a special status species. Significance Criterion 1.g. states that the Proposed Project would result in the abandonment of migratory bird nests and/or eggs. Significance Criterion 1.h. states that the Proposed Project would take golden eagles, eagle eggs, or any part of an eagle. Human activity within 4,000 feet of nest site is considered significant and not mitigable to less than significant levels (Class I)
All it takes for evil to pervail is for good men and women to stand by and do nothing. TAKE ACTION TODAY.
Editor Golden Eagles, Powerlink, What is at Stake, powerlink
The Union Tribune published an article on March 7, 2009 that San Diego Gas & Electric Co. agreed on March 6, 2009 to pay up to $1.1 million to settle accusations that it tried to mislead state regulators about the proposed route for the Sunrise Powerlink.
The company didn’t admit lying to regulators, but apologized for what it said was a mistake: failing to include two documents in a public filing describing a presentation to staff members at the state Public Utilities Commission.
Folks, the “missing” documents were about the route alternatives that include the route through OUR VALLEY.
You can see the article in signonsandiego.com or cut and paste this link: http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/mar/07/1b7sdge215517-sdgampe-set-pay-after-misstating-sun/
Editor Press El Monte Valley & El Cap, SDG&E, Sempra, unethical
February 24, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — Ed Clark, an electrical protection engineer-turned-whistleblower, contends that inappropriate power line installations by SDG&E/Sempra Energy have caused multiple wildfires in San Diego County – and that the utility’s refusal to replace or correct the installations leaves our region at risk for more fires.
SDG&E disputes Clark’s claims and insists that its installations are legal and safe. (See our story: Investigator claims fault utility line installations caused 2003 Cedar and Paradise Fires as well as fires in 2007; SDG&E disputes claim). Now East County Magazine has spoken with two additional electrical engineering experts—and both confirm Clark’s contention that such installations are dangerous.
see the full article at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=457_electrical_experts
Editor Press
The Union-Tribune reported yesterday on the California Public Utilities Commission’s determination to examine SDG&E’s current plan to shut off power to rural communities during periods of high fire danger. The CPUC will hold meetings on April 7 and 8 in Alpine and Valley Center to hear from the public about the impact of this plan.
This presents an important opportunity for local residents to make their voices heard! If any detailed information is known, please post a Comment or contact info@saveelmontevalley.com.
Admin Action, powerlink
Some of the best coverage of the El Monte Valley and Lakeside resident protest meetings can be found in East County Magazine. Here is the opening paragraph:
“We do not need this line to meet San Diego County’s energy needs now or in the future,” Dianne Jacob, chair of the County Board of Supervisors, told a crowd of 200 to 300 Lakeside residents at a February 25th community meeting on Sunrise Powerlink. She accused the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) of ignoring fire safety warnings raised in an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which concluded that the line was rated “the highest fire risk possible” and that “fire risk could not be mitigated.” Jacob added, “Follow the money…Some public officials supported the line even before there was an EIR report. Their votes were bought, in my opinion.”
Read the rest…
Admin Threats
News 6 in San Diego covered the pair of events held Feb 25th at the Lakeside Community Center: a large group of residents concerned about the Powerlink plans for the El Monte Valley, and just across the hall an SDG&E Open House aimed at calming these fears:
News 6 invited its viewers to comment on the proposed Powerlink route and they spoke up:
“The Sunrise Power-Link is a $1.9-Billion Fraud. …”
“The EIR stated that it is not needed. SDG&E contributed a lot of $$ to the Governor and guess who pushed this through. Solar on homes like Sacramento Municipal Utility District would work but oh yes that would put SDG&E out of business.”
“I am a resident of El Monte Valley. If this is built we will have high voltage lines on three sides of this valley with only one way out and that is under the existing high voltage lines on the west end. Can you say Fire Death Trap?”
Read the full content of the viewer responses.
Admin Press, powerlink
10 News covered the meeting held Wednesday, Feb 25 at the Lakeside Community Center:
Click here to go to Article and Video
By the way, don’t believe the SDG&E spokespeople when they say their goal is to carry 100% renewable energy over the Powerlink. County Supervisor Dianne Jacobs stated at the protest meeting this same night that she had asked Sempra/SDG&E to formalize their commitment to use the proposed lines to carry renewable engergy, but they flatly refused. Why would they refuse to such an agreement if their “plan” is to eventually have 100% renewable over this line? Simple: the real plan all along has been to carry power generated using Liquified Natural Gas shipped into Baja California’s new power plant.
Yep, they want us to give up El Monte Valley so Sempra can sell petroleum-based power from Mexico to all of Southern California.
Admin Press, Value, powerlink
