[pct-l] Powerlines Crossing the PCT in San Diego County

[Ken Roberts]

Electricity is a wonderful product. I spent a bit of time reviewing the 
maps of the proposed routes. None of the maps I have seen show the 
transmission route in relation to the PCT. I used the SDG&E maps to trace 
what I have interpeted at the routes of the alternative transmission line 
corridors on a topographic map along with the PCT. It can be viewed at 
http://www.sover.net/~kenandeb/topo/pctpowerline.jpg
It appears to me that the preferred alignment follows the route of the PCT 
within 1 to 2 miles the length of the San Fellipe Hills, for 8 to 10 miles. 
A alternative route that follows the road is even closer.

It has been my experience that Electric Utilities will propose power lines 
that solve the engineering problem, at the least cost, and the where it is 
politically feasible. SDG&E has eliminated the possibility of running the 
line beside the only existing major transmission route from the interior 
desert (one s) into San Diego County. That line runs close to the Mexican 
Border and follows the Interstate 8 I believe. Their reasoning is that 
power needs to be brought into the northern San Diego area. To closely 
follow an existing transmission route also increases the chance of both 
lines being out at the same time therefore decreasing reliability. I also 
suspect that building another transmission line south/north through San 
Diego County to support Northern San Diego County could be quite difficult 
and expensive.

I would love to hear what anyone has learned from the current meetings.
Thanks,
Ken Roberts




Message: 34
Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2007 17:45:52 -0800
From: "Don Line" <DON at roel.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Huge Powerlines Crossing the PCT in San Diego
	County
To: "montypct" <montypct at gmail.com>,<pct-l at mailman.backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <45CA104F.F238.0025.0 at roel.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Here we go again !  yes, the proposed power line will cross the trail,
but the vast majority will be out of site from the trail...up to 10
miles away ! (not like the article in the Communicator suggests)  What
damage are you talking about ?  SDG&E is a very environmental friendly
company and takes it's work very serious.  Do you know how transmission
lines are constructed ?  Many time the only access to the towers is via
helicopters.  I've already put my two cents work to the PUC......which I
approve of the needed 'reliable' power that most of California needs.
And, I'm working in my office as we speak....with the lights on !
don

 >>> "montypct" <montypct at gmail.com> 2/7/2007 5:19 PM >>>
There are proposed 500 kv 16 story tall power lines proposed by San
Diego Gas and Electric that in no way can get from point A to point B
without crossing the PCT.  They will do a lot of damage in other nearby
wilderness areas too.


Here's some more information (from The Wilderness Society) about the
hearing that Monty mentioned last week:

San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDGE) is proposing to build a
massive powerline through designated wilderness in Anza-Borrego Desert
State Park. Wilderness designation should protect wild lands forever.
Unfortunately, there's an exception in California law that allows state
wilderness to be de-designated in some situations. SDGE is attempting to
profit from this loophole. For the first time in California's history, a
state wilderness could lose its protection.

The California State Park and Recreation Commission is the governing
body that can de-designate state park wilderness. They will vote on
SDGE's proposal on February 8.

Your input is essential - before the Commission votes - so please  come
to the meeting or write a letter to voice your opinion!

If you want to help by simply showing up or even sign up to say a few
words, here's some info:

http://kdfuller.blogspot.com/2007/01/save-anza-borrego-on-February-8-2007.html
  (Sierra club announcement)

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=24490

http://sandiego.sierraclub.org/northcounty/Sunrise.asp

There's a public hearing at 2:30 with the California public utilities
Commission and 7:00 pm with the California state Parks.

A statement from the PCTA will be read at both.

Free Food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No, but maybe
that got some hiker's attention.



Warner Springs Monty