'People Over Powerlines:' Temecula Residents Voice Opposition Against SDG&E Transmission Line

TEMECULA, CA — Residents-turned-community-activists gathered to voice a unified opposition to the SDG&E proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink project route through Temecula at Tuesday's City Council meeting. Hundreds gathered to speak their minds about the proposed project and how it would affect life, livelihoods, safety and property values if allowed to continue.

The goal: To prove Temecula will not go quietly.

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In early May, the Golden Pacific Powerlink designated a stretch of Temecula as part of its proposed 144-mile-long route for extra-high-voltage 500-kV transmission lines. The transfer lines would be strung between nearly 200-foot-tall towers, running through the heart of Temecula from Imperial Valley through Anza Borrego State Park, and into Riverside County. The towers and lines would run through horse and wine country, becoming the backdrop of established neighborhoods, schools, churches, and businesses in an area that thrives off its wine, tourism, and hot air ballooning. All of which would be in jeopardy if the state selects the Temecula urban path for the powerlink.

At the meeting, Mayor Jessica Alexander challenged the utility spokespeople to say otherwise.

The community is working together to battle the extra-high-voltage transmission lines spanning between 190-foot towers through Temecula Creek, which, if allowed, would become Temecula's new skyline.

"Every seat was taken in the city council chambers and the overflow area in the conference center," Council Member James Stew Stewart said.

Over almost five hours, the city council and more than 100 residents directed comments to the stakeholders of the Golden Pacific Powerlink project: SDG&E and California Independent System Operator representatives who were present.

They heard the unified, informed, and at times emotional sentiments that Temecula Valley is not the place for this project.

But there is much more still to do, said former mayor and current City Council Member Brenden Kalfus. He spoke with concerned residents before the session, explaining that this was the first step on a long road.

"Tonight is all about you guys, all about letting SDG&E hear what you have to say," Kalfus said. "It's their public outreach; they know what's coming, and they know the support that's not going to be there for them. But our fight is with the state and the state agencies. It is the state agency that approves all of this; we have no say other than our voice."

"This is the most beautiful place I've ever lived," a mother told Patch. She's lived in the valley for three years. "Then I hear about the powerlink. Where? Right through Temecula Creek? That's where my kids are going to middle school! They indicated that this is in the works. The proposed route is generic. We need to bypass Temecula altogether."

Resident Brad Chavez is a transplant from Northern California. He believes the path through Temecula is the wrong move. "Temecula is the California dream that is still affordable," he said. "They are choosing the path of least resistance. They know that if they get it through Temecula, they're home free because we're not customers; they can wash their hands of it and completely shield their customers from all the publicity. It's cynical what they're doing."

Tracy Wert, a resident for 27 years, shared his thoughts. "The city of Temecula has done such a great job in planning this community. We don't need the radiation from these power lines near these houses. We don't need them lowering our property values for their property. We don't need the threat of fire. It is a hard no."

The city, which has often gone to battle on political issues, stood in solidarity.

An overflow room was already filling up by 2:45 p.m. Parking in Old Town was maxed out, and by the time the session started, the breezeway and all rooms were filled.

Kalfus explained the process.

"We'll have our questions, they'll have their rebuttals, but our community is going to fight against it. The route they chose is the only route that goes through an urban area."

Erica Martin, Director of Project Development for Golden Pacific, defended the plan, saying this was the beginning of routing and siting for the project. All noted the final route had not yet been determined.

"Once we’ve completed the early studies and community outreach, what we’ll do for the next several months is submit to CPUC - they have ultimate CEQUA - and will determine if and where it will be built. We are looking to develop the most cost-effective route," she said. "The largest driver of cost is the length of the line."

No permits have been submitted yet, though the utility plans to submit them at the end of 2026. Biological and archaeological surveys are already taking place. Residents of Morgan Hill and other areas have received letters stating that their properties would be surveyed, according to an SDG&E letter obtained by Patch.

Mayor Jessica Alexander asked about the four other suggested routes that did not go through populated areas, which the group declined to discuss.

Mayor Pro Tem Matt Rahn suggested that the maps they provided were either missing from early presentations or difficult to understand. "Your map looks like a treasure map on the back of a restaurant placemat. There is only one place you could put this line and that is through Temecula Creek."

Rahn also went toe-to-toe with SDG&E's Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Geraghty, regarding their armed escourt into the meeting. "This is Temecula. What are you afraid of?"

Both council members, Brenden Kalfus and Zak Schwank, raised concerns about the extreme fire dangers that high-voltage lines might pose to the area, already known for its fire risk.

Geraghty claimed that 500-kV lines "never, almost never" sparked wildfires, a statement with which Kalfus, a firefighter and information officer for the Anaheim Fire Department, vehemently disagreed. Geraghty also claimed that SDG&E hadn't made a payment to fire victims since the $2.4 billion settlement resolving 2,500 civil lawsuits after the catastrophic 2007 Southern California Witch and Rice Fires.

Each registered resident had their minute at the microphone, showing what matters:

Wildfire and firefighting concerns, health questions, property values, and the blight of the monoliths on the pristine, historic valley. Temecula has previously joined forces with the Pechanga Band of Indians to shut down the Sunrise Powerlink through this area, and the Granite Quarry, both of which were recurring topics of discussion. It is time to do it again.

Though not present, Mark Macarro, Pechanga's Tribal Chairman, has spoken against the SDG&E Golden Pacific Powerlink proposal:

“The Tribe has serious concerns about the proposed route’s potential impacts to Pechanga’s ancestral cultural resources and the overall community. We are closely monitoring the proposal and expect our tribal government to be meaningfully consulted.”

Erica Martin, Project Manager for the Powerlink, has said that the tribes would be brought into the discussion. She also stated that any missing maps from earlier meetings would be shared.

In their final comments, Council Member Schwank said: "This is a huge decision that can't be undone, it's a huge scar on our valley. This is something that most absolutely needs to stop and we are here to stop it. Other than that, when we get to the motion, everything is on the table for me."

Council Member Stewart's voice was charged with emotion, addressing the residents present.

"We are just five voices. If you weren't there? There would be no pushback. The fact that you are sitting there. Temecula is not the place for this. The valley is way too important; we are 115,000 people, and it's part of our souls. If you live here, it's part of your soul. That being said," he addressed the representatives, "Please move this somewhere else."

Mayor Pro Tem Rahn addressed the power representatives, saying there are still many unanswered questions.

"Utilities keep proposing massive capital investments like this without addressing the main alternative for where our grid needs to go. Once the grid is done, it's obsolete, like one speaker said. I will say you have selected one of the most environmentally, culturally, and community-impactful routes imaginable."

On the motion of Alexander, seconded by Kalfus, the council unanimously decided to draft a formal resolution opposing the project.

Next, the city attorney will take the fight to the state level, on behalf of the residents who demand it.

"This project won't be approved tomorrow; this is a years-long battle. We have our questions; they will have their rebuttal. But not one person came up to this podium, save for SDG&E and CAISO, and was for it," Alexander said. "(They) say they are just starting, but so is our grassroots movement."

She added, "One thing I want to add is that in CAISO's 2024 May 9 meeting, they proposed a route that would traverse an urban area, Temecula, saying 'The ISO understands that routing transmission facilities in urban areas poses a risk of public opposition, which can negatively impact budget and schedule risk,'" she said. "The route they chose is the only one that goes through a city, a neighborhood, schools, wine country, and Pechanga. People over powerlines, every time."

Among those who have also opposed the powerlink are the representatives of Visit Temecula Valley, such as board president Mike Rennie.

"Temecula Valley Wine Country is not only an economic engine for our region, but also a protected agricultural destination that families, visitors, and businesses have invested decades into building," Rennie said. "Placing massive transmission infrastructure through the heart of wine country threatens the rural character, scenic beauty, and long-term sustainability that make this region so special. We strongly urge SDG&E and state decision-makers to pursue alternative routes that protect our wineries, vineyards, residents, visitors, and wildlife from unnecessary environmental and wildfire risks."

Battling the powerlink will be a year-long project.

This summer, more virtual open houses will take place as SDG&E files with the California Public Utilities Commission. If the powerlink is approved, construction would begin in as little as three years, with service operating in 2032.

The Golden Pacific Powerlink remains in what they call the early planning and environmental review phase and is subject to CPUC review and approval.

A statement released by SDG&E about the powerlink and Temecula's pushback says: "We recognize there are strong views and questions in Temecula about this project, and we appreciate the opportunity to hear directly from residents and local leaders. The Golden Pacific Powerlink is in the early stages of planning, and no final route has been selected," the statement reads. "We are committed to listening and engaging with the community and the City of Temecula as the process moves forward, and to ensuring that local input helps inform the project as it evolves."

Temecula residents did their part to extend local priorities, which do not include 120- to 190-foot-tall transfer lines, in the community.

"We do not support this project." One commenter said.

Gillian Larson, longtime community non-profit supporter, shared her thoughts at the meeting: "You've got a fight on your hands. You don't want to pick Temecula."

Related:

Temecula Pushes Back Against Massive High-Voltage Transmission Project Planned Through The City