TEMECULA, CA — A handful of new alternative routes were proposed by SDG&E in its push toward making the Golden Pacific Powerlink plan a reality, and only one of them avoids the city of Temecula. On Monday, SDG&E shared an alternative route map with city officials, which, according to the city manager and council, isn't good enough.
In its quest to provide future power needs of San Diego and Orange County, the proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink path, over 150 miles long, with almost 200-foot-tall energized 500 K transmission lines, SDG&E's largest capital project to date, would traverse sensitive state parks, indigenous tribal lands and blaze a path through communities such as Temecula and Warner Springs, according to SDG&E director of project development Erica Martin.
Still, the path of least resistance is resisting.
Before obtaining approval from the California Public Utilities Commission, the Powerlink project's cost must be explained. CASIO (California Independent System Operator) would spread out the costs of the power link among all customers of the state's grid, with customers shouldering almost 10-percent of the financial burden.
The original proposed route through Warner Springs and Temecula is shown in green, and the alternative route, skirting both cities, is shown in blue. Temecula's City Manager, Aaron Adams, says this is still not the "robust alternatives" promised to the city.
"(SDG&E) has only one alternative that avoids Temecula. It is still deeply troubling, as they promised a robust alternative analysis," Adams said. "One alternative is not robust.
Adams added that even though an alternative is provided, SDG&E continues to advance the Temecula route above the South Mountain Alternative.
"SDG&E's preferred route through Temecula shows that cost appears to be the driving factor at the expense of people, public safety, communities and the environment," Adams said. The leadership of Save Temecula sent a statement offering their thoughts, in line with the city's.
"SDG&E has a responsibility to identify and evaluate the least impactful route, a responsibility it has failed to fulfill," says Save Temecula. "SDG&E has repeatedly told the Temecula community that the preliminary route disclosed in May is not final and that community feedback would help shape the project. Yet, this week, SDG&E announced that it plans to submit four routes when it files with the CPUC later this year — and only one avoids Temecula."
What is the Open House All About?
Residents of Temecula are invited to attend an open house in August to learn more about the proposed SDG&E Golden Pacific Powerlink Project, which would bring 200-foot-tall power transfer lines straight through Temecula. It will take place on Aug. 26, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Temecula's Embassy Suites, located at 29345 Rancho California Road.
Here, concerned residents will get the latest information on the project, the new route alternative(s) identified by SDG&E for study under the California Environmental Quality Act, according to SDG&E.
The city contends that, since no final route has been selected, resident involvement is key to informing the utility about how residents, the school district, and others feel about the prospect of the towers slicing across town and through sensitive environmental and wildland areas.
The powerlink's purpose, according to SDG&E, would be "to help strengthen the regional grid, support reliability and connect energy resources where they are needed," an SDG&E news release stated. Still, an SDG&E spokesperson said at a community meeting that the power running through the powerlink was destined for areas outside of Temecula and Riverside County.
Mark Winkler, President of Save Temecula, said recently, "Progress should never come at the expense of the people it claims to serve."
On Tuesday, Temecula's city manager spoke on safety, one of the largest reasons not to build transmission lines in an already heavily populated area.
"SDG&E's proposed route would be devastating to the lives and livelihoods of all Temecula residents," he said. "Last week, the Los Angeles city and Fire Department shared that the deadly Eaton fire in Altadena, which killed 19 people and destroyed more than 9,400 buildings, was started by electrical sparks coming off high-voltage towers."
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.
The Golden Pacific Powerlink remains in what they call "the early planning and environmental review phase and is subject to CPUC review and approval."
"California has the technology and expertise to lead the nation in modern infrastructure. There are numerous alternatives to spending billions of ratepayer dollars on massive overhead extra-high-voltage transmission lines that will be outdated by the time they are completed," Save Temecula spokesperson Shalini Renfro said. "We should be advancing safer, smarter, less destructive alternatives, not defaulting to century-old models that impose enormous costs on ratepayers, residents, communities, and the environment."
In July, the power company released a statement on Temecula's pushback saying:
"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 resident activists, Save Temecula!, recently gathered at the Temecula Duck Pond to protest the 120- to 190-foot-tall transfer lines in the community.
"We do not support this project." One commenter said at the initial meeting.
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
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