Temecula Gathers At SDG&E's Open House Over Proposed Power Line Project

TEMECULA, CA — A yellow-shirt-wearing crowd was expected to gather in record August heat Wednesday to ask SDG&E questions about the proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink power line route through the city.

The open house is scheduled at the Embassy Suites, 29345 Rancho California Road, from 4 to 7 p.m., right across from the Temecula Duck Pond.

Members and supporters of Save Temecula, a non-profit grassroots coalition representing thousands of area residents and businesses, will be in attendance throughout the evening as concerned community members and community leaders. All can gather to ask questions, glean answers to better understand the utility's plans, and lodge complaints.

The San Diego Gas & Electric team in charge of the Golden Pacific Powerlink project, which has a pre-planned route for 190-foot-tall energized power lines through South Temecula, has set up an open house for anyone concerned to come and ask questions, according to the local community activist group "Save Temecula."

According to the non-profit's president, Mark Winkler, the open house is merely a "box-checking exercise."

"It won't change SDG&E's course, despite widespread opposition citing fire risk, property value impacts, and damage to the area's scenic and environmental character," he said. "The group is calling on SDG&E to withdraw its proposal and on the California Public Utilities Commission to reject this plan.

What attendees can expect when they arrive:

Due to the ballroom's capacity of 250, only groups of that size will be allowed inside.

There will be multiple tables staffed by SDG&E representatives, including subject-matter consultants, who will answer questions one-on-one.

Tables include: EMF, Wildfire, Engineering, Purpose & Needs (manned by CAISO or SDG&E reps), CEQA & NEPA Process, Land & Real Estate, Environmental Resources.

"Guests will walk up to a table, speak with one of the reps stationed there, ask questions, and then rotate to other tables," according to the SDG&E news release.

There will be an additional table where individuals can write down questions or concerns not covered by the topical tables.

"Given the capacity of the room, SDG&E anticipates that there may be a line to wait to enter, especially at the beginning of the event. If the room is at capacity, as people filter out of the room, they will allow more people inside."