Temecula Opponents Of Proposed Power Transfer Line Gain Powerful Allies In RivCo Supes, Cal Fire

TEMECULA, CA — Temecula's city council has promised to keep its open opposition to the Golden Pacific Powerlink front and center in the public eye. This week

Though the council canceled its Tuesday meeting, members current and past took the conversation to Riverside, addressing the county supervisors on the community's battle against SDG&E's proposed 200-foot-tall power transfer lines the utility has eyed for our city limits and neighboring communities. Now, they have added the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department's opposition to their growing list.

This week, Mayor Jessica Alexander, together with councilmember Zak Schwank, City Manager Aaron Adams, Luke Watson, and past City Councilwoman Maryann Edwards, took the microphone during public comments at the Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting. All asked for the board's full support. Riverside County Supervisors Chuck Washington and Karen Spiegel championed the cause, outlining their concerns about the massive project and whether Temecula and Riverside County should be eyed for the power transfer line.

"I'm here today to carry the voices for our 100,000 residents of our community who have overwhelmingly stood up in opposition to this project," Schwank said.

"These are not ordinary utility poles," Alexander said during the meeting. "These structures would permanently alter some of the most scenic and culturally significant areas of our region." The mayor also cited concerns of wildfire safety in an area that lives under constant threat, and the need for aerial wildfire support.

Past councilwoman Maryann Edwards also shared her thoughts on the proposed Temecula route. Her thoughts were drawn to the monumental fight that began in the mid-2000s to save Pu’éska Mountain from an open-pit mining proposal known as the Liberty Quarry project. That much-contested proposal was planned adjacent to the Temecula city boundary and would have been among the largest aggregate-mining quarries in the United States, with up to 1,600 gravel-truck trips every day, boulder blasts, lights, noise, and dust, all in the path of prevailing winds, overlooking the city. Edwards was on the council when that battle officially ended Nov. 15, 2012, as Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro announced during an impromptu news conference that the tribe closed escrow on 365 acres of land that was the proposed quarry site.

"They could not have picked a worse place," Edwards said. "We said the same thing to Liberty Quarry. The Temecula Creek is protected. It flows right past homes and schools. There are 70 endangered species that inhabit the immediate area around the river, just at the foot of Pu’éska Mountain, which is the cradle of civilization for Pechanga, our garden of Eden."

Aaron Adams, Temecula's City Manager, also spoke about the dangers of such high voltage running through an area that experiences daily strong winds from the west.

"Unlike vast open space land, Temecula Creek is surrounded by thousands upon thousands of homes and businesses. With Temecula acting like a wind tunnel most afternoons, fires will rapidly spread to adjacent homes and businesses because firefighters will be forced to delay air and ground attacks until SDG&E not only deenergizes the towers but also arrives on site to deem it safe. And we've seen fires in Temecula Creek often enough to know that there is no time to wait on the utility."

Moreover, Councilmember Brenden Kalfus shared his thoughts in a recent letter to the city.

"Although it may seem quiet at times, we are continuing to push forward in our fight against SDG&E's proposed high-voltage power lines and structures through our city," he wrote. "The council remains unanimously in opposition to the project."

He has shared more letters of support from Cal Fire's Local 2881.

Further south, in the small community of Warner Springs, groups are gathering to oppose the powerlink project, with many looking to Temecula's organizing efforts for guidance.

The fight will be more of a marathon than a sprint, Kalfus added.

"It may not make headlines every day, but every day work is being done to protect the health, safety, and well-being of our community, our wildlife corridor, significant cultural and environmental resources, our tourism identity, economic vitality, and more, including our quality of life," Kalfus wrote. "We are committed to seeing it through. Thank you for staying engaged and standing with us."

***

Patch is asking residents of Temecula and Warner Springs to share their thoughts on the proposed plans of the Golden Pacific Powerlink project.

Send your statements to your Patch editor, and we'll get the word out.

Related:

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

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

New Opposition To Proposed SDG&E Powerlink Transmission Line From Tourism, Wineries

Dear Temecula: Never Forget Pechanga Pu’éska Mountain Day