PACE makes push toward PUC meeting

Group says Nov. 19 meeting is last chance to voice opposition to Edison’s proposed power path

Sun-Gazette

A group of residents opposing Southern California Edison’s plan to place high voltage towers through Tulare County agriculture land say now is the time to say “No!” to the plan.

“It’s our last chance to be heard in our efforts to change the Edison Company’s plans to build a high voltage power line through productive ag land and our communities,” said George McEwen, speaking of the California Public Utilities Commission’s public hearing to be held Nov. 19 at 6:30 pm at the Visalia Convention Center.

McEwen is chairman of PACE (Protect Agriculture Communities Environment), a large group of people opposed to Southern California Edison’s application to construct the San Joaquin Cross Valley Loop, a 220 kV electric transmission line from the Big Creek-Springville line to the Rector substation in east Visalia.

Administrative Judge Hallie Yacknin, sitting for the CPUC, has invited the public to make their views known about the project. Speakers at the public participation hearing, she said, may address any and all issues they would like to bring forward.

While Edison has identified several alternative routes for the new line, its preferred route No. 1 would consist of 19-miles of new construction with 120 to 160 ft. high poles and towers beginning near Lemon Cove and ending at the Rector Substation, southeast of Visalia.

McEwen said this route is a detriment to agriculture and the scenic nature of the Hwy 198 corridor. As planned, it would cross the highway in two places and cut a 100-foot swath through productive permanent plantings. The line parallels Hwy 198 and intersects the entrances to Exeter and Farmersville before joining the Rector line at Rd 148.

The line’s location in Farmersville is particularly onerous, McEwen said, because it bisects the city’s planned industrial park area and Edison will allow no type of construction or development within its easement.

“The other alternative routes would certainly be less harmful to the environment and the county’s economy than Rte 1 and all would affect far fewer people,” said McEwen. PACE members are distributing flyers about the hearing and drumming up large attendance for it.

• Among the list of concerns expected to be aired before the PUC are:
• Alternative energy – solar, biomass, dairy, etc. – to stabilize power supply, instead of new lines
• Economic impacts to communities, businesses, farms
• Farming practices that will not be allowed within the right of way
• Archaeological impacts to native American sites
• Long term health issues, EMFs, pacemakers, psychological response to lines
• Possibilities for Stokes Mountain (Rte 3) alternative – fewer people, grazing land
• Permanent damage to the Farmersville General Plan, the long term viability of the community and the hardship to residents due lack of a large full service supermarket.
• Cumulative effects of Rte 1, coupled with PG&E’s proposed C3ETP line.