Sunrise Powerlink project approved by California
In an apparent victory for renewable energy proponents, the California Public Utility Commission voted on Thursday to approve SDG&E’s plans to build the Sunrise Powerlink transmission lines by a 4-1 vote.
The approval process proved quite contentious, with opponents arguing that SDG&E did not actually intend to use the lines for renewable energy, and also objecting that the lines would damage the sensitive Anza-Borrego desert.
In a nod to the second of these concerns, the PUC required SDG&E to move the towers from the originally proposed route and to run them instead along the Interstate 8 corridor, which already has a set of lines running near it.
However, the PUC did not mandate that SDG&E only transport renewable energy on the lines, which could lead to a mixture of clean and dirty power on the lines.
Nonetheless, we see this decision as a victory for renewable energy. All of these environmental and policy decisions are balancing tests, and it appears pragmatism won out with this one. Hopefully this decision will pave the way for other transmission projects intended to transport renewable energy throughout the country.
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Comments
2 Comments on Sunrise Powerlink project approved by California
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Bob on
Thu, 18th Dec 2008 8:17 pm
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Larry Hogue on
Fri, 19th Dec 2008 9:15 am
Why is transmission the answer?
Even if the lines do carry a percentage of energy generated from renewable resources there is plenty of sun in San Diego.
We don’t need to scar the backcountry in our attempt to bring power into the San Diego region.
This whole project is profit motivated and nothing else.
Ratepayers will pay for the Sunrise Powerlink construction which is close to 2 billion dollars.
Bob B.
Leucadia
You got this one wrong. SDG&E and Sempra are using renewable energy to shill for their liquid natural gas infrastructure in Baja. Meanwhile, they have lobbied strenuously against the best way to provide solar power in California, a Feed-In Tariff for photovoltaics.
You also missed incorrectly state that the decision doesn’t require them to carry ONLY renewable power. Actually, the decision doesn’t require them to carry ANY renewable power. SDG&E consistently fought against ANY requirements that the line carry ANY amount of renewable power, so how you can call this a victory for renewable power is beyond me.
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