Sunrise Powerlink

NOTICE -- RECIRCULATED DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

A revised Draft EIR is available. Written comments will be accepted until August 25, 2008. To review the document, use this link:

http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/Environment/info/aspen/sunrise/toc-rdeir.htm

Outline of Contents

• Recirculation was prompted by change in specification to "connected actions" -- projects that would not proceed unless the current project is approved. The original DEIR outlined two such projects:
  • A 250 MW wind project called “Rumorosa Wind Developers II (RWD)”
  • The Jacumba Substation, required to interconnect Mexican generation to the CAISO transmission
    system via the existing Southwest Powerlink (SWPL) transmission line
• The dimensions of these two projects has been changed, and that is what prompted the revision and recirculation of the DEIR, as follows:
  • The Sempra La Rumorosa Wind Energy Projects was increased in size, now as having the capacity to generate up to 1,250 MW, much larger than the 250 MW originally proposed and new location closer to the United States.
  • SDG&E provided additional information on the substation in the U.S. as well as a new 69 kV transmission line and communication tower that would be required to interconnect the Sempra wind project, as well as rebuilding and increasing the size of the Boulevard Substation.
  • The electricity generated by the new wind turbines in Mexico is dependent on the addition of transmission capacity to the SDG&E transmission system in the Jacumba area. The SWPL does not have adequate capacity to carry this load. The Sunrise Powerlink or an alternative 500 kV transmission ine, built along either the proposed route or one of the southern routes, would be required to transmit the wind energy.
• Wind project details:
  • 2007-06-30 - Sempra entered into an agreement with Cannon Power Corporation of San Diego to develop a wind project near the town of La Rumorosa in the municipality of Tecate.
  • 2007 ?? Sempra Generation has agreed to sell SCE up to 250 MW of power from the La Rumorosa wind power facility under development.
  • 2007-12-20 - Sempra Generation filed an Application for Presidential Permit (APP) for an entity called Baja Wind U.S. Transmission, LLC to construct a transmission line that ould connect the Sempra La Rumorosa Wind Energy Projects (RWEP) with the existing Southwest Powerlink (SWPL) transmission line.
  • 2008-03-19 - Sempra Generation filed an Addendum to the Application or Presidential Permit (APP) with additional details of the project.
  • 2008-07 - EIR/EIS recirculated consisting of the following components:
    • Sempra La Rumorosa Wind Energy Projects (Sempra RWEP): up to 1,250 MW of wind generation
      in Mexico
    • Sempra Transmission Line: a double circuit 230 or single circuit 500 kV transmission line from
      Mexico to the U.S.
    • SDG&E Jacumba Substation: a 500/230/69 kV substation located east of the town of Jacumba
    • SDG&E 69 kV Transmission Line: a new 13.4-mile transmission line connecting the SDG&E Jacumba
      and Boulevard Substations
    • SDG&E Boulevard Substation Expansion: from1/4 to 3/4 acres
    • SDG&E Communication Facility: located in eastern San Diego County.

• RWEP Details
  • Constructed in phases, with the first phase estimated to be on line by 2010, and the final phase being completed and on line in 2013.
  • Located less than 1,000 feet north of the town of La Rumorosa, Baja California. La Rumorosa is approximately 70 miles southeast of San Diego in Mexico.
  • Will use 2.5 MW turbines for its first phase.
  • Assuming the use of 2.5 MW turbines, the 1,250 MW project would require 500 turbines. Sempra has identified an area of 7,500 acres within which the RWEP would be located (each turbine requires 15 acres).
  • Proposed the construction of approximately three miles of either double circuit 230 kV or 500 kV transmission line that would interconnect RWEP with the existing SWPL transmission line in San Diego County through the with the Jacumba Substation. Approximately three miles of either 230 or 500 kV transmission line would be required to interconnect the RWEP with the Jacumba Substation; one mile of the transmission line
  • steel lattice towers standing approximately 150 feet tall would be used for the transmission line. These structures would be installed approximately every 1,300 feet depending on site conditions (i.e., terrain, roadways, utilities; etc.) and transmission line alignment. The 3 miles of new transmission line would require approximately 12 to 15 new towers (four or five of which would be in the United States).

Comments on the earlier draft EIR

The proposed SDG&E Sunrise Powerlink (an unnecessary transmission line through Anza Borrego State Park intended to send "dirty" electric power from Mexico to LA). We need all of the allies we can find in this fight, and were wondering if your democratic club members might be interested in learning more about this important issue, and about how to prevent SDG&E's project from despoiling this jewel of a state park.

Mark Doyle
volunteer for the San Diego Sierra Club
619-997-2555

HELP GATHER SIGNATURES

Here are the leaflets and the petitions. WE MUST HAVE TONS OF NAMES ON PETITIONS AGAINST THE POWERLINK TO BALANCE THE LIST OF INSIDERS WHO ARE LISTED AS "FOR" IT.

• StopThePowerlink-Leaflet-3up.pdf: Stop the Powerlink leaflet (3-up)
• StopThePowerlinkPetition.pdf: Stop the Powerlink Petition - copy and gather signatures, mail these in so we can gather them together and add the names to our distribution list!

Recent Articles and Media:

This is the most recently published 20 articles, most recent first.

• Power line sent SDG&E warnings before fire began -- JHarry Jones, Union Tribune, 2008-07-11
• Cal Fire report blames SDG&E -- JHarry Jones Tony Manolatos? , Union Tribune, 2008-07-10
• Fires spawn lawsuits, possible charges against SDG&E -- Dave Downey? , North County Times, 2008-07-10
• Rice Fire Investigation Report -- , Cal Fire? , 2008-07-08 Cause determined to be downed power lines
• Witch Fire Investigation Report -- , Cal Fire? , 2008-07-08 Power line arcing is determined to be the cause of the fire.
• San Diego City Attorney's INTERIM REPORT NO. 32: CALIFORNIA’S RENEWABLE ENERGY MANDATE IN PERIL -- Mike Aguirre, San Diego City Attorney? , 2008-07-08
• REVISED SCOPING MEMO AND RULING OF THE ASSIGNED COMMISSIONER AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE -- Stephen Weissman? Dana Grueneich? , Public Utilities Commission? , 2008-06-20 The ALJ rules that the Draft EIR must be recirculated for further comment due to new information on the La Rumorosa project.
• Will These Keep the Lights On? -- Joe Deegan? , San Diego Reader, 2008-05-28
• Hundreds pack meetings on proposed Powerlink -- JHarry Jones, Union Tribune, 2008-05-13 Includes picture of Kristy Mundt
• Solar Projects Hinge on Proposed Powerlink -- Jaimey Lee, San Diego Business Journal, 2008-04-17
• Could county follow lead of utility's solar project? -- Dean Calbreath, Union Tribune, 2008-04-13
• SANDAG board backs Sunrise Powerlink by 17-3 vote -- JHarry Jones, Union Tribune, 2008-04-11
• Fire danger of Powerlink debated - Experts testify about safety risks -- JHarry Jones, Union Tribune, 2008-04-09
• State's role over Powerlink debated - Changing park plan could delay project -- JHarry Jones, Union Tribune, 2008-03-27
• Sunrise Powerlink and TE-VS Transmission Proposals Evaluation by SANDAG Energy Working Group -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2008-02-28
• SANDAG Energy Working Group Discusses the Sunrise Powerlink -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2008-02-28
• San Diego Smart Energy 2020 -- Bill Powers? , San Diego Renewable Energy Society? , 2008-02-20
• Analysts criticize Sunrise project - Other options proposed for SDG&E's power line -- Dean Calbreath, UCAN, 2008-01-04 SDG&E Sunrise Project: Analyst's E.I.R. report a "Death Knell"
• San Diego Smart Energy 2020 -- Bill Powers? , ETech International? , 2007-10
• JOINT LETTER on The Modified Route D Alternative to Sunrise Powerlink -- Dan Lawrence? , Beryl Buchanan? , Randy Lenac? , Gene Vick? , , 2007-09-04 Joel Anderson

Contributions

• Comments and thoughts from RaymondLutz on Sunrise Powerlink