REGION: CPUC chairman calls for power line approval

Proposal would eliminate green energy condition

By DAVE DOWNEY - Staff Writer | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 7:41 PM PST ∞

The chairman of a state regulatory body Tuesday set the stage for allowing San Diego Gas & Electric Co. to build its controversial power line through the southern part of the county, without guaranteeing it will ship green energy over the wires.

A decision could come as early as Dec. 18.

California Public Utilities Commission President Michael Peevey, who chairs the panel, released something called an alternate proposed decision, which differs from an earlier proposal to approve the line.

That other proposal recommended approving the southern route on the condition SDG&E show how the line would be used to bring in green power, through submitting a document called a "compliance plan."

SDG&E officials objected to that condition at a commission hearing in San Francisco last week, saying it would delay the line and discourage energy developers from building solar and wind farms in the desert.

"It is well recognized that the lack of transmission is the single biggest barrier to meeting renewable power goals and thus lowering greenhouse gas emissions," Peevey said. "My alternate proposed decision clears the way for a new renewable energy superhighway."

Project opponents immediately criticized the proposal.

Micah Mitrosky, conservation organizer for the Sierra Club in San Diego County, said, "This proposed decision tosses aside the best tool California has to make sure that SDG&E fulfills its renewable energy promises."

But SDG&E welcomed it.

"We are pleased that two CPUC commissioners now have voiced their support for the Sunrise Powerlink, and today's alternate proposed decision ... agrees the line is needed to transport the renewable energy supplies," said Jennifer Briscoe, a company spokeswoman, by e-mail.

Peevey's proposal came one day after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who supports the line, signed an executive order calling for 33 percent of California's electricity to come from green sources by 2020.

Existing state law requires 20 percent by 2010. And Sunrise Powerlink isn't considered economical at that level. But Peevey said the project would provide $125 million in annual benefits under a 33 percent requirement.

Michael Shames, executive director for the Utility Consumers' Action Network in San Diego, which contends the line would waste money, said the timing of the proposal one day after the governor's order was "no coincidence at all."

But Rachel Cameron, a Schwarzenegger spokeswoman, said the timing was not meant to boost Sunrise Powerlink's chances of getting approved.

Contact staff writer Dave Downey at (760) 745-6611, Ext. 2623, or ddowney@nctimes.com.