A regional energy study released today calls for a massive increase in San Diego’s reliance on solar power as a way to supplant the need for the Sunrise Powerlink, a $1.4 billion power line proposed by San Diego Gas & Electric.
The report, which was commissioned by the San Diego Foundation and authored by local engineer Bill Powers, a Sunrise critic, recommends developing a $1.5 billion San Diego Solar Initiative — akin to a statewide initiative currently underway.
While acknowledging that the renewable-energy plan was “ambitious,” Powers said it would help the region increase its energy independence and reduce climate-change inducing impacts from fossil-fuel generated electricity.
Powerlink proponents with the Community Alliance for the Sunrise Powerlink called Powers’ study flawed, saying it could cost as much as $20 billion to implement.
We’ll have more on this later.