The Morning Report
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San Diego Gas & Electric’s proposed Sunrise Powerlink is headed for approval from the California Public Utilities Commission. Four commissioners have said they will support building the $1.9 billion, 123-mile high-voltage power line without any conditions that it be required to deliver green energy to San Diego.
The commission, meeting in San Francisco, has not yet voted. But the majority of its five members say they support a decision that had been offered by commission President Michael Peevey.
If approved, the line would parallel the existing Southwest Power Link, the region’s other major high-voltage transmission line, for 36 miles in Imperial County and far eastern San Diego County, turn north near the In-Ko-Pah mountain range, avoid the Campo Indian Reservation, turn south and loop around the Hauser Wilderness, sweeping north again to follow Interstate 8.
SDG&E had previously said the only viable route would bisect Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and run through northern San Diego County, including Julian and Santa Ysabel.
Approval doesn’t guarantee that construction will start any time soon. Opponents are likely to file litigation.