KXO RADIO - IID - Menvielle offers testimony before state commission

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Todays is : Friday, 09 January 2009

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Written by George Gale
Friday, 29 February 2008
(The Imperial Irrigation District reiterates position on S D G & E project)…The Project is the Sunrise Power Link. It is being designed to carry energy, preferably renewable resources, from Imperial County to San Diego, and possibly beyond. The California Public Utilities Commission has held a series of five public meetings on the Project. The last of the hearings was held this week. At the Hearing, IID Board President John Pierre Menvielle delivered testimony on the Districts position on the project. The IID recently broke off negotiations with San Diego Gas and Electric surrounding the project, also known as Green Path South. In his prepared statement, Menvielle said the IID still supports the Sunrise Power Link Project. What they are opposed to is the chosen route. Menvielle said the S D G & E preferred route is the so-called Northern Route. He said that route would have a negative impact on farmland and agriculture in Imperial County. He said the proposed route would cut through some of the most productive farmland in Imperial Valley and would have severe impacts on farms, Dairies, irrigation systems and other agriculture operations. Menvielle said the Commission should select the Southern Route. Also at the hearing, that ended Wednesday, it was learned Sempra Energy is awaiting a Presidential Permit to allow them to construct a 500 kilovolt cross border transmission line. That line would pass through Tecate, connecting a new power plant being constructed near the Rumorosa to the Sunrise Power Link.