Does the Sunrise Powerlink pose a fire hazard for San Diego County?
• Yes. Experts have testified that normal operation and maintenance of the Sunrise Powerlink line may incur “negative public health and safety impacts as well as large unanticipated costs to the public, public lands, and ratepayers due to one or more wildland fires accidentally ignited.” (Source: Phase I Direct Testimony of the Mussey Grade Road Alliance Fire Analysis – Economic Impacts, May 31, 2007) • Accidental ignitions are many and include ignitions from construction, aircraft collisions, bird collisions, downed lines, illegal campfires, target shooting, hunting, and arson along and from access roads. (Source: Phase I Direct Testimony of David Hogan on Behalf of Conservation Groups, June 1, 2007) • In addition, firefighting efforts are hampered near transmission lines, both on the ground and in the air, thus enabling a fire to grow in size. During a recent brush fire in east San Diego County, CDF stated that powerlines created an initial hazard in fighting the fire.
Related Questions
- Do we need the Sunrise Powerlink in order to have clean renewable energy in San Diego, and to meet California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)?
- Will the Sunrise Powerlink pose a health hazard to communities due to electric and magnetic fields?
- Does the Sunrise Powerlink pose a fire hazard for San Diego County?
