Senator Hernandez Calls on CPUC to Hear Resident's
Concerns Over Transmission Towers Near Homes
DUARTE, CA, July 12, 2011 – Duarte homeowner concerns over Southern California Edison’s construction of massive 200 foot transmission towers in close proximity to homes has spurred California State Senator Ed Hernandez (24th Senate District) to request the California Public Utilities Commission to send an official to inspect the tower placements and meet with residents.
Senator Hernandez, who met with a group of concerned residents at the site of one of the towers on June 23, said his office has received numerous complaints from residents in Duarte concerning Edison’s Tehachapi Transmission Project, which was approved for construction by the CPUC. A portion of the project runs through a two-mile corridor in the City of Duarte. Towers have been erected between Tocino Dr. and Greenbank Ave., and at Hacienda Park. Another is under construction on east Sunnydale Dr., west of Brookridge.
“There have been a number of objections raised by those living near the towers, the most troubling of which include assertions that there was little public notice of recent changes to the scope and placement of the project relative to homes, and little chance for public input on those changes,” said the Senator in a letter to the CPUC.
During the on-site meeting, Senator Hernandez said some residents shared with him that they felt misled by initial renderings of the project. Many were under the impression that Edison workers would only be adding height to the old towers at the original location, and were shocked to see them moved closer to their homes. In one case, Edison erected a 200 foot high tower seven feet from a resident’s property line. There have been additional concerns expressed by homeowners, including the overall effect of the project of their property values and physical safety. After the project was re-designed, the closer proximity of the towers to homes has prompted objections to the towers as eyesores. Those homeowners closest to the towers have also voiced their fears over the potential risk of injury/and or property damage given that a known earthquake fault line runs underneath the new tower locations.
“I know the CPUC values, as I do, the input and opinions of the Californians they serve. I only ask that these constituents have an opportunity to make their voices heard,” said Senator Hernandez. For more information, contact the office of Senator Hernandez at (626) 430-2499, the City of Duarte at (626) 357-7931, ext 223, and for more information about the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP), call (877) 795-8787 or visit www.sce.com/tehachapi.
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