CPUC Responds to Sen. Hernandez Letter on Duarte
Concerns Over Construction of Towers Near Homes
DUARTE, CA, August 25, 2011 – While the City of Duarte continues to pursue every avenue to secure relief and mitigation in regard to the impact on the community over Southern California Edison’s Tehachapi Transmission Project, the California Public Utilities Commission has once again dismissed Duarte concerns, this time in a response letter to State Senator Ed Hernandez (24th Senate District).
Senator Hernandez met with a group of concerned residents at the site of one of the towers on June 23, after having received numerous complaints from residents in Duarte concerning construction of the massive towers in close proximity to homes. The project was approved for construction by the CPUC. A portion of the project runs through a two-mile corridor in the City of Duarte. Towers over 200-feet have been erected between Tocino Dr. and Greenbank Ave., and at Hacienda Park. Another is under construction on east Sunnydale Dr., west of Brookridge. After meeting with the residents, Senator Hernandez sent a letter to request the CPUC send an official to inspect the tower placements and meet with residents.
Michael R. Peevey, president of the CPUC, in his response to Senator Hernandez, defended the CPUC approval of the SCE project, noting that approval was granted “following two and a half years of intensive review”. Peevey wrote: “This review, which received considerable public scrutiny, included a thorough environmental analysis as mandated by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) where engineers and environmental specialists reviewed the project and its effects on the environment.” Peevey further stated in his response to Senator Hernandez: “Included in this analysis was a robust public participation process with over 15 public meetings and/or open houses throughout the project area, including two in the city of Duarte. Public comments were received and given serious consideration in the decision-making process, when the project was approved.”
Duarte residents told Senator Hernandez 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.
Regarding safety, Peevey responded: “both lattice structures and tubular steel poles are built to strict engineering standards and government codes and are designed to withstand severe ground movements. The transmission line does cross an earthquake fault line near Duarte, similar to many transmission lines in California. However, it crosses the fault line in a perpendicular fashion, rather than running along the fault line. This is the preferred engineering solution.”
To the request for a CPUC representative to visit the project area and meet with residents, Peevey responded: “CPUC staff is quite familiar with the project. As part of the CEQA process, CPUC staff toured the project area many times and CPUC staff and its field monitors continue to visit the project area during construction. SCE has agreed to hold a meeting in Duarte to meet with residents and hear their concerns.” Peevey said the CPUC will send a representative to the meeting.
“Although the CPUC’s response is not what we hoped for, we are somewhat encouraged that they will participate in a meeting led by SCE with the residents. It will give our residents another opportunity to voice their very valid concerns over the size and placement of the towers. It is the CPUC’s job to listen and respond fully and respectfully to the public,” said Duarte City Manager, Darrell George.
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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