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Greetings,
I have a lot of news to report on behalf of the San Diego Smart Energy Solutions campaign to protect Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the Cleveland National Forest and local communities from SDG&E's unnecessary, destructive Sunrise Powerlink. Earlier this week, the Phase II Evidentiary Hearings kicked off in San Diego. This is the legal part of the Sunrise Powerlink application process. It takes place in a courtroom atmosphere with a judge presiding over expert witnesses giving testimony and being cross-examined by attorneys. Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity have several witnesses testifying about the irreparable harm this project will cause to the environment. During these legal proceedings, SDG&E has been on the stand, and boy have we learned some interesting information. For example, on Monday Mr. Michael Niggli, SDG&E's Chief Operating Office, acknowledged what we have known all along - that it's possible Sunrise Powerlink could deliver more fossil-fueled power than "green" electricity! To read the full North County Times article, click HERE. In addition to media coverage of the Evidentiary Hearings, Author and Expert Bill Powers was in the news talking about Southern California Edison's new aggressive rooftop solar initiative that I told you about last week. Mr. Powers is the author of the peer-reviewed San Diego Smart Energy 2020 proposal, a clean, smart energy alternative to Sunrise Powerlink. Click HERE to access the full report. He emphasized that SoCal Edison's plan proves we have smarter, more cost-affordable ways to produce energy than building a big, outdated transmission line like Sunrise Powerlink. To read the full North County Times article, please click HERE. Finally, there is an important local Sunrise Powerlink opportunity this week. This Friday, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Board of Directors will vote on whether or not to endorse Sunrise Powerlink. Even though SANDAG's Energy Working Group found this damaging proposal to be inconsistent with San Diego's Regional Energy Strategy, the SANDAG Board is expected to ignore the recommendation and support Sunrise, because many Board members individually support the project. SANDAG needs to hear from the public that Sunrise Powerlink is the wrong solution for San Diego - we have smarter energy alternatives like San Diego Smart Energy 2020, a proposal that IS consistent with our Regional Energy Strategy! Can you attend the meeting on Friday, April 11th at 9:00 a.m. to urge SANDAG's Board to make the right decision? Details are below:URGE LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION FOR SAN DIEGO: SPEAK OUT AT FRIDAY'S SANDAG MEETING! WHO: SANDAG Board of Directors WHAT: Sunrise Powerlink Vote WHEN: This Friday, April 11th at 9:00 a.m. WHERE: 401 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101 (The Wells Fargo Building), 7th Floor, SANDAG Board Room. For a map, click HERE. I hope to see you at the meeting! Best, Micah P.S. Urge local Government officials to support smart energy alternatives to Sunrise Powerlink by speaking out at the SANDAG meeting this Friday, April 11th! The meeting is 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 401 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101 in the Seventh Floor Board Room.
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