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Tuesday, Mar 19, 2024
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San Diego Needs SDG & E;’s Valley Rainbow Project

San Diego Needs SDG & E;’s Valley Rainbow Project

Opinion by Supervisor Pam Slater

Not long ago California was in the midst of a full-fledged energy crisis.

Terms like Stage 3 alerts and rolling blackouts dominated headlines, and large, California-based companies were being tempted by other states to relocate to more energy-friendly markets.

Conservation programs and massive power purchases by the state of California have provided short-term relief. But a report by the California Energy Commission and a subsequent energy workshop by the California Independent System Operator reminds us that San Diego is far from reaching a long-term energy solution.

The commission’s report shows San Diego could be faced with a serious electricity shortage in 2003. In one scenario, San Diego is identified as the most “energy vulnerable” region in the state. Several new power plants slated for construction in California a year ago are now either being postponed or scrapped entirely. Lower energy prices and the Enron collapse have spooked power companies into rethinking construction projects in California.

With the industry in flux, San Diego County cannot afford to wait any longer for someone else to solve our energy problems. Our job market and economy depend upon it. The swift approval of San Diego Gas & Electric Co.’s proposed Valley Rainbow Interconnect transmission line has taken on renewed significance.

Under review by the California Public Utilities Commission, the Valley Rainbow Interconnect is a 500,000-volt transmission line that would connect a Southern California Edison substation in Riverside County to a new SDG & E; substation in San Diego County.

The line would deliver enough electricity to meet the needs of more than 700,000 homes, and it would ensure access to reliable and competitively-priced power in San Diego for many decades. The project is vital if San Diego County’s economy is to expand and grow.

The California ISO is the state agency responsible for transmission planning in California. The ISO stated numerous times that there is a “clear and pressing need for a project like the Valley Rainbow Interconnect” in the San Diego region. Recently, the ISO held a workshop to explore the potential of future energy flows to San Diego from Mexico, where several new power plants are being constructed. Mexican representatives were noncommittal on being able to serve San Diego’s future electricity needs.

Even if new power plants are built, however, new transmission lines will be needed to move electricity on the transmission grid that serves Southern California. Without a flexible transmission grid, unplanned power outages can jeopardize the reliability of the entire system.

An example is the power outage at San Onofre this past February. More than 200,000 energy consumers from Chula Vista to Carlsbad were left without power for more than 45 minutes. Had the Valley Rainbow Interconnect been in service, the outage would have been avoided.

A coalition of elected officials, chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, local companies and labor unions has formed to support the Valley Rainbow Interconnect. Recognizing the need for the project, the county Board of Supervisors approved a resolution in support of the Valley Rainbow Interconnect.

This does not mean we have given up on conservation. Conservation throughout California has helped address the energy crisis. Innovative county initiatives such as our Green Building Program are practical solutions. The county’s first green library in Cardiff will open soon.

But conservation efforts alone will not resolve San Diego County’s energy needs. We must plan for growth and expand our supply of electricity. The Valley Rainbow Interconnect is a top energy priority this decade and will help to meet San Diego County’s long-term energy requirements. It deserves our support.

Slater represents the county’s 3rd District.

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