POWERLINK TRIAL STARTS IN SAN DIEGO: OPPONENTS PLAN MARCH FROM SDG&E HEADQUARTERS TO COURTHOUSE MARCH 7

March 3, 2011 (San Diego) – “Not a done deal. We are in court,” reads a flyer published by opponents of the Sunrise Powerlink project urging the public to join a march to the federal courthouse downtown, where the first federal lawsuit against the high-voltage line will be heard on March 7th.

The "Stop Powerlink" march will begin at 12:30 p.m. outside Sempra/SDG&E headquarters at 101 Ash Street, where Supervisor Dianne Jacob will speak. Marchers will walk together to the federal courthouse, where Michael Shamas, executive director of the Utility Consumers Action Network (UCAN) will address the crowd. Dave Elliot, tribal member of the Manzanita Band of Kumeyaay, will also speak.

SDG&E/Sempra has pushed forward with construction, disrupting traffic and businesses in areas such as Alpine despite numerous legal challenges that have not even been heard yet in court--and could potentially stop the project.

The state’s environmental impact report found that Powerlink will pose a “severe and unmitigatible fire hazard” for fire-prone areas in East County already devastated by firestorms. Towers hundreds of feet high will also mar views in designated scenic view corridors and federal forest lands in East County.
 

SDG&E says the 1,000 MW, $1.8 billion project is necessary to meet our region’s future energy needs. Opponents counter that demand for energy can be met through rooftop solar and other alternatives without the need for Powerlink.
 

Now opponents hope to generate a massive community turn-out on March 7 to demonstrate widespread community opposition to the Powerlink project on the steps of the courthouse , as well as outside the headquarters of SDG&E.

For a copy of the “Stop the Sunrise Powerlink!” flyer, click here.
 

For more details, email christyyoder-SunrisePL@yahoo.com or call 9858)876-5772.
 

For additional information on status of multiple lawsuits and arguments against Powerlink, visit http://protectourcommunities.org/.
 

For information from SDG&E in favor of Powerlink, see www.sunrisepowerlink.com.