Energy experts, elected officials, regulators and business leaders agree that the Sunrise Powerlink is crucial to San Diego's clean energy future because it will enhance energy reliability and expand access to renewable resources.
“California has two dozen renewable energy projects looking to break ground this year alone that will create thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of investment in our state. But, many of these projects will be built in remote locations in the desert, and we need more transmission lines, like the Sunrise Powerlink, to transport this renewable energy to population centers. I applaud the U.S. Forest Service for approving this important project that will play a critical role in bringing clean, renewable electricity to the cities where people live and work and improving our power grid’s reliability. These are exactly the types of projects California needs to transition to a brighter clean-energy future.”
– Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (2010)
“This is a great day for clean air and clean power in California. As the CPUC’s original decision outlined, the Sunrise Powerlink is vital to making California’s electric grid renewable-energy ready. We are pleased that the Forest Service concurred with our decision and has given this project a green light.”
– Michael R. Peevey, CPUC president (2010)
“The Sunrise Powerlink will help shape California’s clean energy future. It will bolster renewable energy development in the Imperial Valley, bringing clean energy jobs to that region, and help us to reach our state’s clean energy goals.”
– Dian M. Grueneich, CPUC commissioner (2010)
“Throughout the deliberative process, the Forest Service sought to balance California’s renewable energy needs with minimizing impacts to the environment to the greatest extent possible. The Forest Service's decision to authorize the project provides future access to renewable energy, improves energy system reliability, and will reduce transmission congestion in the greater San Diego area. The citizens of Southern California will benefit from implementation of Sunrise Powerlink and it is in the national interest to allow Forest lands to be utilized for this project.”
– Will Metz, forest supervisor of the Cleveland National Forest (2010)
“The Sunrise Powerlink is a vital connection to sustainable economic development in Imperial County. This project will tap into the vast sources of locally-generated renewable energy and facilitate the creation of green jobs. These advances will make a tangible difference for residents and help benefit our region for generations to come.”
– Gary Wyatt, Imperial County Board of Supervisors (2010)
“The Forest Service approval of the Sunrise Powerlink is great news for Tessera Solar and our clean energy future, as adequate transmission facilities are critical to providing green power to where it is needed.”
– Sean Gallagher, vice president of market strategy and regulatory affairs for Tessera Solar (2010)
“Renewable energy has the potential to become one of the pillars of the local economy, as long as we have the Sunrise Powerlink to bring it to market. This vital infrastructure project is a win-win for the Imperial Valley and San Diego and will help our region become a national leader in renewable energy development.”
– Tim Kelley, CEO Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation (2010)
“Without a modernized transmission grid, California’s dependence upon aging, less efficient gas-fired plants to support local reliability and contribute to reserve margins will continue indefinitely.”
– California Energy Commission 2005 Integrated Energy Policy Report
“Southern California needs new transmission capacity…for reliability, economics and compliance with the state’s [renewable energy] standard.”
– U.S. Department of Energy, National Electric Transmission Congestion Study, 2006
“Without this project (Sunrise Powerlink), it is unlikely that SDG&E will be able to meet the state’s [renewable energy] goals.”
– California Energy Commission 2006 Integrated Energy Policy Report Update
“One of the primary difficulties with the Renewable Portfolio Standard program is the lack of adequate transmission to access important renewable resources in Tehachapi and the Imperial Valley that could help meet Renewable Portfolio Standard goals.”
– California Energy Commission 2006 Integrated Energy Policy Report Update
California Independent System Operator CSRTP-2006 study »
California Energy Commission Integrated Energy Policy Report Update 2006 »
California Energy Commission Integrated Energy Policy Report 2007 »
U.S. Department of Energy Transmission Congestion Study 2006 »
North American Electric Reliability Corporation Long-Term Reliability Assessment 2007 »