SAN DIEGO, Dec. 15, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has submitted its initial filing with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), explaining in detail the need for the Sunrise Powerlink -- a major new transmission line between the San Diego region and the Imperial Valley -- by 2010.
In the CPUC filing, SDG&E outlined three reasons the Sunrise Powerlink, capable of supplying enough electricity for 650,000 homes, is needed:
Maintaining reliability: By 2010, the existing transmission system in San Diego will no longer be able to serve the needs of this growing region. The Sunrise Powerlink will enable SDG&E to meet its growing needs and to supply safe, reliable power during periods of peak demand. Studies show the San Diego region will require more energy than it can either generate locally or import by 2010.
Promoting renewable energy: Access to environmentally friendly sources of energy, such as solar, wind and geothermal, would be significantly expanded to harness renewable resources generated in Imperial County and elsewhere.
Reducing energy costs: Ratepayers are expected to save by accessing lower-cost sources of power while reducing San Diego's reliance on older, less-efficient natural gas-fired electric generation.
"The Sunrise Powerlink is a key component in SDG&E's plan to ensure that our customers have the energy they need to maintain their quality of life and sustain the economic growth of the region," said James P. Avery, senior vice president, electric, of SDG&E. "The San Diego region is growing rapidly, and our energy needs are growing with it."
The line is estimated to cost $1 billion to $1.4 billion, and would stretch over 100 miles from the Imperial Valley to San Diego. The exact costs will be determined once a final proposed route and an alternate route are submitted to the CPUC in mid-2006.
SDG&E has initiated an extensive outreach effort to gather information and feedback from customers on the project. The utility has held a series of nine open houses throughout the region, and gathered feedback from key stakeholders in four community working groups. SDG&E will incorporate comments gleaned from those meetings, as well as input from e-mails and meetings with public officials in the route-selection process, which is scheduled to conclude in early 2006. SDG&E then will conduct another round of community meetings.
SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.3 million consumers through 1.3 million electric meters and more than 800,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility's area spans 4,100 square miles. Exceptional customer service is a priority of SDG&E as it seeks to enhance the region's quality of life. SDG&E is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE). Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company. To learn more, go to www.sdge.com.
SDG&E Senior Vice President, electric, James P. Avery will be available for media interviews from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.