Triple C Ranch

Powerlink work takes toll on East County, residents say

Pretty much everyone knew — was warned, even — that the construction of SDG&E’s $1.9 billion Sunrise Powerlink across East County would strain the region.

Now that the transmission line is starting to take shape along a serpentine stretch of mountain, dale and country road, residents say the massive project is taking a toll all right.

“It’s asking a tremendous amount of the community,” said Greg Fox, chairman of the Alpine Planning Group.

Some merchants are doing a slow burn over the weekday traffic tie-ups on Alpine Boulevard, the town’s main drag, where crews are installing the San Diego Gas & Electric line underground.

“Sales have obviously dropped,” said Dan Leach, co-owner of Natural Instincts pet store. “People don’t want to drive down here if they see construction going on.”

The line will serve as a giant extension cord, importing wind and solar energy into San Diego from Imperial Valley and Mexico. SDG&E officials and government regulators say it will reduce the chance of blackouts and provide access to cheaper power.

In thinly-populated communities, where folks tend to be fiercely protective of their rural lifestyle, some complain about noise and vibration as helicopters survey the 117-mile route and hoist steel transmission towers onto backcountry perches.

Kathleen Waller, with Triple S Horse Ranch in El Monte Valley near Lakeside, said the chopper racket spooks her animals and shakes her windows. “It also rattles the china in my cabinet,” she said.

SDG&E says it’s going to great lengths to cushion the impact, employing a wealth of mitigation measures that grow out of the project’s more than 11,000-page environmental impact report.

The utility, for example, sprays water on construction sites to tamp down dust and limits work hours near some shops in response to merchant concerns.

Laura McDonald, the utility’s director of public affairs, also noted the company’s outreach efforts, including the establishment of a special hot line (877-775-6818) and a field office in Alpine.

“We have gone above and beyond to communicate on this project,” she said. “(Construction) is progressing as quickly as it can and we think it’s going in the right direction.”

Work began last fall and is only 15 percent complete. It is expected to be finished late next year.

The line will run from the El Centro area in Imperial County into north San Diego, passing through public and private lands on a route approved by federal and state regulators.

Mews from The Triple C Ranch - Bravenet Blog

This is as good a time as any to introduce our d*g, Chip.  Actually, he's our Paw's d*g ... but that's another story.   Yesterday, Paw took Chip to be bathed and groomed.  He also had a haircut and his claws were clipped.  Shortly after they got home, Chip destoyed the cute little bandana that the groomer tied around his neck.

This morning, Chip was outside and he began barking ferociously at a big tree in our yard.   Meowmie peered out a nearby window and said, "I think Chip has treed a little kitten."  But when she went to investigate, she discovered that  the "kitten" was a baby skunk !  Although her father once had a pet skunk, we do not intend to follow his example!

Although we've had an unusual amount of rain this year, it promises to be a furry hot summer.    We're all in good health and managing to maintain our cool during the d*g days!  We purr that  all our furriends are healthy and comfortable too!!!

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