Powerlink Meeting Brings Full House

Julian speakers against the Powerlink project argued that the current Environmental Impact Report failed to consider how the construction of roads to install and maintain the proposed transmission lines would affect the Julian area, particularly the owners of large ranches in the Santa Ysabel Valley, where the current plan would have the 300-foot-tall towers stepping across grasslands alongside Highway 79. David Lewis (center) prepared a map illustrating the impact the 14- to 20-foot-wide roads would have on the 1200-acre Moretti Ranch. Holding map is Art Cole and looking on are Katy Moretti and Woody Barnes. Administrative law judge Steven Weissman and Public Utilities Commissioner Dian Grueneich heard comments on the Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Sempra Energy Powerlink project. The meeting was held at Julian Town Hall, where more than 150 people attended. Citizens addressed fire, private property, environmental, views and homeland security issues. Speakers stated that recent wildfires in the area had been caused by power transmission lines and urged that no more be erected.