Forest Service Approval Sets Stage for Green Economy

Sunrise Powerlink to Tap into Imperial Valley's Vast Renewable Resources

SAN DIEGO (07/12/2010) - Supporters of the Sunrise Powerlink today applauded a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) decision allowing the 120-mile electric transmission line to cross the Cleveland National Forest. This approval brings the project one step closer to delivering 1,000 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable energy from the Imperial Valley to San Diego and providing a significant economic boost to the region.

"The USFS decision represents yet another stamp of approval for the Sunrise Powerlink, which will help promote economic development during the worst recession in decades." said Ruben Barrales, a Co-Chair of the Community Alliance for the Sunrise Powerlink (CASP) and President & CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. "This critical infrastructure project is needed to create green collar jobs and stimulate the development of wind, solar and geothermal energy in our region."

Sunrise Powerlink construction will create hundreds of direct jobs. Moreover, renewable energy development jump-started by the project is expected to create thousands of additional jobs.

The USFS Record of Decision is the third major regulatory approval needed to construct the Sunrise Powerlink. The project was previously approved by the California Public Utilities Commission and U.S. Bureau of Land Management. With an 11,000-page Environmental Impact Report, the Sunrise Powerlink is one of the most extensively studied electric infrastructure projects in the state's history.

"The Sunrise Powerlink has been thoroughly scrutinized for more than six years by numerous regulatory agencies," said Julie Meier Wright, who serves as President & CEO of the San Diego Regional EDC and as a CASP Co-Chair. "Every agency has agreed that the transmission line should be built. It's time for opponents to set aside their differences and let Sunrise move forward as swiftly as possible."

In addition to boosting the regional economy, the Sunrise Powerlink project will benefit San Diego and Imperial County residents by transporting clean, renewable energy to population centers. Several wind, geothermal and solar projects proposed for the Imperial Valley will eventually connect to the transmission line. Tessera Solar, for example, plans to build a 750 MW solar farm in the Imperial Valley that will use Sunrise to bring the power it produces to San Diego.

"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," said Sean Gallagher, Vice President of Market Strategy & Regulatory Affairs for Tessera Solar.

Supporters say Sunrise is especially important given the vast renewable resources available in the region. Studies have identified thousands of megawatts of wind, solar and geothermal potential in San Diego and Imperial counties, and northern Baja California.

"The San Diego-Imperial Valley region is uniquely positioned to emerge as a national leader in green energy development," said Tim Kelley, President & CEO of the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation. "Taking advantage of these natural resources will help create jobs, meet the state's renewable energy mandates and achieve national energy policies."

Formed in 2006, CASP represents tens of thousands of businesses, labor leaders, elected officials, organizations and individuals who support the Sunrise Powerlink and a clean energy future for the region. For more information or to join CASP, visit www.supportsunrise.com.