The group known as PACE (Protect Agriculture, Communities and the Environment) got some attention last week by floating two large orange weather balloons with 150 foot tethered line to represent the height of towers that may before long cross over Hwy 65 just shy of Hwy 198.

But with or without the limelight PACE is striving to make headway against Southern California Edisonís plan to place large steel transmission line towers along Highway 198 from Visalia to Lemon Cove. The proposed plan, known as the San Joaquin Valley Loop Project has been a source of controversy from the start. PACE held another meeting last Thursday to discuss the balloon event and introduce their newest addition to the PACE team, Energy and Water Consultant Dr. Lon W. House of Cameron Park, California.

ìWe will continue the momentum,î said George McEwen, President of the PACE steering committee. ìDonít let your guard down. We are going to continue until we get a response from the CPUC.î

With a full schedule of meetings and presentations to service groups along with events like the balloon rally, word is getting out about PACE.

ìWeíve had over 1000 letters sent in to the CPUC,î said McEwen. ìThey have never seen this apparently and had to add on more staff. And you can still send letters to them if you havenít already.î

McEwen then introduced Dr. House who guided attendees through a brochure of where to find necessary information including how to keep up on the California Public Utilities Commission Proceedings as well as Edisonís and the CPUCís proposed timeline.

House is no stranger to CPUC proceedings.

Dr. House has a Bachelors degree, two Masters, and a Ph.D. in Engineering and Economics from U.C.Davis. He is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and a Certified Sustainable Development Professional (CSDP) with the Association of Energy Engineers. ÝHe taught engineering in Graduate School at U.C. Davis for a number of years. ÝHe worked for the California Energy Commission for five years as a utility planner, and he was the chief utility planner for the California Public Utilities Commission for five years. Ý

In 1990 he went out into the consulting business, starting his own business (Water and Energy Consulting).

He has been the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) energy consultant since 1992, representing 500 water agencies which are responsible for over 90 percent of the water delivered in California; the Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) energy advisor, representing 30 rural California counties encompassing over one-half of the land area of California; and an energy consultant for the Attorney General of the State of California.

Dr. House has over 20 years experience before the California Public Utilities Commission, almost 30 years before the California Energy Commission, and has testified numerous times California Power Authority, California Independent System Operator, California State Legislature, State Water Resources Control Board, and the Federal Energy Regulatory

Commission, as well as in numerous court cases. ÝDr. House also works for the California Public Utilities Commission as an expert witness on transmission issues and is their water-energy expert.

ìThe great thing about PACE is that youíre not simply saying ëno,í youíre saying just not here,î said House. ìWe want the CPUC to look at the alternative routes.î

Edison said that 19-mile long Alternative Route 1 is their preferred route because it is the least expensive of the routes and has the least amount of foreseen environmental impacts, but PACE representatives disagree, saying the impact will devastate small citrus farmers.

Edison said that the San Joaquin Valley Loop Project would allow them to increase its capacity to deliver electricity during periods of high demand.

But Alternative Route 1 has seen a few changes since its last time in the spotlight. Southern California Edison Region Manager Bill DeLain said the changes were made with the help of public input via two public open houses for the project, held in 2006 and 2007 as well as comments made in letters and emails.

SCE submitted their application to the CPUC May 30.

The CPUC is a state regulatory agency that sets electricity rates and issues permits for the construction of new and rebuilt transmission lines and substations. The CPUC will review the project in compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act and will seek public comment on the project.

The review process will include public scoping meetings, issuing a draft Environmental Impact Report and public hearings. They will either approve the Project as filed, approve the project with modifications or deny the project. A decision from the CPUC is expected in mid to late 2009. If approved, construction of the project is estimated for completion in 2011.

The CPUC Pubic Advisorís Office provides procedural information and advice to groups and individuals who want to comment or advocate positions in the CPUCís formal proceedings. The Public Advisorís staff helps answer questions, locate information or refer callers to the appropriate staff person as well as attend community functions and assist the public in participating in town hall meetings, etc. The San Joaquin Valley Loop Project case number is A0805039. You may contact the Public Advisorís Office at: CPUC Public Advisor, 505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 2103, San Francisco, CA 94102 or email public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov. For more information call (866) 849-8390.

For more information about how to get involved with PACE visit www.pace-sos.com.

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