The California Public Utilities Commission will hold public scoping meetings on Southern California Edisonís plan to run a new high voltage transmission from Lemon Cove to Visalia, a move that is opposed by a large group of eastern Tulare County residents.

The PUC and the team writing the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the project are seeking the publicís comments on concerns to be studied and evaluated in the EIR for Edisonís San Joaquin Cross Valley Loop Project.

The hearings will be held

Wed. Sept. 17 ñ 6:30-8:30pm, Freedom Elementary School Cafeteria, 575 E. Citrus, Farmersville and

Thurs. Sept. 18 ñ 6:30-8:30, Woodlake Memorial Building, 365 N. Acacia St., Woodlake

ìWe have tremendous concerns about the many environmental, social and economic impacts Edisonís proposal will have in our area,î said George McEwen, of Exeter, president of PACE (Protect Agriculture, Communities, Environment). The ad hoc group has over 500 members.

SCEís preferred 19-mile route for a 220 Kv line from Lemon Cove to Visalia will cut a 100-foot wide swath through productive agricultural lands, cities and homes. It would also pass near several schools and a day care center and would bisect Farmersvilleís planned economic development area.

ìBut the most disconcerting element of this plan will be its installation of poles and towers up to 160-feet in height across and adjacent to many miles of our scenic Hwy 198 corridor,î said McEwen. ìThatís just crazy!î

According to state officials at previous workshops on the project, the final EIR may suggest other alternatives for the proposed utility line, even those not mentioned by the Edison company in its filing. The public may also suggest alternatives.

ìRoute 1 is by far the most invasive of the four possibilities described by Edison in its application document,î said McEwen. ìIt just does not make sense, considering their Alternative Route 3 crosses very few property owners in the north county foothills and would tie in to Edisonís existing right of way east of Orosi.î

In its Notice of Preparation for the project, the PUC said it will accept written comments through Sept. 22. Those letters may be mailed, e-mailed or faxed to: Mr. Jensen Uchida, San Joaquin Valley Loop Project, c/o Environmental Science Associates, 225 Bush Street, Ste 1700, San Francisco, CA 94104, ph: 415-962-8409, fax: 415-896-0332, e-mail: sjxvl@esassoc.com. For more information call www.pace-sos.com.

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