Press Release

Department of Energy Announces Persistent Electric Transmission Problems in Southern California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today designated certain areas in California as "critical congestion areas" – all or portions of San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

After studying areas throughout the country experiencing electric transmission congestion and consulting with energy experts, DOE concluded that state and local government agencies within "national interest" corridors in the Southwest and the Mid-Atlantic areas need to identify solutions and take prompt action to address growing electricity congestion problems in these areas. During a 60-day public comment period, DOE held more than 60 hours of public meetings across the country and received more than 2,000 public comments. DOE's report addresses these comments and findings of its own analysis.

"Today's announcement by the DOE sends yet another signal to the California Public Utilities Commission that time is of the essence in approving new transmission lines, particularly the Sunrise Powerlink in San Diego County," said Bill Keese, co-chair of Californians for Clean and Reliable Energy (Cal-CARE), and former chair of the California Energy Commission.

Sunrise Powerlink is a proposed 150-mile transmission line that would import 1,000 megawatts of solar, wind and geothermal energy from the Imperial Valley – enough to power more than 650,000 homes and businesses in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to make a decision on this transmission line next year.

Although the designations mark regions as the most severely congested areas in the country, DOE cannot decide whether or where any new electric transmission facilities should be built and cannot approve or disapprove the construction of any particular proposed new facilities.

"The California Energy Commission and the California Independent System Operator have both stressed the need for the Sunrise Powerlink to strengthen California's energy grid and ensure reliable energy supplies." Keese said. "By approving the Sunrise Powerlink, the California Public Utilities Commission can help our state make significant strides toward a safe, reliable and clean energy future."

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