Power Line to Be Topic

By Lauren McSherry

There have been months of speculation over a proposed power line in San Bernardino County.

On Saturday, officials from Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will answer questions about Green Path North, which, if approved, would stretch from Desert Hot Springs in Riverside County to Hesperia.

Joe Ramallo, LADWP spokesman, said the meeting is being held to collect comments and criticism from the public. The meeting is also intended to “dispel myths and rumors,” he said. A question-and- answer session will be held.

The LADWP maintains the corridor is “green” because it will tap into renewable energy sources.

But community groups – namely the California Desert Coalition and the Alliance for Responsible Energy Policy – say the project would cross desert preserves and land designated as critical environmental habitat.

April Sall, chairwoman of the California Desert Coalition, said the meeting is a chance to get questions answered, such as whether using the existing corridor along the 10 Freeway is feasible.

“This is the first opportunity for that interaction,” she said. “Historically, that’s not been the experience we’ve had with this project or other projects in California.”

The power agency’s leader, David Nahai, and the partners in the project, a collection of municipalities and water districts, will be on hand, Ramallo said.

The LADWP is considering other routes, including a power line along the southern foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains.

On Tuesday, Riverside County joined a number of governments, including San Bernardino County, opposing the project.

lauren.mcsherry@inlandnewspapers.com

(909) 386-3875

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