Press
Reporters: email info@savepaumavalley.org with “Press” in the subject, and we will connect you with a spokesperson.
About Save Pauma Valley
Save Pauma Valley is a group of Pauma Valley residents, growers and landowners opposing SDG&E’s Golden Pacific Powerlink, including the South Mountain Alternative through Pauma Valley. We are a member of We Save California, a Southern California coalition of community groups and fire safe councils opposing the project. We oppose building a new overhead 500 kV corridor through high fire-threat country on any route, and support upgrading existing lines first.
Key facts
- The project. A new 500 kV transmission line of about 145 miles, from SDG&E’s Imperial Valley Substation to a new substation north of the former San Onofre nuclear plant. The state grid operator (CAISO) approved it in May 2023. Source: CAISO 2022–2023 Transmission Plan
- The cost. CAISO estimated the line at $2.288 billion in 2023. SDG&E now cites about $1.6 billion. Source: KPBS, Sept. 17, 2026
- The South Mountain Alternative. Made public in August 2026, it would carry the line along the base of Palomar Mountain through Pauma Valley, in high fire-threat country. Source: SDG&E project site
- Where it stands. SDG&E has not yet filed its application with the CPUC. If approved, construction could begin in 2029, with service in 2032. Source: KPBS, Aug. 26, 2026
- Fire history. Cal Fire found that SDG&E power lines started the 2007 Witch, Guejito and Rice fires in North County. Source: KPBS, July 10, 2008
- Alternatives not tested. CAISO’s analysis compared only packages of new 500 kV lines. It tested storage only by relocating batteries already planned, and did not test upgrades to the existing lines that overload. Source: CAISO Transmission Plan, Appendix F, Section F.15
- Precedent. In 2002 the CPUC denied SDG&E’s Valley–Rainbow 500 kV line as not needed for reliability and not cost-effective. A local group, Save Southwest Riverside County, took part as a formal party and was later awarded $629,119 for its costs. Source: CPUC D.03-10-056
- Landowner rights. Landowners who receive SDG&E survey letters can decline access; the utility would then need a court order to enter. Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1245.010
Images
Select an image to open the full file. For other images or higher resolution, email us.
More
- Interactive route map: look up any parcel near the traced line
- 500 kV facts: fire, health and noise, with sources
- Our video
- We Save California coalition