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SDG&E Allegedly Made False Statements Regarding Powerlink Project

San Diego Gas and Electric could be fined and face other penalties for allegedly making false statements to the state Public Utilities Commission. The charges are related to the proposed Sunrise Power

San Diego Gas and Electric could be fined and face other penalties for allegedly making false statements to the state Public Utilities Commission. The charges are related to the proposed Sunrise Powerlink project.  KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

The utility is accused of saying a southern alternative route for the proposed project was not viable at a time when the utilities commission says SDG&E knew it was a suitable option.

SDG&E has two weeks to respond to the charges, which the commission says happened during meetings with commission staff last June.

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An SDG&E spokesman called the charges a misunderstanding.

Michael Shames with the Utility Consumers Action Network opposes the project.

He says the alleged charges could be a factor in the CPUC's future decision on Sunrise.

Shames: This whole application is going to be based largely on whether the commissioners believe SDG&E or believe the opponents. And so actually I think this is going to be more important than a teapot-sized tempest.

SDG&E wants to build a high voltage power line across San Diego County including part of the Anza-Borrego State Desert Park.

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The commission is expected to make a decision on the Powerlink application by the end of the year.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.