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Proposed SDG&E Transmission Line Project Debated at Hearing

The California Public Utilities Commission held a hearing on the proposed Sunrise Powerlink project in San Diego Monday afternoon. San Diego Gas and Electric wants to build a new 150-mile electric tra

Proposed SDG&E Transmission Line Project Debated at Hearing

(Opponents of the Sunrise Powerlink gather before a state public utility commission hearing on the project. Ed Joyce/KPBS .)

The California Public Utilities Commission held a hearing on the proposed Sunrise Powerlink project in San Diego Monday afternoon. San Diego Gas and Electric wants to build a new 150-mile electric transmission line from the Imperial Valley to San Diego. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

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More than 100 San Diego County residents took turns telling the state's Public Utilities Commission what they think about SDGE’s proposed Sunrise Powerlink.

County Supervisor Dianne Jacob told the commission that opponents don't have the millions of dollars the utility is using to promote the project.

Jacob : But we do have an environmental impact report. A document that clearly shows there are cleaner and cheaper ways to keep the lights on in our county.

But Lani Lutar with the San Diego County Taxpayers Association says the Powerlink is the solution to meet future energy needs.

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Lutar : And we urge you to take the politically brave decision it may not be an easy decision but to support what we need for the infrastructure of this region. 

The PUC is expected to decide later this year whether to approve the $1.3 billion transmission line project.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.