Huff Lauds CPUC Ruling on Proposed Chino Hills Towers

State Sen. Bob Huff issued the following statement Thursday related to a ruling in the city of Chino Hills' fight against the construction of overhead towers and power lines.

Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) is grateful for today’s decision by the California Public Utility Commission’s (CPUC) vote to grant an undergrounding proposal from the City of Chino Hills in a fight against the construction of overhead towers and power lines in Chino Hills. The 3-2 vote by CPUC Commissioners confirms that the burden placed upon Chino Hills by the overhead 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines is unfair and contrary to community values.

Senator Huff, who has fought against the placement of the towers since he served in the State Assembly, says the CPUC “finally got it right.”

“I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I am for the community of Chino Hills,” said Senator Huff. “Those 200 foot high and 60 feet wide towers were an abomination and an eyesore. They were a danger to the community, located within yards of residential backyards and communities where children and families live. I’m very grateful that CPUC Commissioners took a second look at this issue and granted the city’s request.”

Today’s decision from the CPUC means removal of the towers already built or partially constructed in the 3.5 mile section of the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP) right of way in Chino Hills and orders Southern California Edison (SCE) to move ahead with plans to construct a single circuit, two cable per phase underground XLPE cable in place of the overhead lines.

Over 1,000 homes in Chino Hills had been within 500 feet of the proposed overhead line. Daycare facilities, churches and numerous parks were also located close by. Residents had staged numerous protests against the Southern California Edison (SCE) construction project, and Senator Huff had stated his objections in front of the CPUC and on the Senate Floor.

“Although this is good news, this fight is far from finished,” cautioned Senator Huff. “The CPUC decision orders SCE to take the extraordinary step of removing the towers, and replace them with underground cable by late 2015 or early 2016. A lot of planning and logistical work still needs to take place.”

The TRTP is a project to build approximately 173 miles of new and upgraded high-voltage transmission lines for transmission of electricity from wind farms and other generating units in southern Kern County to Los Angeles County and the existing Mira Loma Substation in San Bernardino County. State laws requiring SCE to provide at least 33% of its power service from renewable sources by 2020 is driving the project.