Rep. Negrete McLeod Calls on State to Listen to Chino and Ontario Residents’ Concerns

MONTCLAIR, CA - Today, Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Montclair) sent a letter to California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) President, Michael R. Peevey, urging additional community input regarding the proposed installation of Southern California Edison’s 500 Kilovolt transmission wires as part of the project known as the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP).  The transmission wires are situated west of Haven Avenue, between Chino Avenue, Edison Avenue and Euclid Avenue in the cities of Chino and Ontario.  Concerns of many Chino and Ontario residents regarding the towers include the potential for adverse health effects and losses in property value.

“The concerns of Chino and Ontario residents must be adequately heard prior to any construction of this local project that has potential risks to the health of people and our economy,” said Rep. Negrete McLeod.  “I’m urging that CPUC heed the voices of members of our community and fully develop an alternative plan that takes into consideration their concerns. I am ready to assist in the effort to ensure that our community is heard by the state.”

As a California State Senator in 2011, Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod joined residents of the neighboring City of Chino Hills in requesting that the California Public Utilities Commission explore alternatives, resulting in Edison placing the transmission system through that city underground.

Below is the full text of the letter:

October 2, 2014                                                                                 

California Public Utilities Commission

Attention:  Mr. Michael R. Peevey, President

505 Van Ness Avenue

San Francisco, CA  94102

RE:  Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP) in Ontario, California

Dear Mr. Peevey:

In recent days a number of my constituents in the city of Ontario have contacted my office to express their concerns about a portion of the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP) that runs through their south Ontario neighborhood.  Among the concerns raised are the potential for adverse health effects and the prospect of declining property values due to the physical appearance of the project’s electricity transmission towers. 

As a California State Senator in 2011, I joined with the residents of the City of Chino Hills in requesting that the California Public Utilities Commission explore alternative solutions to allow the TRTP to continue while addressing the community’s concerns about transmission towers in their city.  In the interests of consistency and fairness, I request that my constituents in Ontario be afforded the same opportunity to provide input on the TRTP as it applies to the situation in their community.  Your consideration of this matter is appreciated.

Respectfully,

Gloria Negrete McLeod
Member of Congress

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