I Do Not Support the Golden Pacific Powerlink

Media
1 day ago
3 min read

This year, the state announced the Golden Pacific Powerlink, a 500 kilovolt transmission line planned to run from the Imperial Valley across our region and north toward Orange County. To get there, the current alignment cuts through much of North County and runs straight through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, our state's largest state park, on towers as tall as 200 feet.

I want to be clear with you. I do not approve of the current alignment, and I am going to do everything I can to stop it.

Applicant Proposed Alternatives | Click on image to enlarge

Since the announcement, I have heard from constituents across District 5 with serious concerns about wildfire risk, environmental damage and private property. The Anza-Borrego Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the park, reached out to Supervisor Anderson and me directly. They asked for a chance to bring their concerns to the Board of Supervisors, and we organized a board letter to make that happen.

This week, that coalition presented to the Board. The Anza-Borrego Foundation, the Protect Our Communities Foundation, the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce and the Chaparral Lands Conservancy all made the drive down from North and East County to tell us what this project would do to the communities and landscapes they represent. I am grateful they came, and I want to thank Supervisor Anderson for partnering with me on this.

Their concerns are legitimate and the state needs to address them.

Here is what troubles me most. This line runs through our backyard, but the electricity is headed north to serve other counties. San Diego County ratepayers would be on the hook for roughly 9 percent of a project that costs more than $1.6 billion, and we would live with every impact while receiving no direct benefit. The Sunrise Powerlink at least served San Diego County, and it did not cut through the state park.

And even though this alignment crosses unincorporated County land, the County has no say. Not a vote, not a permit, nothing. I have spent my time in office fighting for local control, and here we have none. That is exactly why our voices have to be loud somewhere else.

Here is How You Can Help

SDG&E's stakeholder feedback period is open through early November, before the company files its formal application with the California Public Utilities Commission. Public comment now, before that filing, carries real weight.

Submit your comments through goldenpacificpowerlink.com
Attend an in-person open house on August 25 and 26, or October 13 and 14
Follow the coalition's work and sign up for updates at theabf.org

I will keep pushing. I hope the CPUC listens to the people who actually live here and moves this line off of our premier state park and away from our existing communities.

San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond | August 19, 2026 | San Diego County Board of Supervisors

EDITOR'S NOTE: This does not travel through our open space but the lands north of us. The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, our state's largest state park, would be lined with 200' towers and electricity lines along with BIA land. It runs through unincorporated County land, just not right here. The electricity would be use by other counties, but none will stay in San Diego County.

What effects one of us affects all of us. Let's lend our support and speak out against this pathway. Maybe one day District 5 will come to our aid.

Return to Main Page