FULLERTON, CA - U.S. Representative Ed Royce has expressed his opposition to the construction and routing of Southern California Edison's Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project power lines and 200 foot tall towers through residential neighborhoods. He is calling for a Congressional hearing on the impact on neighborhood home values and the ability of homeowners and buyers to obtain loans.
"I disagree with the California Public Utilities Commission in allowing the construction of 200 ft high, 60 ft wide monster towers so close to homes. Because of the impact on home values, this is equivalent to a government taking of private property. It is just plain common sense that these power lines should have been routed through uninhabited Chino Hills State Park, or underground," said Royce. "The people of Chino Hills and their neighbors in surrounding communities need to be heard."
Last week, the California Public Utilities Commission ordered Southern California Edison to stop construction on the project and present a report on the feasibility, cost and timing for five alternative routes. The report is due January 10, 2012. The power line project had earlier been put on hold by order of the Federal Aviation Administration, due to concerns about installed towers interfering with instrument approaches to the Chino airport.
In addition, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) guidelines prohibit borrowers from qualifying for mortgages and refinancing their homes with FHA loans to residential properties that are located within the Fall Zone of high voltage transmission lines - further affecting the residents of Chino Hills.
"I have written to the Chairman of the Financial Services Committee to request a hearing on the impact of neighborhood property values given that power lines with half the voltage are not allowed within 900 feet of schools, and given the FHA's prohibition on borrowers from qualifying for mortgages and refinancing, when their homes are in what FHA calls the Fall Zone below high voltage transmission lines," said Royce.
"Given all of these concerns, SCE should adopt an alternative proposal rather than to attempt to string these power lines. SCE's current approach to the problem will invariably cause more delays than a sensible alternative which balances public safety concerns," said Royce.
Royce also urged citizens from Chino Hills and surrounding communities who are concerned about the project to continue to write letters to each of the members of the California Public Utilities Commission at 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102. Members' names and current titles can be found on the www.HopefortheHills.org website or at the CPUC website, www.CPUC.ca.gov. He also urged citizens to call or email Governor Jerry Brown at 916-445-2841 or www.gov.ca.gov. All five members of the PUC are appointed by the Governor.
