SCE has ignored and rebuffed Chino Hills citizens and representatives for three years. They insist on ramming high voltage power lines through our neighborhoods, hovering over our backyards (or our neighbor's) and hovering over our children as they play and swim nearby.
They have shown no regard for the safety of our children and have ignored our local representative's efforts for alternative routes. These routes have been shown to be better for all involved. Rather, SCE prefers to run unprecedented amounts of high voltage through rights of way that were granted to them by the citizens of this state through our government powers.
Now, the major electric companies have the nerve to ask us to dis-empower our government's ability to regulate them?
They have the nerve to disguise Prop 16 as a way to empower voters? As John Stossel would say, "Give Me a Break!"
Proposition 16 is a huge fabrication designed to make it more difficult for governments to regulate power-hungry, dispassionate monopolies. Don't believe it; and especially don't believe it if you live in Chino Hills.
I challenge any citizen in the state of California to look closely at what SCE wants to do in our community and ask themselves if these monopoly electric companies deserve more power.
I've often thought of what residents in Chino Hills could do to show SCE how strongly we stand against them. There aren't many options. They have the money. They have the lobbyists. And they have long standing rights of way that they are willing to use in spite of our concerns for the safety of our children and for our hard won properties.
Now they are asking us to vote for a law requiring 2/3rds voter approval before local governments can get involved in the power business?
They know that 2/3rds vote is almost an impossibility to achieve and that a win on Prop 16 will guarantee them their monopolies in California forever.
They have the nerve to call this the "Taxpayer$ Right to Vote"?
I call it "The Electric Companies Making Sure They Keep Their Monopolies".
I call it "The Electric Companies Charging Me More And Using The Money To Twist the Truth On Television".
I call it "The Electric Companies Exploiting The Emotions Of A Disillusioned Citizenry."
I am conservative and pro-business in my politics but any company that is granted a monopoly and that uses public rights of way should be held to a higher standard of accountability and safety to the public.
And in fact, local government is one of the few things that actually works well in California. My water, trash, and sewer bill (run by our local government) is one of the least of my worries today. My electric bill is out of control!
Chino Hills, as a city and as a group of citizens is being bulldozed by SCE and now they, along with other power companies, want us to help them retain their monopoly? I say N.O. to their request. I'm voting NO on Proposition 16 and I pray that every citizen of California will vote no on Proposition 16 as well.
Besides all of our ignored and failed efforts, this is one way Chino Hills residents can stand against SCE and these electrical power monopolies.
We must all oppose Proposition 16.
Let's not do the power companies any favors. They sure aren't doing any for us.
P.S. What is going on with C.A.R.E.? I haven't been able to see their site any more and I think that we still should be active. If anyone still wants to organize to protest SCE's actions please write to me. I'd like to know.
BTW, I don't live anywhere near where the towers are proposed, but this is a time where our neighbors need the help of everyone in this city. There may be no other way to stop SCE from ramming these towers through our town. Think of these families, their investments in their homes, and the safety of their children. We need to stand together as a community on this to have any chance. Most of our options have been exhausted.
BACKGROUND:
Although SCE is not listed as a major contributor to Yes on 16, you can bet they will benefit by the outcome if it passes. SCE's CEO, Alan J. Foher, is listed as an At Large Member of the California Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (AKA CA Business PAC) which is the second largest donor besides Pacific Gas and Electric which has spent at least $49,500,000.00+ ($49.5 Million dollars) since last November to get this bill passed.
Cal Chamber Board of Directors...
Election Track Shows Who / How Much Funding is going to Prop 16...
Turn.org says vote no on Prop 16...
Opinion from Laura Klure, who wrote a book about power companies in CA...
There is technology that lays 500Kv power under the ground...
Another community fighting overhead towers...
Another underground project...
CPUC Simulation / Fact Sheet of Section 8A through Chino Hills...
Chino Hills' Position / Alternatives...
CPUC's Web Page on the project...
Note: Apparently they are planning to use the double-circuit 500-kV Tubular Steel Poles (TSP) structure shown on this page in Chino Hills.
