TBD
Erica Martin, Director of Project Development
San Diego Gas & Electric
8330 Century Park Court
San Diego, CA 92123-1530
Re: SDG&E Golden Pacific Powerlink: Preliminary Route: Segment 4 Dear Ms. Martin:
On behalf of the City of Murrieta (City), I write to express the City’s opposition to the preliminary routing of Segment 4 of the Golden Pacific Powerlink project through the City of Temecula and the surrounding Southwest Riverside County region.
The City recognizes the need to strengthen California’s electrical transmission system and improve regional grid reliability. Our opposition is not directed at the underlying purpose of the project. Rather, the City is concerned that the preliminary Segment 4 alignment would place a major 500-kilovolt transmission corridor through a highly developed area, creating potentially significant and lasting impacts on established communities.
Southwest Riverside County has developed into an interconnected region of established neighborhoods, schools, businesses, tourism destinations, public facilities, and critical transportation corridors. Although the proposed alignment may not pass directly through Murrieta, impacts to Temecula would affect the broader region, including community character, viewsheds, economic activity, property owners, traffic circulation, emergency operations, and future land-use planning.
The City is also concerned about introducing major transmission infrastructure into a region that regularly experiences wildfire threats and emergency evacuations. Potential impacts to wildfire response, evacuation routes, public safety operations, sensitive resources, and nearby residential communities must be carefully evaluated and avoided wherever feasible. Given the scale and permanence of the proposed infrastructure, mitigation measures alone may not adequately address the impacts of routing Segment 4 through established communities.
We understand that the project remains in the early planning and preliminary design phase, and SDG&E has indicated that the route is still being refined before an application is submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission. This is therefore the appropriate time to reconsider Segment 4 and identify alternatives that avoid developed portions of Southwest Riverside County.
The City respectfully requests that SDG&E redesign Segment 4 to prioritize less developed areas, where feasible, while minimizing impacts to residences, businesses, public facilities, environmentally sensitive areas, and taking into account the need for wildfire emergency-response operations. The environmental review should include a transparent and meaningful comparison of alternative alignments and demonstrate that avoidance of established communities was given substantial consideration.
Although the formal environmental review and public-comment process has not yet begun, we request that this letter be included in the project’s outreach record and considered as SDG&E develops its proposed alignment. We also request continued coordination with the cities of Murrieta and Temecula before any Segment 4 alignment is advanced for regulatory consideration.
For these reasons, the City of Murrieta opposes the current proposed routing of Segment 4 and urges SDG&E to develop an alternative that better protects the residents, businesses, and communities of Southwest Riverside County.
Sincerely,
Jon Levell,
Mayor
1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562 ● (951) 304-CITY (2489) ● www.MurrietaCA.gov1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562 ● (951) 304-CITY (2489) ● www.MurrietaCA.gov 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562 ● (951) 304-CITY (2489) ● www.MurrietaCA.gov 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562 ● (951) 304-CITY (2489) ● www.MurrietaCA.gov 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562 ● (951) 304-CITY (2489) ● www.MurrietaCA.gov1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562 ● (951) 304-CITY (2489) ● www.MurrietaCA.gov 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562 ● (951) 304-CITY (2489) ● www.MurrietaCA.gov 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562 ● (951) 304-CITY (2489) ● www.MurrietaCA.gov 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562 ● (951) 304-CITY (2489) ● www.MurrietaCA.gov1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562 ● (951) 304-CITY (2489) ● www.MurrietaCA.gov 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562 ● (951) 304-CITY (2489) ● www.MurrietaCA.gov 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562 ● (951) 304-CITY (2489) ● www.MurrietaCA.gov Letter of Support – SB 1005 (Caballero) Pennies Act
April 16, 2026
City of Murrieta Comment Letter – SDG&E Golden Powerlink Project TBD
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