By Valerie Gutierrez

EASTVALE– Many Eastvale residents gathered at Rosa Parks Elementary School on February 24 to voice their concerns about Southern California Edison’s electrical transmission line project. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is currently processing an application by SCE to construct a new electrical transmission corridor through and adjacent to residential neighborhoods in the city.

Considering that CPUC did not want to hold a public meeting to solicit comments, the City of Eastvale conducted their own meeting to inform residents. The meeting included a presentation on the project that explained SCE’s proposal to install 66K overhead lines through Eastvale as part of a project to improve service locally.

The plan is to run the lines from the Corona substation through Eastvale to Ontario, where the lines will come to an end. Fourteen to fifteen new poles for the 66vK lines will be installed along Hellman Avenue. SCE proposed undergrounding the lines in the City of Corona, but did not offer undergrounding in the City of Eastvale.

Several environmental topics were discussed during the meeting.  These included: agricultural and forestry resources, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, hazardous materials, noise, population and housing, recreation, transportation and traffic, utilities and service systems. The impacts that the “Circle City” project will have on Eastvale residents include health conditions, safety concerns and the lowering of property values.

Supporters of Chino Hills’ Hope for the Hills came out to encourage residents to get involved. Chino Hills resident Bob Goodwin explained that what really worked for Chino Hills was to analyze the impact on health, safety and property value that the lines would cause.

Eastvale is home to thousands of people.  If they do not want to see these 66vK poles go up, the community needs to take action. “Don’t wait and get involved,” said Chrisanne Goodwin, Chino Hills’ resident.

Many Eastvale residents are not happy about the power line plan, and they want the word to get out about how bad these lines are for the community.  “We need to get the word out there, that our community doesn’t want this,” said Shannon Juniper an Eastvale resident.

“Residents need to support the efforts of getting the lines underground. If residents want the lines underground they need to write these letters and get them to CPUC,” said Mayor Ike Bootsma. Public comments to be considered for the CPUC had to be sent via email by Feb. 29.