In a David versus Goliath battle, residents of Palomar Mountain are rallying against a proposed massive power transmission project that threatens to alter their beloved landscape. The newly formed Save Palomar Task Force, chaired by Jim Hamerly, former chairman of the Palomar Mountain Planning Organization, is spearheading efforts to prevent the construction of a 500,000-volt transmission line across the mountain's pristine terrain.
The project, slated to be built by Horizon West Transmission, a subsidiary of Florida-based NextEra Energy Inc., has yet to reveal its exact route. This uncertainty has not deterred the Task Force, which opposes any transmission line crossing Palomar Mountain, regardless of its path. The group has branded Palomar as The Island in the Sky on their website, savepalomarmountain.org, highlighting its unique position often rising above the clouds.
Hamerly and his eight-member task force are working tirelessly to raise awareness about the potential environmental and safety impacts of the proposed transmission line. Their concerns extend beyond mere aesthetics. The group emphasizes the significant fire risk posed by 300-foot towers traversing hundreds of thousands of acres of flammable forest. This risk is not limited to Palomar Mountain but could potentially affect neighboring regions, as evidenced by historical wildfires that spread from the mountain to large parts of the county.
In an effort to build understanding and potentially sway opinion, the Task Force has invited representatives from Horizon West, including the project manager, to visit Palomar Mountain in August. Hamerly hopes that experiencing the mountain's natural beauty firsthand might influence the project's direction. The group is also reaching out to leadership in adjoining regions, framing the issue not as a Not In My Backyard concern, but as a matter of public benefit, emphasizing the ecological importance of Palomar Mountain.
The Task Force's strategy extends beyond local opposition. They are collaborating with residents of Anza Borrego State Park, another area potentially affected by the transmission line routes. This alliance broadens the base of opposition and highlights the widespread impact of the proposed project. Hamerly also raises concerns about what he perceives as collusion between the state and utilities, suggesting that the push for large-scale transmission projects is driven by utility companies' desire to maintain profits in the face of growing rooftop solar adoption.
The political landscape adds another layer of complexity to the issue. The recent passage of AB 3238 in the California Assembly, which would remove California Environmental Quality Act requirements for building transmission lines for six years, has alarmed environmental advocates. Hamerly expresses disbelief at this potential waiver of environmental rules in a state known for its strong environmental protections.
Despite the challenges, the Save Palomar Task Force is not adopting a purely obstructionist stance. Instead, they are seeking a win-win solution that would allow NextEra Energy to claim environmental stewardship while protecting Palomar Mountain. The group is preparing for NextEra's application to the California Public Utilities Commission next year, planning to mobilize a significant letter-writing campaign to voice their opposition to the 2.5 gigawatt facility. As the battle lines are drawn, the residents of Palomar Mountain stand united in their quest to preserve their Island in the Sky from the march of towering transmission lines.
