I do not support the Golden Pacific Powerlink

Supervisor Jim Desmond Opposes Proposed Transmission Route Through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond is opposing the current alignment of the proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink, a 500-kilovolt transmission line that would cross parts of North and East County, including Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Desmond says the proposal raises concerns about wildfire risk, environmental impacts, private property and the lack of local control over the project. He is encouraging residents to submit comments during SDG&E’s stakeholder feedback period and participate in upcoming public meetings.

Supervisor Jim Desmond’s email regarding the proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink:

8/19/2026

This year, the state announced the Golden Pacific Powerlink, a 500 kilovolt transmission line planned to run from the Imperial Valley across our region and north toward Orange County. To get there, the current alignment cuts through much of North County and runs straight through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, our state's largest state park, on towers as tall as 200 feet.

I want to be clear with you. I do not approve of the current alignment, and I am going to do everything I can to stop it.

Since the announcement, I have heard from constituents across District 5 with serious concerns about wildfire risk, environmental damage and private property. The Anza-Borrego Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the park, reached out to Supervisor Anderson and me directly. They asked for a chance to bring their concerns to the Board of Supervisors, and we organized a board letter to make that happen.

This week, that coalition presented to the Board. The Anza-Borrego Foundation, the Protect Our Communities Foundation, the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce and the Chaparral Lands Conservancy all made the drive down from North and East County to tell us what this project would do to the communities and landscapes they represent. I am grateful they came, and I want to thank Supervisor Anderson for partnering with me on this.

Their concerns are legitimate and the state needs to address them.

Here is what troubles me most. This line runs through our backyard, but the electricity is headed north to serve other counties. San Diego County ratepayers would be on the hook for roughly 9 percent of a project that costs more than $1.6 billion, and we would live with every impact while receiving no direct benefit. The Sunrise Powerlink at least served San Diego County, and it did not cut through the state park.

And even though this alignment crosses unincorporated County land, the County has no say. Not a vote, not a permit, nothing. I have spent my time in office fighting for local control, and here we have none. That is exactly why our voices have to be loud somewhere else.

Here is how you can help.

SDG&E's stakeholder feedback period is open through early November, before the company files its formal application with the California Public Utilities Commission. Public comment now, before that filing, carries real weight.



• Submit your comments through goldenpacificpowerlink.com
• Attend an in-person open house on August 25 and 26, or October 13 and 14
• Follow the coalition's work and sign up for updates at theabf.org

I will keep pushing. I hope the CPUC listens to the people who actually live here and moves this line off of our premier state park and away from our existing communities.

San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond
https://www.supervisorjimdesmond.com/

San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond · 1600 Pacific Highway, #335, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

This email was sent to andrea@gotoborregosprings.com. To stop receiving emails, click here.

You can also keep up with San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond on Twitter or Facebook.

Learn More About Borrego Springs