PRESS RELEASE
January 27, 2009

CVAG votes for resolution opposing LADWP Green Path North power lines
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Palm Desert California , CA – An association of governments representing the Coachella Valley unanimously passed a resolution Monday opposing Green Path North high voltage transmission power lines proposed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) now joins a growing list of cities and counties opposed to the power lines planned by LADWP to run through Desert Hot Springs, a Coachella Valley conservation area and communities in the High Desert .

.PRESS RELEASE
Community Forum on Power Line Impact
Impact of ‘Green Path North’
Thursday, January 22, 2009  6:00 p.m.  
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Media Contact: 760 288-1613

In an ongoing fight to stop power lines through the Coachella Valley and High Desert communities, a public forum is being held Thursday, January 22 in Desert Hot Springs.

The event will feature expert panelists speaking on economic, environmental and civic impacts of power lines proposed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). Joined on the panel will be a representative of LADWP.

Key topics will be impacts of power lines to real estate values, impacts to the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Area, other environmental preserves and impacts to communities.

The Coachella Valley Coalition (CVC) is sponsoring the event with participation by California Desert Coalition (CDC). Both groups support green energy but say environmentally sensitive lands can not be sacrificed in the delivery of power to Los Angeles .

“We can not sacrifice the environment in the name of saving it,” said CDC representative Russell Betts. “To devastate communities simply for the profits of a single power company attempting to expand their transmission business is not acceptable.”

Both the CVC and CDC say Green Path North is not necessary, sighting instead the Smart Path pointing to an existing utility corridor along the I-10 freeway as a viable alternative. Southern California Edison controls that corridor but recently announced it was willing to share it with LADWP.

LADWP rejected that offer. That has added to the conflict leading up to LADWP’s formal NOI (Notice of Intent) filing with the BLM (The Bureau of Land Management) expected sometime in February 2009.

Following the panel discussion, the public will have ample opportunity to ask questions.

WHAT:           Community Meeting: Green Path North Power Line Impact.
WHERE:         Carl May Community Center , 11711 West Drive ,
                        Desert Hot Springs , CA 92240
WHEN:           Thursday, January 22, 2009   6:00 p.m.