500,000 Volt Transmission line updates and resources
SDGE updates on "Golden Pacific Powerlink" - April 2026
While SDG&E’s recently released draft path, shown below, excludes Palomar Mountain - a significant victory - the final route has not yet been solidified. Because the risk of impact remains, the Task Force will stay fully engaged. We will continue to monitor SDG&E’s progress, participate in public forums, and collaborate with other affected stakeholders to ensure Palomar remains protected.
SDGE updates on "Golden Pacific Powerlink" - November 2025
" SDG&E understands the route of any new transmission line is one of the most important aspects of a project. While the route for the Golden Pacific Powerlink has not yet been determined, SDG&E is committed to a transparent, two-way public process to help shape it.
In the coming months, SDG&E will begin an extensive community engagement process where the public will have multiple opportunities to submit feedback on ways to ensure the project is built responsibly as part of the state and federal permitting process."
HORIZON WEST transfers project to SDGE - September 2025
"HWT has exercised its right to assign responsibility to construct, finance, and own the IVNoS 500 kV Transmission Line portion of the IV-NoS Project to San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E), an existing Participating Transmission Owner within the CAISO Controlled Grid... HWT has retained the responsibility to construct, finance, and own NoS Substation. "
Per a Union Tribune article on 9/2/2025 by journalist Rob Nikolewski, the route that was in the work by Horizon West (going through Anza Borrego, not Palomar Mountain) seems to be the one still under consideration.
Sad reminder of transmission line fire danger - January 2025
2025 started with a terrible, deadly and destructive reminder of what a failing transmission line could do. While the Eaton fire in Los Angeles origin is still under investigation, there has been report of fire just under a transmission tower by the locals. These towers are for "only" 250kV transmission lines. We will keep monitoring to see what is ultimately found as a cause for the fire, but meanwhile, here is below a good article in the NY Times, highlighting past fire started due to a failiure to the electic grid.
BIG First Step - August 8th 2024
We had the pleasure to host 2 representatives from Horizon West/NextEra, Eric Oesterling (Senior Project Developer - Transmission ), Fred Bauermeiste (Director, West Region, Late Stage Development). We were able to drive them through Palomar Mountain and clearly highlight to them the significant risks and negative impacts associated with routing a transmission line through Palomar Mountain. We are now looking forward to their follow-up.
Save Palomar Mountain Task Force Mascot - July 2024
It is important to our mission to keep all informed, so we are please to announce that we have retained Ted Beary to be our spokersperson/mascot.
Horizon West Transmission (NextEra subsidiary) communication about the project - June 2024
" As an existing utility in California, Horizon West has experience working closely with local California communities, landowners and key stakeholders. Horizon West understands an ongoing community dialogue will be instrumental to the success of the project. "
Let's see how true to its words the company is...
CAISO bidder selection report for the500,000 Volt Transmission Line Project - 05/31/2024
North SONGS-Serrano 500 KV line project report from CA Independant System Operator (CAISO) is released to the public.
Palomar Mountain Struck Gold to Stop 500,000 Volt Transmission Line Project - 04/29/2024
This is Day 11 of learning about this 500,000 Volt transmission line to cut across Palomar Mountain. How did we find out? SDG&E sent letters out to property owners on what we now call the Orange Line. The letters stated that environmental survey teams would be entering their properties. ... read more
Palomar Mountain is Loaded for Bear! Help Stop 500,000 Volt Lines - 04/28/2024
“We’re geared up, loaded for bear!”
That’s a quote from one of our neighbors who was on the phone yesterday with Brian Freye, the contact person for the environmental surveys for SDG&E. Their property is one in orange on this map. ... read more
News Alert!!! Bid for 500,000 Volt line to be awarded April 29th!!! - 04/23/2024
Where could the 500,000 Volt transmission lines go over Palomar? Map updated May 1, 2024
We are only guessing, based on the people who were notified with very vague environmental survey letters by SDG&E with this route... read more
500,000 Volt power line info – We need YOU! - 04/20/2024
Have you heard? The State of California is planning a 500,000 Volt transmission line to run right through the heart of Palomar Mountain. Concerned citizens are inviting you to meet up for some initial information to stop this project... read more
Save Palomar Mountain: how it all started
2024
In 2024, we were made aware of a bid proposa to build a 500kv transmission line which would bring power to the LA basin from Arizona/New Mexico.
At the time, we could only guess where transmission lines would run, based on notifications for environmental surveys on parcels, marked in orange on the map on the left, received during the bidding process.
The map shows the 500,000 Volt transmission line that could travel through Warner’s Valley at Lake Henshaw, up to Panorama Trail off East Grade (blue line). Then it could continue all along the very lush and beautiful East Grade Road, through both the Will and Dyche Valleys. The lines could go up and through the heart of Palomar where we have the General Store and Post Office.To access our only businesses, the public would have to drive under these lines, which could continue all along the south side of State Park Road (yellow line). We were told the plan was to extend through the State Park following the existing power easement. This would require massive clear-cutting. The lines would then be transmitting all the way to San Onofre to power to Orange County and the Los Angeles basin.
In addition, we understand that survey teams could have been on the north side of the Observatory, so there is a possibility that the line could come up through that area or Mendenhall Valley and travel above the existing easement to the top of Palomar, then continue down through the State Park. This is not just a simple residential line, this is one of the largest transmission lines requiring major clear-cutting, which is very destructive.
The SavePalomarMountain task force was created to monitor and advocate against this route.
Palomar Mountain Needs your Help!
Tell us why you believe Palomar Mountain, with its very unique old-growth forest and the beauty of the Four Seasons, should be preserved for future generations.