Lower Costs for Consumers

"(Sunrise Powerlink) would provide significant near-term system reliability benefits to California, reduce system congestion and its resultant costs, and provide an interconnection to both renewable resources located in the Imperial Valley and lower cost out-of-state generation."

-California Energy Commission 2006 Integrated Energy Policy Report Update

The San Diego region is connected to the state's energy grid by only two transmission lines, the last one built more than 20 years ago. At times of peak demand, these lines are jammed, just like a freeway at rush hour. That's why it's called transmission line "congestion." During these peak times, such as a hot summer day in August, the cost of moving electricity through these few "congested" transmission lines skyrocket. What's more, San Diego's lack of transmission lines also means old, inefficient power plants that are very expensive to operate must be kept in-service to meet the energy demands of the region.

The Sunrise Powerlink will add a new "energy superhighway" to the state's energy grid and help relieve overburdened transmission lines. The new line will also reduce the need to run inefficient and polluting power plants and expand access to cheaper supplies of energy. The California Independent System Operator, the entity responsible for managing the state's energy grid, estimates that the Sunrise Powerlink could save ratepayers across the state more than $100 million per year. That's something all California families and businesses can support!