Supervisor Hansberger Speaks Out on Behalf of Desert Residents
Posted by: Mentok | 05/27/2008 11:49 PM
San Bernardino County Supervisor Dennis Hansberger, who represents the Third District, wrote a very passionate letter to Mayor Villaraigosa and the LA City Council speaking out against proposed plans by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to build transmission lines throughout the Morongo Basin (part of his District) to help power the city of LA. The project, known as Green Path North, has been strongly criticized by a majority of residents of the desert and many conservationist organizations. In a nutshell, they wanted to "utilize" portions of the San Bernardino County desert to power their own city... with such utilization consisting of environmental damage, degradation, and pollution. No wonder why it has been strongly criticized and opposed by the locals.
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County Supervisor Dennis Hansberger is urging Los Angeles city officials to abandon plans to build power transmission lines in the Morongo Basin.
In a strongly worded letter to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Los Angeles City Council last week, Hansberger states that the Green Path North project will create "environmental devastation" in the desert communities of San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
"Your current proposal shows a complete disregard for our pristine desert," said Hansberger, whose 3rd District includes the Morongo Basin.
His letter amplifies a resolution approved by the Board of Supervisors in December opposing the project. Hansberger complained that Los Angeles officials have made little attempt to communicate with officials in areas affected by the project.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is proposing to build a system of electrical towers and power lines from Desert Hot Springs to Hesperia to transmit energy from geothermal, solar and wind projects in the Imperial Valley.
Joseph Ramallo, director of public affairs for the utility, said the project is in the early planning stages and no route has been determined.
"We are committed to studying a number of alternative routes," he said.
Ramallo said a lengthy environmental review will be conducted and will include public outreach. He said a schedule for the environmental review has not yet been determined.
Everyone in the desert communities of the third district will see what this is, a ploy to get votes at the last minute. Hansberger has never cared about that part of his district, but we should believe he does now. Get real! The Green Path North project has been out there for a long time, and Hansberger only now addresses the concerns of his neglected constituants. TOO LITTLE TOO LATE!
What is this a joke?
Hansberger could really care less about any of this. Campaign stunt only!
See it for what it is. Voters in the Morongo Valley can't stand this guy.
It's funny that Hansberger is struggling so badly to get law enforcement approval, he must try and make the connection by using the District Attorney and Sheriff in radion commercials. The bottom line is Hansberger does not have the support of any law enforcement group in the state of California.
Actually, he has been speaking out against this since the beginning. As a resident of the desert, please speak truthfully in your comments. We strongly oppose this project and appreciate the Supervisors leadership in opposing it.
He's been speaking out?
Please..... Hansberger originally thought Green Path was an Edison Project and tried to tag Derry with it.
Doesn't he know the difference between Edison and LA Dept of Water and Power?