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Leave A Voicemail At CPUC – Underground RTRP

Hi Power Transmission Tower

Your voice is needed. I am making an appeal for you to make a phone call and leave a voicemail. Or, write a letter.

If you Call: (You can do both!)

866-849-8390

  • #1 for English
  • #4 to comment and include the Utility Company name and the proceeding number   RE: A.15-04-013, Edison, Riverside Transmission Reliability Project
  • Your comment will be given to every commissioner reviewing the petition.
  • Public.advisor@CPUC.ca.gov
    • Give the hearing # A.15-04-013 Riverside Transmission Reliability Project
    • Give your position, such as:  “I want you to approve the City of Norco’s petition to underground this project:”

The voicemail and  letter can be as short as you would like.  I recommend keeping a voicemail and letter short. Say this:

“My name is ________, and I am asking the CPUC to approve Norco’s petition to underground the Riverside Transmission Reliability Project.  RE: A.15-04-013 – Full undergrounding of Riverside Transmission Reliability Project as proposed by Petition from the City of Norco in Riverside County.”

 Say anything you would like after that, but end with the same request!  Use any of the letter points in your voicemail if you like.

RTRP Route Map

If you can do more, Write a letter to the CPUC;  Use the sample letter. Send a word doc to Sharon Mateja, smateja@earthlink.net

She will forward to the City of Norco to scan them on Monday and forward them on our behalf to the CPUC.  Or, Mail it yourself.

We need a data set filled with community voices. Spread the word. This is a short and sweet moment to make a difference.  The review starts Tuesday Nov 14th. Your voice will determine the legacy we leave future residents

THE REVIEW STARTS ON TUESDAY!!!!! Please do this ASAP

Sample Letter Text

Alice Bushing Reynolds, President

Genevieve Shiroma, Commissioner

Darcie L. Hauck, Commissioner

John Reynolds, Commissioner

Karen Douglas, Commissioner

505 Van Ness Ave.

San Francisco, CA 94102

 

RE: A.15-04-013 – Full undergrounding of Riverside Transmission Reliability Project as proposed by Petition from the City of Norco in Riverside County

Dear Madame President and Commissioners:

I write this letter in support of fully undergrounding the Riverside Transmission Reliability Project (RTRP). While I recognize the need for a transmission project in our county, I want to urge the Commission to re-evaluate its prior decisions in this matter and require the undergrounding of the project.

Since the last review by the Commission, much has changed that demands undergrounding of the project. Most significant among these new factors are the rapidly expanding threats from wildfires in the region. Fighting wildfires in California has become one of the major undertakings for our state and local communities. Overhead transmission lines will limit the firefighters from using planes and helicopters to fight the fires. And, these air attack resources are critical to stopping the spread of wildfires. Even worse, overhead transmission lines can be the cause of these conflagrations.

Earlier in your deliberations, you decided to underground a portion of the RTRP because of its impact on poorer neighborhoods in Riverside County. Jurupa Valley was wise enough to pursue this with the Commission, and it is time for the Commission to realize that these same issues exist in other areas now scheduled for aerial transmission lines. Please underground the RTRP through these areas of our county, as well.

One final thought—Southern California Edison (SCE) has made much of the impact of the RTRP project on ratepayers of the county. As you know, however, this is not nearly as impactful as described by SCE. The costs of undergrounding this project are spread among the ratepayers in the service area of the ISO, not just the territory of SCE. Please do not be blindsided by SCE’s assertions in this matter.

In conclusion, please support the undergrounding of the RTRP in Riverside County. Thank you,

(Sign Name Here)

 

UNA November 2023 Meeting Agenda

Map and Directions To Crest Community Church
3431 Mt Vernon Ave, Riverside, CA 92507

1. Welcome – Introductions                                       5 min.

2. Guest Speaker from RPU                                     30 min

3. News Updates                                                              5 min.

4. CBDG Meeting Wed Nov 15 Ceasar  Chavez Center 2060 University Ave 6 pm

 Watkins Dr Re-striping                                             15 min.

      Neighborhood Specific Plan

Neighborhood Issues & Resources

Follow Our Courts

US Covid Atlas

Riverside Neighborhood Partnership

Neighbors Better Together

UNA September 2023 Meeting Agenda

Map and Directions To Crest Community Church
3431 Mt Vernon Ave, Riverside, CA 92507

1. Welcome – Introductions                                       5 min.

2. Watkins Dr Re-striping                                          15 min.

      Neighborhood Specific Plan

3. Mt Vernon / Lizard Hill                                          15 min.

4.RTRP Update                                                                15 min.

5. Utility Rate Increases                                              20 min.

6. Idea Survey: Neighborhood Yard Sale,

Permaculture / Food Forest

7.  Neighborhood Award Nominations

1rnpinfo@gmail.com

Neighborhood Issues & Resources

Follow Our Courts

US Covid Atlas

Riverside Neighborhood Partnership

Neighbors Better Together

RTRP Update

Hi Power Transmission TowerMost Current Talking Points

Coalition of Riverside City Council & Norco to underground High Transmission Lines Norco will spend approximately $300,000 to $500,000 in this effort.

Edison is engaging in a full-court, behind the scenes press distributing misinformation. Facts:

  • Project will not cost a “billion dollars”
  • Project is not shovel ready
  • The project regardless of above or below ground will be spread out over every rate payer in the state – either way will cost approximately $1.00 additional per year. (Cal Strategies: Steve Larson & Hope Christman/CPUC)
  • We will be petitioning for the entire length of line: under river, Norco, County, La Sierra (we are correcting the press release)
  • No Riverside residents’ rates will go up more then a dollar per year due to this project
  • Norco has hired the same attorney and consultant who undergrounded Jurupa Valley and Chino Hills
  • Undergrounding in the EIR was deemed the superior way to go but it was not explored.
  • In the short term undergrounding disturbs the area but in the long term is better for the environment
  • When high transmission lines go up, it impedes the ability for helicopters to drop water on fires – that is exactly what saved Norco during the two large fires on our SW and SE quadrant – without those helicopters Norco would have been in trouble.
  • The center of Norco is rated highest for fire danger.
  • The river bottom is an urban forest – the EIR downplays the vegetation
  • The City of Riverside invested in new helicopters that may not be able to function effectively with smoke obscuring the transmission lines.
  • The EIR was completed prior to the devastating Paradise Fire, Norco’s two major fires and Lahaina.
  • The Santa Ana winds reach a higher wind speed then the hurricane winds that caused the Lahaina fire.
  • Hope Christman, our areas CPUC Rep is creating a fact sheet with additional information

We need a strong response from elected who carry more weight with the CPUC: we need specifically targeted letters to both electeds and CPUC. In the next few days we will be releasing talking points.  Below are elected officials to contact and status of their support and our ask: please be respectful.

We Are Just Getting Started Sign

 

 

 

 

 

Senator Alex Padilla (310) 231-4494 https://www.padilla.senate.gov/contact/contact-form/

Is looking for a way to fund the undergrounding – send letters to encourage.

Congressman Ken Calvert Office (951) 277-0042
https://calvert.house.gov/zip_authentication?form=/contact/email-me

He is in full support and is currently working on figuring out the status of the re-alignment of the high transmission lines through the Hidden Valley Nature Preserve. We need a full-support letter.

Congressman Mark Takano (951) 222-0203 https://takano.house.gov/contact/email-me

Is in full support, is working with Calvert to underground. Need letters of encouragement and strong support letter.

Senator Richard Roth Office (951) 680-6750
https://sd31.senate.ca.gov/send-e-mail

Says he is supporting and has sent a rep to all RTRP meetings.  Need a stronger letter that excludes the time restriction and claim of no support should rates go up (this is a false narrative being pushed by Edison)

Senator Kelly Seyarto Office (951) 280-1260
https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=SD32&inframe=N

Fully in support and onboard: Letters of support and ask to continue are appropriate.

Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes Office (951) 371-6860
https://a58.asmdc.org/contact-me
Fully supports and is on board – but, as in the case of Senator Roth, we need a stronger letter of absolute support.

Assemblymember Bill Essayli Phone (951) 369-6644
https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD63&inframe=N
Fully on board and helped bring Riverside and Norco councils together.

First District County Board Supervisor Kevin Jeffries Office (951) 955-1010 district1@rivco.org

Kevin Jeffries told me he was on board and then pulled out stating the process has gone on too long and expressed concerns incorrectly about costs.  He seems to believe Edison and the ask is to fully support the fact that Riverside and Norco have formed and alliance and Norco is spending big bucks to do the right thing – he needs to get on board.

Second District County Board Supervisor Karen Spiegel
district2@rivco.org Office (951) 955-1020

She is supportive and was going to agendize for a vote but it seems Edison is strong arming the Supervisors to stay quiet. Need letters encouraging her to support and agendize issue.  It will not look good if it is agendized and only she votes yes – those voting no will not look so good.

Third District County Board Supervisor Chuck Washington
district3@rivco.org
Office (951) 955-1030

Has stated to me he supports undergrounding – election year, send letters to encourage full support.

Fourth District County Board Supervisor V. Manuel Perez
district4@rivco.orgOffice (951) 955-1040

Do not know him – send letters to support

Fifth District County Board Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez
district5@rivco.orgOffice (951) 955-1050

Told me he supports Norco’s position. Send letters to encourage unqualified support.

Riverside City Council

There appears to be a deadline of September 30 – we are working really hard to have our petition in and to have the funding or a chunk in place.  Steve and Chuck have done a wonderful job but holding that majority together seems to be tough. Particularly given that staff is little help.  Please write each and thank them for support and encourage to do the right thing.

Erin Edwards

Has opposed vocally the coalition – letters encouraging her to support.

Mayor Lock Dawson

On board – thank you.

Clarissa Cervantes

Strongly n board – thank and encourage                                           

Ronaldo Fierro

Strongly on board – say thank you

Chuck Conder

Organized the coalition – say thank you

Gaby Plascencia

Opposes at times – encourage support

Jim Perry

Opposes at times – encourage support

Steve Hemenway

Strongly on board and helping to organize

UNA July 2023 Meeting Agenda

Map and Directions To Crest Community Church
3431 Mt Vernon Ave, Riverside, CA 92507

1. Welcome – Introductions                                              5 min.

2 City Receives $38.5 Million Transportation Grant

3. Council Updates                                                               20  min.

4. Announcements                                                                20 min.

Watkins Dr Re striping

5. Speaker Suggestions 2023

6. Idea Survey: Neighborhood Yard Sale,

Permaculture / Food Forest

7. Mt Vernon / Lizard Hill Update

Neighborhood Issues & Resources

Follow Our Courts

US Covid Atlas

Riverside Neighborhood Partnership

Neighbors Better Together

Watkins Dr Bike Lane Parking

Here’s an update on Watkins Dr. UCR side parking. Nathan suggested a possible solution. I sent him video over July 4th, when little parking was evident.
The links are below in the email.
___________
Hi Nathan,
It was good of you to join us at June’s NBT (Neighbors Better Together) meeting. You mentioned we might be able to restripe and eliminate the parking by using some sort of barrier.
I noticed that there have been some preliminary layout
marks to move the lanes Eastward slightly. In light of the neighbors desire to fulfill on the Neighborhood Specific Plan, and the support for world class bike lanes, would it be prudent to discuss barrier options before the re-stripping is done? Can we get bike land stripping on both sides of Watkins?
If we can come up with a plan over the next few weeks, we should be able to have the project ready for the start of the Fall Quarter. That would be the least disruptive time for this project to be reintroduced.
I took some video of each side of the street when the students were away for the before the 4th of July weekend.  Both are under two minutes. You might want to lower the audio to eliminate the wind noise. I had my arm outside holding the phone.
It’s a little fast but once you pass UCR’s Corp. Yard entrance, you start to see the vegetation growing along the curb. This is where the broken glass and trash winds up and the street sweeper never gets to it.
I’m at your service should you have a need to discuss this. Thanks for coming up with a creative potential solution. The neighbors will be very pleased.

UNA June 2023 Meeting Agenda

Map and Directions To Crest Community Church
3431 Mt Vernon Ave, Riverside, CA 92507

1. Welcome – Introductions                                              5 min.

2. Crest Community Church Housing Plan           20 min.

click link for PDF details

3. Council Updates                                                               20  min.

4. Announcements

5. Speaker Suggestions 2023

Neighborhood Issues & Resources

Follow Our Courts

US Covid Atlas

Riverside Neighborhood Partnership

Neighbors Better Together

UNA May 2023 Meeting Agenda

Map and Directions To Crest Community Church
3431 Mt Vernon Ave, Riverside, CA 92507

1. Welcome – Introductions                                              5 min.

2. Last Property Development Possibility              20 min.

3. Council Updates                                                                20  min.

Engagement Policy Workshop

Tuesday, May 16th City Council Meeting

https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=11950959&GUID=EA738E00-77E9-47C3-83A0-454CF26BC7EE

4. UCR Updates                                                                      10  min

5. Announcements

Watkins Clean Up

Flag Volunteers                                                          10 min

6. Speaker Suggestions 2023

Neighborhood Issues & Resources

Follow Our Courts

US Covid Atlas

Riverside Neighborhood Partnership

Neighbors Better Together

Volunteer Opportunities

Watkins Dr. Clean Up

Sat. May  13

8:30-11:30

Piccacho & Watkins Dr.

Flag  Volunteers NeededMemorial Day CemetaryFlags

Riverside National Cemetery is asking for volunteers . 260,000 graves need flags.

8 a.m. May 27 th  put out flags May 30 to retrieve the flags.  Combine patriotism with a healthy walk.  Wear good walking shoes and spend as much time as you have to give.  Thank you.  Cheryl Dumaine

 

 

Community Needs Assessment Survey

Community Needs Assessment Survey

We are looking for many friends to help us share this community needs assessment survey with as many Riverside County residents as possible.

Community Needs Assessment Survey Flyer 2023This survey data is collected annually by Community Action Partnership and Inland SoCal United Way, and helps to drive priorities for CAP programs to align with community interests and needs. If you’re curious about what CAP does, check out their website: https://capriverside.org/

Surveys are intended for residents of Riverside County. You may choose to remain anonymous, or include contact information to be eligible for prizes. For questions, please ask Mark at the contact info below. Survey deadline: May 15th.

Please spend a few moments to take the survey and share with your friends and neighbors. Here are links to the flyers in English and Spanish.