Tag Archives: RTRP

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

RTRP Vote To Find Funding For Undergrounding

Hi Power Transmission TowerWe Need Your Voice!

We were told unequivocally that undergrounding the high-powered transmission lines near Hidden Valley (Ward 7) was not possible. For fifteen years they said it was a “DONE DEAL” to place the lines overhead.

TRUTH:  It was NOT a “done deal”. Truth is, they never told us the truth about any of it. This in spite of at least one public comment demanding an underground option from the start.

What a difference fifteen years of neighbors being organized , collaborative and effective in pursuing common desires. Add your voice at tomorrow’s City Council meeting.

MOTION to FIND the MONEY to underground this project will be made Tuesday, January 17th by Councilman Chuck Conder. It is important for you to SHOW UP and show support for this motion.

We NEED action! You can speak during “Open Comment” or come to support your neighbors who are speaking and support the council members who want to see this project UNDERGROUND!

COME! Let our City know that you DO NOT want these lines overhead.

Where:          City Council Chambers next to City Hall

When:           Tuesday January 17, 2023

Time:             6:15 pm

Parking:        FREE in the evenings, handicapped available

BACKGROUND

RRR  is the neighborhood group most impacted by this. They have been fighting to have this project undergrounded since 2017 via:

  • EDUCATION
  • INFORMATION
  • FORUMS
  • SOCIAL MEDIA
  • COMMUNITY MEETINGS

We were not giving up! Councilman Steve Hemenway (Ward 7) took the lead when he was elected in 2019. Due to his diligence, perseverance and educating himself on this project, there is now hope to underground these lines.

He brought Councilwoman Cervantes and Councilman Fierro onboard; but these 3 council members were outvoted to change the project.

Councilman Conder now realizes that undergrounding is the “superior project”, and he will bring a motion before our Council on Tuesday to FIND THE MONEY to do so!

Please come and show support for these 4 councilpersons who have listened and responded to residents. They deserve our public support. This is a defining moment in the history of Riverside.

  • Steve Hemenway Ward 7
  • Clarissa Cervantes Ward 2
  • Ronaldo Fierro Ward 3
  • Chuck Conder Ward 4

Tonight Special Teach In Meeting On RTRP

RTRP Route Map

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

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Every Second Thursday (Except August)

RTRP Riverside Transmission Reliability Project Teach In

Please join us to learn more about the RTRP which includes erecting 100’+ towers along the Santa Ana River viewshed.

We have a panel of experts to explain, answer questions and formulate next steps to help our Utilities Department understand the Public’s interest in how our Utilities Department stewards our natural assets and future proofs our utility rates.

1. Welcome – Introductions                                               5 min.

2.  RTRP Teach In Panel Discussion

We are fortunate to have a panel well versed in this project which is nearing a final approval from the California Public Utilities Commission.

Susan Bowen

Brian Berkson, Mayor Jurupa Valley

Councilman Chris Barajas, Jurupa Valley

Divonne Pitruzello

3. Announcements

4. Next Meeting: Thursday, July 11, 2019.

Tell your neighbors. It’s time to get informed before it’s too late to save our Santa Ana view shed

Find what’s up and what you can do.

Sign the Petition!

Related Info:

What caused the Thomas Fire? It was one of the largest wildfires in California history

Riverside’s Measure C The People’s Will About Our Natural Land Based Assets

 

Overhead Power Lines Along Santa Ana Forum June 13

RTRP Overhead Lines Along Santa Ana
The Riverside Transmission Reliability Project will destroy the viewshed of Riverside and the surrounding communities forever. This is being promoted by our public utility department. It’s unwise and unnecessary. Find out why at a special Teach In at the next UNA meeting – June 13, 2019.

We’ll have

 Mayor Brian Berkson/Jurupa Valley
 Councilman Chris Barajas/Jurupa Valley
 Norco Representative Susan Bowen
 Devonne Pitruzzello
to explain why undergrounding is better for all communities and what you can do to make sure that happens. Tell your neighbors.  Mark the date. 3 weeks and counting.

 Save The Date  June 13, 2019

Image

   Join us every 2nd Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm for
the UNA neighborhood meeting.
Watch for the signs throughout
the neighborhood the weekend before.

Map and Directions To Crest Community Church

3431 Mt Vernon Ave, Riverside, CA 92507