Legalectric

Just heard from Lisa Goza, of Stop TANC, that Modesto and Turlock dropped out, following SMUD’s withdrawal last week.  That’s supposedly 70% of the $$$$ for the project — gone!   Redding is hanging in there, but the STOP TANC crew is on them and… well… maybe tomorrow morning at the TANC board meeting, they’ll give it up, throw in the towel, and tank TANC.  It’s so close…

This group is amazing, so many people spread out over such a great distance, and they’re so wildly diverse, united against this obscene project built on lies — they’ve exposed the TANC project for what it is,  and it is falling… this is a case study in how to organize for impact.

Soon… it’s time for the silver stake!

Yolo supervisors reject transmission power lines

By LIZETH CAZARES/Lcazares@dailydemocrat.com
Created: 07/14/2009 03:49:59 PM PDT

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors attempted to short out a proposed high-voltage power line by sending a letter recommending the end of the long-debated project.

TANC, or the Transmission Agency of Northern California, is proposing to erect high-voltage power lines across Yolo County in an attempt set in place future renewable energy projects scattered throughout the state.

On June 30, TANC representatives spoke with Yolo County about the project, but after a lengthy discussion the board was not convinced the project was a good idea. While supervisors emphasized their commitment to renewable energy, they questioned the feasibility of the project and expressed their displeasure with TANC’s inability to work with local governing agencies.

Now, after the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Turlock Irrigation District and the Modesto Irrigation District all withdrew from the project, the board decided to officially request that TANC end its project.

On Tuesday the board recommended to send a letter requesting that officials put an end to the project and adopt protocol for working with local government in the future.

Two more players drop out of TANC proposal

* By Scott Mobley

Two more TANC power line backers have defected, perhaps dooming a power line that has galvanized grass roots opposition from Cassel to Davis and beyond.

The Transmission Agency of Northern California board will hold a special telephone meeting this morning to consider whether to go ahead with a proposal to build the $1.5 billion, 600-mile-long power line.

Members of the public may participate in the meeting by telephone from the Redding Electric Utility office at City Hall and from 16 other TANC member offices around Northern California.

Turlock Irrigation District and Modesto Irrigation District on Tuesday followed the Sacramento Municipal Utility District in pulling out of planning for the high-voltage power line, slated to stretch from Lassen County to Silicon Valley.

Brendan Wonnacott, TANC spokesman, said the agency decided to call the special meeting Monday evening. By that point, Turlock’s staff has already recommended the utility withdraw and Modesto was known to lean in that direction.

James Beck, TANC general manager, will report to commissioners this morning “on the status of the project and whether to proceed, suspend, or terminate activities related to the project,” according to the agenda.

Wonnacott would not speculate on what Beck’s recommendation will be or how the commissioners will vote. But a TANC decision to terminate probably won’t end power line planning, he said.

“The bottom line is transmission is needed,” Wonnacott said. “Whether it is TTP or somebody else, more transmission is needed to access renewables, meet greenhouse gas requirements and improve the overall reliability of the system. This is vitally important.”

SMUD, however, was apparently persuaded by a Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative study and other independent reports noting that far northeastern California hosts scant renewable energy compared to Southern California. Developing this energy would carry a steep environmental price tag, the reports claimed.

SMUD was the TANC line’s largest financial backer, paying for much of the transmisison that was to go from Ravendale in Lassen County to the Tracy substation east of the San Francisco Bay area.

SMUD’s decision to withdraw prompted Turlock to reconsider, according to a press statement. Turlock and Modesto had planned to bank roll an eastern spur of the line from the valley into the Sierra Nevada foothills to New Melones Dam.

Turlock “concluded that continued participation in the project wasn’t in the best interest for TID and its customers and will bring alternative options back to the Board for approval,” according to the press statement.

SMUD, Turlock and Modesto together account for roughly 70 percent of the financial backing for the power line.

Thousands of property owners up and down Northern California were distressed to learn this winter and spring that TANC had included their land in a study area for siting of the power line corridors. Mere inclusion in the study areas ruined their property values, many homeowners said.

The remaining TANC members planning for the transmission line are Silicon Valley Power of Santa Clara and Redding. Santa Clara is the largest backer next to SMUD, while Redding is by far the smallest, with 1.7 percent.

REU Director Paul Hauser could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday.

If you’re going

What: Special TANC telephonic meeting.

When: 8:30 a.m. today.

Where: Redding Electric Utility, City Hall, 777 Cypress Ave.

Agenda includes: Whether to proceed, suspend or terminate planning for TANC transmission project.

Modesto Irrigation District withdraws from massive power line project

MODESTO: MID withdraws from massive power line project

Bee Staff Reports

The Modesto Irrigation District formally pulled out of a plan this morning to string 600 miles of high-voltage power lines from northeastern California to the central part of the state.

On a 5-0 vote, the power company’s directors said there was “significant anticipated legal exposure” had they remained part of TANC, or Transmission Agency of Northern California. The decision followed a staff recommendation last week that MID withdraw from the controversial project.

TANC was envisioned as a way to link solar- and wind-generating energy farms in Lassen County with power customers in the Central Valley and Bay Area. The $1.5 billion project drew widespread opposition from property owners along many parts of the proposed route, which would have featured tall transmission lines bisecting property of people in some areas who would not have benefitted from the power.

The MID’s decision mirrors that of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District two weeks ago. SMUD and MID were the two largest districts in the consortium, which also includes the Turlock Irrigation District.

The TID also was expected to vote today on whether to remain part of the group.

MID General Manager Allen Short was the chairman of the TANC commission.