Right on wrote on Oct 25, 2007 8:58 AM:Go underground. Many countries around the world have already caught onto this practice. In our high fire prone area this is the only thing that makes sense as well.

Sunrise Powerlink would have been destroyed wrote on Oct 25, 2007 10:27 AM:This is Southern California. I wonder how those solar panels out there are producing right now ? It may be like the fact that you can get a terrible sunburn on a cloudy day. No matter what, the transfer of the expense of Sunrise Powerlink to be made available to assist homes and businesses in the addition of solar would sure be more worthy. Those who consume large portions of energy are the ones who will benefit the most. There is a nasty matter of Demand Metering, which has been slipped into place without customer knowledge, or choice of alternatives. If we do not do something, everyone with "demand" will pay extra charges for the maximum peak power consumption, even if it is only used for minutes, throughout an entire billing period. Sunrise Powerlink - No. Solar PV - Yes. The only things stopping it or holding it back are the high prices, "contractors", lack of adequate incentives, and short supply of PV Solar.

Fred wrote on Oct 25, 2007 10:33 AM:You have causes and effects confused. Preliminary CDF reports indicate that the Witch Creek fire was caused by SDG&E transmission lines arcing and sparking. The solution certainly doesn't lie in creating more opportunities for ignition.

Tony wrote on Oct 25, 2007 10:39 AM:There is a mothballed electric powerplant called Silvergate near downtown San Diego that has four generators capable of creating 250 kilowatts each. There is also legislation that would allow a fourth generator at San Onofre (unit #1 has been decommissioned) that would provide 250 kilowatts to power a desalination plant (we need the water!) and provide 750 kilowatts of electricity to meet our needs. We need to get both facilities online!

Sunny wrote on Oct 25, 2007 11:43 AM:Quit blowin' smoke NCT. Now more than ever - we need decentralized rooftop solar in California. Even with all the ashes, we had plenty of sun in Vista this week. Putting a power line through fire country is a bum idea.

Jeeeez! wrote on Oct 25, 2007 11:43 AM:The power lines started this whole thing right? You wanna build more? UGH!!!

Freeman wrote on Oct 25, 2007 1:02 PM:Let's face it. You are comparing "apples" with "oranges" and none of it has to do with the "price of eggs in China". The real problem lies with your legislators. If they were serious about the fire issue as well as the power issue, they would have done what is right versus what is good for their pocket book. Tell me, how many fire stations have they built since the last fire? How many fireman have they hired? How many controlled burns have been done as well as clearing of dead shrubs around these power lines? If you take the time to take a closer look you will see the true picture. Remember, action speaks louder then words.

Light one candle wrote on Oct 25, 2007 2:26 PM:If solar had been in place, people would have power. The sun is shining. It is shining every day. Absurd to even consider Sunrise Powerlink. That link would be gone, and there would be less alternatives. Get on the ball and start a campaign to get the Powerlink costs transferred into a rebate/retrofit program. Solar wouldn't be a switch that someone flips one day. The process will take time, but by taking the power usage off the grid, and maybe even allowing that law that says if a customer supplies a utility back to the company, they hve t be paid the same rate, instead of not ever getting a financial pay-back. Some would install large systems, where space permits, if that were the case. Light one candle or forever curse the darkness.

yachtscrew wrote on Oct 25, 2007 4:42 PM: Why is it necesary to have a disaster before new options are considered? Maybe because we are trained to be good consumers and never think for ourselves. Yes, subsidising a solar/geothermal combination might be worthwhile. A homeowner unit where solar powered the geothermal pumps that can add to home power. A self contained unit eliminates the grid...plus a new home grown industry leading the pack.

auntiegrav wrote on Oct 25, 2007 6:08 PM:Someone else said it, I'll repeat it. Go underground. You eliminate much of the airconditioning, the fire hazard, and leave more room up above for solar panels. Grow mushrooms in the shade from the panels. Earth homes are the only thing that makes sense in the brush and desert. The mansions which burned were an eyesore and simply in the wrong place. Nature doesn't negotiate when you are too stupid to pay attention to your surroundings. California should outlaw the flush toilet and the car wash. In fact, the car is pretty much done for, and so will LA be in that case. What's the point in living in a city that can only survive on cheap oil and which is going to be underwater in 20 years thanks to the self-absorbed car culture? Solar panels and sod homes. Get used to it. The best thing about earth homes is that you can put a garden on your roof. Food in the future is going to be the money: E. Colifornia

David wrote on Oct 25, 2007 10:31 PM:I agree there are older power plants in the area that could be used to provide power but Californians tree huggers and other silly groups tie the SDG&E hands or the theats of law suits. Solar panels can have the ash easly blown or off of them. Yes, there is some blockage of light but solar panels are something that should never be discourage. The real problem is that the Forest department has stop clearing the dead growth This same growth could be trucked to power a power plant better then letting it burn in a fire like this. For years before the white man came to California there were wild fires But if man wants to control them. Control fires burns and brush clearing is the answer. If smaller waste burning power plants were allowed to be built we would not need nearly as many of these super powerline grids The total polution would be much less because healthy trees use up more CO2 and produce more O2 California could require some of it welfare and unemployed to help with gathering and cleaning up the woods. but that would make too much since to make them work for thier money. BTW certian trees will only produce new seeding after a fire. Fire is one of natures ways of getting rid of unhealthy trees and control insect problems.

Gary in Yakima wrote on Oct 26, 2007 3:19 AM:I have developed 2 energy systems. One would strengthen our current power grid, improve flood control, create pressurized irrigation, increased land reclaimation and could be put into place today using existing materials and technology. It also would keep billions of pounds in greenhouse gas emmisions from going into the atmosphere..It also would create power locally and would pay for its construction with the power it produces within a short amount of time while also paying for the salaries of the new jobs it would create.. The other would extend the fossil fuel reserve by over 400% while burning 60% cleaner.. I have had these for years now and have yet to even explain how they work to those in power who claim to want answers. If the answer cannot be found within their outstretched hand they believe it is not there to be had...If inventors of the past had to deal with all of the closed doors one finds today(The closed doors of those asking for answers) then we would be riding horses and buying lots of candles and kerosene..sirflying at yahxx.and the kerosene would be a maybe..Lol.

Sri Raja wrote on Oct 26, 2007 6:05 AM:It stupid to build transmission lines in a fire prone area. The only feasible alternative is building a local power station. But then this is NIMBY country. Everybody wants the benefits , nobody wants the cost!

kat wrote on Oct 29, 2007 9:54 AM:What a plethora of great information on the proposed Sunrise Powerlink and its alternatives! I am so happy to see the people thinking! Please keep this up. Earth houses producing food with the help of solar panels that provide the shade on the roof! Halleluya! Perhaps there is hope for humans yet! I would like to add that the over development in this area did not help those where houses helped to fire up the fuel on the house just several feet from the next house! Houses are great fuel...unless they are earthen or in other ways fire proofed.

Mark wrote on Nov 1, 2007 8:05 AM:Use the money that would be used to build the new power line for greater rebates towards solar power. There is no reason why every house in San Diego County should not have solar panels on their roof tops generating power. Other than SDG@E.