Centinela Solar project approved

After a lengthy public hearing, the conditional-use permit of the 2,600 acre wide Centinela Solar project was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors in special meeting Tuesday.

Sunrise Powerlink Crews Meet Extended Deadline to Protect Golden Eagles

Sunrise Powerlink crews finished work in four key project areas in eastern San Diego County, beating an extended deadline of December 16 to complete construction in these areas before the start of golden eagle nesting season.

Soitec Dedicates its San Diego North American Solar Headquarters and Manufacturing Plant With Governor of California

Soitec (Euronext), a world leader in generating and manufacturing revolutionary semiconductor materials for the electronics and energy industries, dedicated its new North American solar headquarters and manufacturing plant in San Diego at a ceremony held on Friday, December 16.

Solar maker to hire 450 in SD

French semiconductor maker Soitec is moving forward with plans for a solar manufacturing plant within San Diego city limits, putting the region at the forefront for deployment of a promising and relatively new photovoltaic technology.

SUNRISE POWERLINK HELICOPTERS BACK IN FLIGHT

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) provided SDG&E with the green light last week to resume helicopter operations on the Sunrise Powerlink. The state agency had temporarily halted this activity of the project to ensure that safe construction practices were being followed after a handful of helicopter incidents.

Another Legal Victory for the Sunrise Powerlink

The Sunrise Powerlink won another court proceeding Tuesday. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied opponents' request for an emergency motion for a temporary injunction, which would have halted construction on federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

SDG&E Signs Renewable Contracts for Nearly 200 MW of Green Energy

SAN DIEGO, July 8, 2011 – Since January 1, 2011, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has added more than 1,200 megawatts (MW) of clean, green energy to its renewable portfolio. Today, the utility announced it has signed two more contracts: a 25-year power purchase agreement for 150 megawatts (MW) of solar power with Solar Gen 2 LLC and a one-year contract for 40 MW of geothermal power with Silicon Valley Power.

Mission accomplished?

Tuesday, June 21, Federal Judge Roger T. Benitez, the fourth federal judge assigned to this particular matter, held a court hearing in the case of Backcountry Against Dumps, The Protect Our Communities Foundation, East County Community Action Coalition, and Donna Tisdale (collectively Tisdale Group) versus the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), et al, with SDG&E as the defendant real party in interest. The federal case arises out of the Sunrise Powerlink transmission project, and is the last of 12 unsuccessful challenges by various organizations.

California Renewable Energy: Can The Golden State Retake Its Lead?

When it comes to wind power, California lags behind some unlikely competitors: Texas and Iowa. Both of those states, despite their less "green friendly" images, use more megawatts of wind power to generate electricity. That could soon change, however, with California's new renewables portfolio standard (RPS), signed into law on April 12 by Governor Jerry Brown. The RPS mandates that California get 33 percent of its power from renewable energy sources like wind and solar power by the year 2020, and no other state pushes for such an aggressive target on such a short timeline.

Harvest the wind with Tule project

It’s easy to support California’s mandate for 33 percent renewable energy by 2020. It’s also easy for some to pick apart the details of any project to accomplish that shift away from polluting fossil fuels. San Diego has the opportunity for a wind farm producing 10 percent of the region’s electricity needs, at rates cheaper than solar, and closer to the local grid than many alternatives. The project is the proposed $500 million Tule Wind Farm near Interstate 8 where mountains meet desert close to Boulevard. One hundred turbines would produce 200 megawatts of electricity, enough for 130,000 households.

Biden Touts Renewable Energy Race in Visit to NREL

Vice President Joe Biden stressed the Obama administration's commitment to science and renewable energy during a speech Friday at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden. "Imagine the first country to make solar power as cheap as fossil fuels," said Biden, who was accompanied at the laboratory by Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet, and Reps. Diana DeGette of Denver and Ed Perlmutter of Golden.

California to Expand Solar Projects at 5 Prisons

State corrections officials have announced plans to expand solar energy projects at five state prisons that could save $55 million in energy costs over the next 20 years.

First 24/7 Solar Energy Plant to Be Constructed in U.S.

The Obama administration provided a loan guarantee of $737 million to SolarReserve on Thursday to construct the first large-scale solar power plant that stores energy and provides electricity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The solar power project will be constructed in Nevada. (Note that BrightSource Energy is at a similar stage in the development of a larger solar thermal power plant in the Mojave Desert, receiving a DOE loan guarantee of $1.37 billion in February 2010 and $168 million from Google this April.)

Sunrise Powerlink Wins Again in Court

The California Supreme Court has denied a petition arguing that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) was required to circulate a supplemental environmental document following approval of SDG&E’s Project Modification Report. Sunrise has overcome every legal hurdle to date.

Energy mandates ignore real world

Gov. Jerry Brown is expected in coming days to sign a bill requiring that 33 percent of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2020, much more than the present requirement of 20 percent. This is by far the most ambitious plan of any state, spurred by a determination to reduce the emissions that contribute to global warming and to stop sending billions of dollars each year to oil-producing nations with troubling agendas.

SDG&E SIGNS RENEWABLE POWER CONTRACT WITH TENASKA PROJECT THAT WILL USE LOCALLY PRODUCED SOLAR MODULES

SAN DIEGO, March 10, 2011 – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and a subsidiary of CSOLAR Development, LLC, a renewable energy company managed by Tenaska Solar Ventures, today announced a 25-year contract for up to 150 megawatts (MW) of solar energy to be generated at the Imperial Solar Energy Center (ISEC) West’s proposed 1,057-acre solar energy facility near El Centro, Calif. This project will create nearly 300 construction jobs in the Imperial Valley during the two-year construction period.

Big desert solar farm means big factory in San Diego

When negotiating with the developer of a big Imperial Valley solar farm, San Diego Gas & Electric didn't just want green power. It also asked for local jobs. Specifically, it said the cutting-edge solar panels to be used in the project should be made in San Diego. The energy generated at this facility will be delivered to San Diego via the Sunrise Powerlink.

California Supreme Court Sides with Sunrise Powerlinlk

The California Supreme Court has rejected an appeal filed more than two years ago by Sunrise Powerlink opponents claiming the project's environmental analysis was not done properly. The milestone ruling marks the end of opponents' attempts to invalidate the project on the basis that it violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), allowing San Diego Gas & Electric to deliver clean renewable energy to the region.

Rooftop Solar Only One Piece of Renewable Energy Puzzle

Some people say that putting solar panels on buildings in San Diego is all the renewable energy needed. Is this claim reasonable? In a word, no.

Ocotillo Wind Power Deal Announced

San Diego Gas & Electric Thursday announced a 20-year agreement that will result in one-quarter of its renewable energy coming from windmills in Imperial County. Enough juice from the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility will be delivered over the Sunrise Powerlink transmission lines to provide electricity to 130,000 customers, according to SDG&E.

Green Jobs Growing Faster than Total California Employment

From January 2008 to 2009, the most recent observable year, jobs in the green sector grew more than three times faster (3 percent) than total employment in California (1 percent). And the rate of growth of green jobs has been similar to that of software jobs since 2005, according to new statistics released by Next 10.

The Transmission Imperative for Renewables

It’s an interesting time to be involved with electricity. The power industry is on the verge of the biggest changes since the days of Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse. Recent breakthroughs around the world in power transmission systems have made it imperative for the U.S. to develop a more intelligent, flexible, long-haul transmission network that can carry renewable energy from remote locations to major population centers.

Study: By 2030, world can run on renewables

Scientists from Stanford University and the University of California at Davis have crunched the numbers and come up with a plan for how the world might economically and feasibly make the move to renewable energy in the next 20 to 40 years. In a two-part paper (Part 1 PDF, Part 2 PDF) published in the journal Energy Policy, Mark Z. Jacobson and Mark A. Delucchi show in great detail the who, what, where, and how of implementing a renewable energy-run world. It includes solutions to economic, material, and transport issues.

Obama Focuses on Solar Energy in State of the Union

President Obama made the development of cleaner energy a central tenet of his State of the Union speech Tuesday night, a theme he also had stressed in his 2010 address to Congress and the nation. This time, after a year in which more than 50 solar-related companies announced plans to establish or expand manufacturing facilities, the topic drew more bipartisan applause. The president said that a “new goal” will be for the nation to generate 80 percent of its electricity from clean energy sources by 2035.

Sunrise Powerlink construction underway

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 9, 2010 – California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jessie J. Knight Jr. and others today launched the official start of construction of the utility’s approximately $1.9 billion, 117-mile Sunrise Powerlink transmission line. Construction on the underground portion of the new power line, which will increase the reliability of the power grid and transport renewable wind, solar and geothermal energy to San Diego, started this week in Alpine, Calif. When completed in 2012, the 500-kilovolt Sunrise Powerlink electric “superhighway” will have the capacity to carry at least 1,000 megawatts of clean power, or enough energy to power approximately 650,000 homes.

Governor calls Sunrise Powerlink example to nation

San Diego Gas & Electric's controversial Sunrise Powerlink should serve as an example to the nation of how to build green infrastructure, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said during a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday.

Green Job Search Engine Now Crawling More Than 8,000 Green Jobs

GreenJobSpider.com, the niche search engine for green jobs is now indexing more than 8,000 green jobs according to a company spokesman. The site defines green jobs as those that create, support, maintain or regulate recycling, energy efficiency or renewable energy products & services. Launched in March of 2010, GreenJobSpider.com has quickly become the largest site with the most green jobs. They are not a typical job board. They are a job search engine which crawls the web looking for green jobs on other job sites and green employers, such as those in the solar, biofuel and wind power industries. When someone does a search on their site the user sees a list of matching job titles and by clicking the link is taken to where that job resides either on a company website or another job board.

Market Attractiveness Analysis between Wind and Solar Energy

Wind and solar are clean renewable energy resources available in abundance across all the regions. The business of generating electricity from the wind and solar is growing and is poised for rapid expansion as U.S, China and rest of the world are looking for cleaner and more sustainable ways to generate electricity. This unique report will provide you with valuable information, insights for trend and forecasts of different energy sources and levelised cost of energy of different energy sources. ( http://www.bharatbook.com/detail.asp?id=158992&rt=Benchmarking-of-Wind-with-Solar-Energy.html )

Southern California Edison signs for 259MW of renewable power

Southern California Edison (SCE) has sealed 21 power purchase deals, which will see it buy 259MW of electricity from renewable sources as a result of its 2010 renewable energy call.

New Solar Facility to Send Clean Energy to S.D. via Sunrise

The Community Alliance for the Sunrise Powerlink (CASP) welcomed the news today that SDG&E has signed a 25-year agreement with CSolar Development, LLC, a renewable energy company managed by Tenaska Solar Ventures, to purchase up to 130 megawatts of solar energy from a proposed photovoltaic facility in the Imperial Valley. This is the third signed contract secured by SDG&E in the past six months to deliver clean renewable energy to San Diego.

Key Decisions Clear the Air for San Diego's Clean Energy Future

San Diego received a double dose of good energy news last week. First, the United States Forest Service (USFS) reaffirmed its decision to approve the Sunrise Powerlink. Second, state regulators have finally given the green light to shut down the aging South Bay Power Plant in Chula Vista. Both of these decisions, which have been championed by the Community Alliance for the Sunrise Powerlink (CASP) for years, send a strong signal that San Diego is headed toward a clean-energy future.

USFS denies Sunrise appeals

The U.S. Forest Service has rejected appeals from people who claimed that it improperly approved construction of the Sunrise Powerlink through 19 miles of the Cleveland National Forest.

Unneeded South Bay Power Plant OK'd for demolition

The state's grid operator has given the go-ahead for the demolition of the South Bay Power Plant, opening the way for the removal of one of the biggest obstacles to the redevelopment of Chula Vista's waterfront. This is partly due to the fact that the plant's energy can be replaced by clean energy delivered from the Imperial Valley via the Sunrise Powerlink.

Salazar Green-Lights First Solar Projects on Public Lands

WASHINGTON, DC – In an historic step forward in the nation’s clean energy future, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today approved the first large-scale solar energy plants ever to be built on public lands. The two projects, both located in California, are the first in a series of renewable energy projects on public lands under final review by the Department of the Interior that would provide thousands of U.S. jobs and advance U.S. clean energy technologies.

Feds approve big solar project in the Imperial Valley

A large, innovative desert solar project designed to provide power to San Diego won final federal approval Tuesday.

Imperial Valley Solar Project Approved

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), an agency within the United States Department of the Interior, has approved the Imperial Valley Solar Project, one of the largest solar facilities in the nation and the first of its size to be constructed on public land (click here for more information). Ultimately, the clean energy generated at this facility will be delivered to San Diego via the Sunrise Powerlink.

Construction on Sunrise Powerlink to begin

San Diego Gas & Electric Co. will begin preliminary work on a highly contested transmission line Thursday, the utility said Wednesday.

Sunrise Powerlink construction starts

San Diego Gas & Electric said Wednesday it will start building essential elements of the Sunrise Powerlink this week.

Sempra Energy Joins Opposition to California Proposition 23

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - September 14, 2010) - Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) today announced that it has joined opposition to Proposition 23, the November California ballot initiative seeking to suspend AB32, the state's landmark global warming law.

Sempra Energy opposes Prop. 23

Sempra Energy jumped into the debate over the state's global warming law Tuesday, saying it opposes a November ballot initiative that would suspend the state's global warming law.

Sempra Joins Opposition to Prop. 23

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 14, 2010 – Sempra Energy today announced that it has joined opposition to Proposition 23, the November California ballot initiative seeking to suspend AB32, the state’s landmark global warming law.

Ray of sunshine on energy front

For those who believe the region should be producing and buying more solar energy, there is good news via the state Public Utilities Commission and San Diego Gas & Electric Co. We will soon – maybe even late-2011 soon – be doing so in an amount that could supply all of Escondido.

SDG&E Procures More Clean Energy

SDG&E has signed a second 20-year power-purchase agreement to procure up to 45 megawatts (MW) of solar energy from the proposed Centinela Solar Energy facility, to be located 90 miles east of San Diego in the Imperial Valley. The new contract, combined with a 20-year agreement SDG&E signed in May for up to 130 MW of power from the Centinela project, will provide for a combined total of up to 175 MW of clean, renewable energy, or enough electricity for more than 60,000 homes. Last month, SDG&E signed an additional renewable contract securing 7.5 MW of wind energy from Coram Energy, LLC of Tehachapi, Calif.

CEC Panel Green Lights IV Solar Plant

A California Energy Commission siting committee is recommending approval of the planned Imperial Valley Solar Project in Imperial County. The facility's energy would be delivered to San Diego via the Sunrise Powerlink transmission line.

Sunrise Helicopter Arrives

Local officials got a close look Thursday at San Diego Gas & Electric's new Erikson Air-Crane S64F Helitanker, called the "Sunbird." The utility bought the heavy-lift helicopter to help build the Sunrise Powerlink transmission line and has made it available for local firefighting efforts. Make sure to click on "Read More" below to watch a video of this bird in action over Lake Hodges!

Court Upholds Powerlink Approval

The California Court of Appeal has issued a key decision upholding the December 2008 approval of the Sunrise Powerlink by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). So far, San Diego Gas & Electric has won every regulatory appeal and legal challenge to the project.

ISO: Sunrise key to removing South Bay Power Plant

The California Independent System Operator (ISO), which oversees the state's power grid, has written a letter to SDG&E stressing its position that the Sunrise Powerlink is not only vital to maintaining local energy reliability, it is also a key component in future plans to decommission the South Bay Power Plant.

Two SD firms get funds for energy research

Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Monday that two San Diego companies have qualified for $2.4 million in federal stimulus grants for “shoot the moon” energy research. General Atomics will get nearly $2 million to work with the University of California San Diego to develop a battery big enough to store power for utilities, in which chemicals would flow through cells as power is needed. Counseling and Consulting Associates has landed $400,000 to develop an air-conditioning system that uses air instead of exotic gases as its cooling fluid. It is working with Flometrics and On Target design.

Sunrise too important to be delayed further

Well, it sure is nice to have all those years of wrangling over the Sunrise Powerlink behind us, isn’t it? With Cleveland National Forest Supervisor Will Metz’s decision that a 19-mile stretch of the power line from Imperial Valley to San Diego County can run through the forest, the last regulatory hurdle facing the project has been cleared. We know, of course, that opponents of San Diego Gas & Electric’s $1.9 billion project will continue to fight it through regulatory appeals and lawsuits. Thus, the first paragraph above was written with deliberate irony.

Powerlink approval a plus for county

The end of the major hurdles stalling the construction of the Sunrise Powerlink line between Imperial and San Diego counties appears to be over, and that is something all Imperial Valley residents should be thankful for. What it means, in a very basic sense, is that the building out of the line can commence and Imperial County can begin to take its place as the center of renewable energy.

North County Times on Sunrise Approval

San Diego Gas & Electric Co. cleared the last major hurdle before construction of a $1.9 billion power transmission line linking the Imperial Valley with San Diego County when the U.S. Forest Service approved the project Monday. The line, known as the Sunrise Powerlink, has been hotly contested for five years. SDG&E said the line would bring reliability to the grid and clean energy from the desert, while opponents said it wasn't needed and would cause environmental damage.

Sunrise Approval Sets Stage for Green Economy

Supporters of the Sunrise Powerlink today applauded a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) decision allowing the 120-mile electric transmission line to cross the Cleveland National Forest. This approval brings the project one step closer to delivering 1,000 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable energy from the Imperial Valley to San Diego and providing a significant economic boost to the region.

Gov. Schwarzenegger Applauds Sunrise Approval

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement after the U.S. Forest Service approved the Sunrise Powerlink transmission line.

Union-Tribune Reports on Sunrise Approval

More than five years after first proposing a big power line linking San Diego to the Imperial Valley, San Diego Gas & Electric Co. today is getting the news it has been waiting for — the last big roadblock to construction of the $1.9 billion Sunrise Powerlink is gone.

Governor's Letter to President Obama

Dear Mr. President, It was an absolute pleasure to be with you today to highlight what one innovative California company is doing to both protect our environment and boost our nation's clean economy. California could not be more proud to call Solyndra one of our own. Today's event brought together many of the things I have been working toward during my time as governor, including one of the biggest: bridging the gap between people who say environmental innovation and economic prosperity cannot go hand in hand.

Big 3 CA Utilities Sign Solar Contracts

California's three large investor-owned utility companies have been signing contracts for renewable energy at an unprecedented rate, according to a report from the state Public Utilities Commission.

Meg Whitman on Renewable Energy

Meg Whitman discusses the future of renewable energy in California on her campaign website.

Jerry Brown unveils clean-energy plan

Build a "California solar highway" by placing gleaming solar panels along the banks of freeways. Put projects on the "fast track" to get green energy to consumers sooner. Create nearly a half-million jobs by generating 20,000 megawatts of renewable energy by 2020. Attorney General Jerry Brown, the Democratic candidate for governor, came to Silicon Valley recently to announce those and other parts of his new "clean-energy jobs plan."

Sunrise 'Copter to Boost Fire Preparedness

The County of San Diego has approved spending $150,000 as part of a new partnership with the City of San Diego and SDG&E that will keep our region safer during the upcoming fire season. The innovative agreement will take advantage of SDG&E’s purchase of a new Erickson Air-Crane S64F Helitanker, which will be used to construct portions of the Sunrise Powerlink, but can also be retrofitted to fight fires.

IBLA Upholds Sunrise Approval

The Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) within the U.S. Department of the Interior has rejected the final appeal of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) decision approving the Sunrise Powerlink project. This final appeal had been filed by Backcountry Against Dumps (BAD) and other east county organizations.

Another Step Closer to a Clean Energy Future

The San Diego region continues to make great strides toward receiving clean energy from the Imperial Valley as a result of a new contract between San Diego Gas & Electric and LS Power Development. The Community Alliance for the Sunrise Powerlink (CASP) lauded the agreement, saying solar energy from LS Power’s Centinela Solar Energy facility would help reduce the need for older gas-fired power plants in San Diego, create numerous green-collar jobs and help meet state clean energy mandates.

USFS Nears Decision on Sunrise Powerlink

You may have read in the news over the weekend that the United States Forest Service (USFS) has issued an additional 45-day public review and comment period on the Sunrise Powerlink. This is an important step in moving the project forward. After months of inaction, the Forest Service has finally started the ball rolling on making a decision on the project.

Oil spill gives boost to green energy

Renewable energy measures that died in the Florida Legislature last month may get new life in a few weeks. Gov. Charlie Crist told reporters Tuesday that he plans to hold a special session in a couple of weeks to address the BP oil spill in the gulf, including measures to beef up the state's renewable energy supply.

Solar energy will play important role in lowering emissions

People who invest in solar energy systems in the coming years will be playing a role in helping the nation reduce the growth of its carbon dioxide emissions in the long term. A report released this week by the Energy Information Administration notes that carbon dioxide emissions from energy production are expected to grow by a 0.3 percent margin per year between 2008 and 2035.

New funds for concentrated solar energy

The Department of Energy has announced that it will distribute $62 million among various businesses with an eye on furthering concentrating solar power technology.

Power Plants Face Closures

Three power plants on the San Diego County coastline face major changes — from shuttering operations to building new cooling towers — in the wake of a landmark ruling by California’s water-quality officials to protect sea life. CASP NOTE: The Sunrise Powerlink will help replace some of that lost energy with clean energy from the Imperial Valley.

USDA Chief Responds to CASP Concerns

U.S. Secretary of Agriclture Tom Vilsack has resonded to letters from CASP co-chairs urging swift approval of the Sunrise Powerlink.

E-Mail Senator Feinstein Today!

Please send Senator Dianne Feinstein an e-mail today letting her know you support a clean energy future and the Sunrise Powerlink transmission line. Senator Feinstein recently questioned the United States Forest Service about the agency’s delay in approving the project.

Sen. Feinstein Supports Sunrise

United States Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) expressed her support for the Sunrise Powerlink during a recent Senate Appropriations hearing. Senator Feinstein also questioned the U.S. Forest Service about the agency's delay in approving this major electric infrastructure project, which is critically needed to deliver clean energy to our region.

Feinstein Pushes for Sunrise Approval

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein had tough questions for the head of the U.S. Forest Service during a recent appropriations hearing about the Forest Service's delay in approving the Sunrise Powerlink.

Solar Plant Status Updated in NY Times

The New York Times publishes a comprehensive update on Tessera Solar's proposed solar plant in the Imperial Valley, which would send hundreds of megawatts of clean energy to San Diego via the Sunrise Powerlink.

CASP Tells USDA to End the Delay

The five co-chairs of the Community Alliance for the Sunrise Powerlink have sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to take an active role in approval of the Sunrise Powerlink.

Editorial Calls for End to Lawsuits

The Imperial Valley Press has published a compelling editorial calling for an end to the numerous lawsuits being filed against the approved Sunrise Powerlink transmission line, saying that the suits only delay planned renewable energy projects that will spur economic development and create jobs in Imperial County. The editorial comes on the heels of efforts by regional elected officials and business leaders urging top-level federal officials to approve the Sunrise Powerlink.

Milestone Solar Plant Opens in Peoria

The first commercial application of Tessera Solar's "Suncatcher" Stirling solar dish, which will one day provide much of the electricity carried over SDG&E's approved Sunrise Powerlink transmission line, has been unveiled in Peoria, Arizona.

The Arizona plant will generate 1.5 megawatts (MW) of solar energy from 60 SunCatcher Stirling dishes. Tessera plans to start mass-producing the dishes for a planned 750MW solar farm in Imperial County. That energy will be carried by the Sunrise Powerlink to SDG&E customers in San Diego.

Secretary Salazar Recognized

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has announced Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar as recipient of a 2009 National Solar Energy Champion Award, citing his tireless leadership to spur clean energy infrastructure development, create jobs, combat climate change and harness our nation's vast solar resources.

"Throughout his first year in office, Secretary Salazar has worked with the industry, the environmental community and the general public to expedite the construction of these cutting-edge power plants that will not only bring clean energy to the Southwest, but will also create tens of thousands of jobs. As we declared in the Solar Bill of Rights, the solar industry has the right to equal access to public lands and the right to interconnect to a 21st Century transmission grid. We look forward to working with Secretary Salazar on these important policies in 2010."

Last March, Secretary Salazar signed an order to make the production, development and delivery of renewable energy a top priority for the Interior Department. This order also created a task force that will prioritize transmission rights-of-way applications necessary to deliver clean energy generated in the solar-rich American Southwest to population centers around the country to meet growing energy demands.

President Obama Touts Investments in America's Clean Energy Future

In his recent State of the union address, President Obama noted advancements in clean energy technologies last year and stressed that innovation in this industry must continue. Here's a snippet of what he had to say about clan energy:

"And no area is more ripe for such innovation than energy. You can see the results of last year's investments in clean energy - in the North Carolina company that will create 1,200 jobs nationwide helping to make advanced batteries; or in the California business that will put a thousand people to work making solar panels.

But to create more of these clean energy jobs, we need more production, more efficiency, more incentives. And that means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country. (Applause.) It means making tough decisions about opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development. (Applause.) It means continued investment in advanced biofuels and clean coal technologies. (Applause.) And, yes, it means passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill with incentives that will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy in America. (Applause.)

I am grateful to the House for passing such a bill last year. (Applause.) And this year I'm eager to help advance the bipartisan effort in the Senate. (Applause.)

I know there have been questions about whether we can afford such changes in a tough economy. I know that there are those who disagree with the overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change. But here's the thing -- even if you doubt the evidence, providing incentives for energy-efficiency and clean energy are the right thing to do for our future - because the nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy. And America must be that nation. (Applause.)"

Sunrise Powerlink Moving Forward

The Sunrise Powerlink is closer than ever to bringing clean, renewable energy to San Diego and reducing our dependence on outdated, fossil fuel-burning power plants that emit greenhouse gases that can lead to climate change.

Last Hurdle for the Powerlink

Two of the more pressing questions facing our country today are: How do we create quality jobs, and how do we develop a sustainable future for our children? The answer to both can be found in the Sunrise Powerlink, the only electric transmission line approved in recent years that is designed specifically to deliver clean, renewable power.

Sunrise Receives Two Favorable Decisions

Contrary to today's article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, supporters of the Sunrise Powerlink received two very positive rulings this week. First, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) reaffirmed its December 2008 vote to approve the line in a decision released this past Monday.

Take Action Now to Support the Sunrise Powerlink!

Plans for the Sunrise Powerlink are well underway. Construction should begin early next year, and the line is scheduled to be in service by 2012. However, to keep this schedule, we need your help to clear one more major hurdle.

Sunrise Lawsuit Shows Hypocrisy of Opponents

Earlier this week, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) filed a lawsuit protesting the approval of the Sunrise Powerlink. The lawsuit clearly shows the hypocrisy of CBD in trying to stop a transmission line project that would deliver clean, renewable energy to our region.

Bureau of Land Management Approves Sunrise Powerlink

The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today signed a Record of Decision (ROD) approving the Sunrise Powerlink transmission line. The Community Alliance for the Sunrise Powerlink (CASP) was pleased with the BLM action that provides the primary federal authorization of the power line.

SDG&E gets permission to cross federal land

In a widely anticipated decision, a U.S. Bureau of Land Management official agreed Tuesday to let San Diego Gas & Electric Co. put more than 50 miles of its 123-mile Sunrise Powerlink high-voltage transmission line on federal land.

State regulators okay powerlink

The California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday cleared the way for construction of the Sunrise Powerlink, a contentious transmission line that promises to bring more reliable and renewable power from the Imperial Valley to San Diego.

State gives green light to SDG&E power line

State regulators Thursday gave a local utility the green light to build one of the largest construction projects in San Diego County history - a $1.9 billion, high-voltage transmission line that was sold as a tool for moving the region to a green future.

California regulators approve $1.9 billion power line

California regulators on Thursday approved a $1.9 billion high-voltage power line, giving a major victory to the San Diego utility that says it needs the transmission route to harness solar, wind and underground heat from a distant desert.

Sunrise Powerlink transmission line OK

The California Public Utilities Commission's decision to approve the Sunrise Powerlink transmission line was the "grand finale" in a four-year-long process, county Supervisor Wally Leimgruber said.

Powerlink Moves into Final Phase

Two decisions on San Diego Gas & Electric's (SDG&E) Sunrise Powerlink transmission line have been released, setting the stage for a final vote by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in December.

Green energy future hinges on Sunrise Powerlink

By the end of this year, San Diego County residents will have a better sense about what type of energy will power our future. The state is nearing a decision on the Sunrise Powerlink, the proposed transmission line that's been under review for nearly three years.

Chula Vista mayor links Sunrise to bay front

Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox on Wednesday touted the benefits of a controversial energy project, saying that its construction would ease Chula Vista's energy producing burden.

Latest Sunrise Powerlink Display Outrages Regional Leaders

Outraged by yet another bureaucratic delay, a group of regional elected officials, community leaders and green energy developers gathered in front of the South Bay Power Plant in Chula Vista yesterday to let state officials know they are tired of waiting for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to make a decision on the Sunrise Powerlink transmission line.

Public still has say in Powerlink

The recent editorial titled "Energy giant's ad blitz missing mark" on the proposed Sunrise Powerlink transmission line could engender a sense of apathy in the community rather than encourage people to get involved and voice their opinion.

The missing - Sunrise Power - link

Like a western noontime showdown on Main Street, the illusory bad guys are facing imaginary white-hat foes, and with guns ablazing, only good will emerge. Well, that's supposedly how it was done in the old days with six-shooters.

Sunrise Powerlink Update - We’re Getting Closer

Only a few major milestones are left before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) renders a decision on the Sunrise Powerlink. Today, final arguments on why the power line is still the best choice for delivering reliable, affordable and green power to our region will be submitted to the CPUC.

South Bay Elected Officials Urge SANDAG to Support Sunrise Powerlink in Advance of Critical Vote

The key to removing the South bay Power Plant from Chula Vista's bayfront and paving the way for economic development is to support the planned Sunrise Powerlink transmission line, a group of elected leaders from the South Bay said today.

Campaign launched to promote power line

An advertising and public relations campaign financed by San Diego Gas & Electric Co. to promote its proposed $1.5 billion Sunrise Powerlink transmission line was launched Tuesday just days before crucial public hearings on the proposal.

Ad Campaign for the Sunrise Powerlink Unveiled

The Community Alliance for the Sunrise Powerlink is launching a $45,000 advertising campaign April 1 in support of the proposed transmission line, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce officials said March 31.

State, Federal Study Confirms Sunrise Powerlink Best Energy Solution for Region

The Community Alliance for the Sunrise Powerlink today applauded the selection of the Sunrise Powerlink by key state and federal agencies as the environmentally superior option for providing much-needed reliable and renewable energy for San Diego.

Flawed Energy Study Reinforces Why Sunrise Powerlink is Best Choice

A flawed energy report released today suggests that the best way for the region to solve its energy problems is for hundreds of thousands of home and business owners to voluntarily install solar panels on their roofs at an estimated cost of $27,000 each (pg. 41 of San Diego Smart Energy 2020).

Energy Report Reaction: Sunrise Powerlink Needed More than Ever

One day after the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) released a major study detailing transmission grid deficiencies in San Diego and throughout Southern California, local leaders are saying the case has never been stronger for the Sunrise Powerlink project.

Sunrise Powerlink: Clean Power for a Clean Bayfront

It was a historic moment March 14th when the San Diego Port Commission voted to foreclose on plans to develop a new power plant on Chula Vista's bay front and ignite a golden age for South Bay that will no doubt create economic development opportunities and new open space areas.

Community Alliance for the Sunrise Powerlink Urges CPUC to Move Swiftly

The Community Alliance for the Sunrise Powerlink called on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today to approve San Diego Gas & Electric's Sunrise Powerlink transmission line as quickly as possible in light of a recent declaration by the federal government that San Diego is in one of the two weakest and most congested energy corridors in the U.S.

Labor, elected officials voice support

Several labor leaders and elected officials voiced their support Thursday morning for a controversial $1.2 billion transmission line that would traverse 150 miles of San Diego and Imperial counties.

Region’s Mayors Call on State to Expedite Sunrise Powerlink Approval

A day before state regulators visit San Diego County to hold the first public hearing on the Sunrise Powerlink, nine San Diego and Orange County mayors have written a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) calling for an accelerated review of the transmission line to ensure it can be approved and in-service by 2010.

Community Alliance for the Sunrise Powerlink Calls on Elected Officials to Support Power Line Project

The Community Alliance for the Sunrise Powerlink is mailing out 106 letters this week, urging every elected official in San Diego County to support the much-needed power line project that will bring reliable, renewable and affordable power to San Diego.

Business, labor both backing Powerlink

Anyone who has walked outside recently knows that words like "sweltering" and "blistering" are no longer sufficient to describe the weather.

Bioscience, labor groups back power line

Amid growing energy supply concerns, three San Diego organizations joined to support San Diego Gas & Electric Co.'s planned Sunrise Powerlink, a 120-mile electric transmission line stretching from the Imperial Valley to San Diego.

Local Business, Labor and Biotech Leaders Launch "Community Alliance for the Sunrise Powerlink"

Focused on the need for reliable and clean energy to power a growing region, three high-profile San Diego organizations have banded together to support San Diego Gas & Electric's planned Sunrise Powerlink, a 120-mile electric transmission line stretching from the Imperial Valley to San Diego.

Gore: U.S. has lost its lead in solar, wind technology

As American administrations have blown hot and cold, the country has lost its lead in solar energy technology and is turning to foreign manufacturers for its wind turbines, Al Gore said in a recent interview.

Interior Secretary details solar energy projects in the pipeline

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar spoke recently on five solar energy developments that the department is fasttracking for construction.

President Obama approves plan making it easier to build transmission lines on federal lands

Obama Administration officials have released a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by nine Federal Departments and Agencies to make it faster and simpler to build transmission lines on Federal lands.

Fertile ground for joblessness - Imperial County’s 25% rate is highest in U.S.

In the 102 years since Imperial County broke away from San Diego County, the area has become synonymous with sand dunes, the shrinking Salton Sea, crops that feed the nation -- and a stunning level of unemployment.

Deepening woes for the Imperial Valley

The Imperial Valley is accustomed to the spectral look of failure: Houses around the Salton Sea have been abandoned for decades; the Planters Hotel in Brawley stood empty for years before it was destroyed by fire; Main Street in El Centro, the Imperial County seat, remains stubbornly vacancy-pocked.

Fertile ground for joblessness - Imperial County's 25% rate is highest in U.S.

In the 102 years since Imperial County broke away from San Diego County, the area has become synonymous with sand dunes, the shrinking Salton Sea, crops that feed the nation -- and a stunning level of unemployment.