Monday, March 14, 2011

SUNRISE POWERLINK: SEMPRA'S COSTA AZUL LNG


Sempra's "Foreign Fossil Fuel Corridor" also known as the Sunrise Powerlink 500KV transmission line : connecting Sempra's foreign, polluting natural gas via the electrical grid- to monopolize the Greater Los Angeles market.  The Sunrise Powerlink is NOT for San Diego - the Sunrise Powerlink has NO "renewables" or "green" energy.
From San Diego Smart Energy -
www.sdsmartenergy.org


SEMPRA'S GREATER LOS ANGELES ELECTRIC GRID MONOPOLY + SEMPRA'S FORCED FOREIGN ENERGY DEPENDENCE = SEMPRA'S SUNRISE POWERLINK + SEMPRA'S Termoelectrica de Mexicali + Sempra's Natural Gas Pipelines + SEMPRA'S COSTA AZUL LNG TERMINAL & PORT (ENSENADA) + LNG Shipping Tankers + SAKHALIN, RUSSIA, NEW GUINEA


CHENEY-BUSH UNLAWFULLY AUTHORIZES SEMPRA'S (SDGE) SUNRISE POWERLINK 500 KV AS "IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST" (PRESIDENTIAL PERMIT), TO ALLOW SEMPRA (via SDG&E) TO FREELY SEIZE AND STEAL CALIFORNIA'S PUBLIC & PRIVATE LAND - AND ALSO TO AID AND ABET SEMPRA'S PLAN TO MONOPOLIZE THE GREATER LOS ANGELES GRID WITH FOREIGN, POLLUTING, UNNEEDED, EXPENSIVE ENERGY - (SEMPRA'S NATURAL GAS FROM RUSSIA AND INDONESIA- SHIPPED & STORED IN ENSENADA, BAJA).
Sempra's Sunrise Powerlink's TRUE purpose:
Sempra: Exporting Pollution - Greenpeace - Corpwatch:
Sempra's Sunrise Powerlink - Bush Energy Policy - the true story:
BP & Sempra (two of a kind) in partnership to ship foreign LNG to Costa Azul
June 2, 2011 USA Natural Gas Glut...USA exporting its natural gas to other countries:http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/34fbf112-8d39-11e0-bf23-00144feab49a.html#axzz1RjxUxI6X
Sempra's Costa Azul LNG (Sunrise Powerlink 500KV via Sempra's Termoelectrica de Mexicali)--costs more than double compared to USA domestic LNG :

In 2004, Sempra/SDG&E's Sunrise Powerlink was marketed and understood to be the "California Phase" of Sempra's plan to carry (via California's electrical grid) their foreign LNG from Sempra's Costa Azul storage plants in Ensenada-through Sempra's Mexicali gas fired electricity generating plant (Termoelectrica de Mexicali), in Baja. 

THE SUNRISE POWERLINK 500KV Bush/Cheney "PRESIDENTIAL PERMIT" CONTAINS NO MENTION OR CONSIDERATION OF ANY "RENEWABLE ENERGY". Sunrise Powerlink's highly touted but never in writing "false promise" of renewable energy was only an afterthought - to gain public support - Sempra never had any intention of ever using the Powerlink for anything but delivery of their foreign sourced electricity from overseas, stored in Baja (Costa Azul LNG) - to monopolize the Los Angeles grid.

Sempra Energy's CEO, Debra Reed - is also on the Board of Directors of HALLIBURTON. .  Under ex VP-Cheney's rule, Halliburton committed many crimes against humanity -with no-bid $BILLION contracts in Iraq, negligent concrete construction that caused the Deep Horizon BP Spill, bribery in Nigeria,. Sempra Energy tactics mirror Halliburton. 

Sempra CEO Reed - replaces Donald Felsinger...although she has been involved with Sempra for years as CEO for San Diego Gas & Electric..a Sempra subsidiary and utility monopoly.  Now it becomes clear how Sempra managed to get the unlawful Sunrise Powerlink endorsement by ex-VP Cheney. Cheney was known for not following US protocol -a necessary democratic step to get projects such as Sempra's Sunrise Powerlink & Sempra's Costa Azul LNG approved. Cheney would bypass government checks & balances, committees, votes & analysis...and call directly on lower level government agency workers- overwhelming them and easily gaining their loyalty...Cheney was just doing a "favor" for one of his Halliburton cronies (Reed)...regardless of the devastating impact it would cause to the economy, the environment, and our legacy for progressive self reliance.
Halliburton: Corporate Crimes: http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=275
Cheney's "favors":

Sempra/ SDG&E's Sunrise Powerlink is NOT, and has NEVER been "of National Interest" as the Sempra-friendly Bush administration allowed. In fact, the Sunrise Powerlink would be an unnecessary, expensive DETRIMENT (of national dis-interest), creating an unfair monopoly, exclusively for Sempra, of the Los Angeles market. Sempra Energy is a global company, with a history of market manipulation and other high crimes against the United States.


Top chart: The highest orange line =Sempra's
Costa Azul LNG @ highest price/cost.
The lowest blue line = Current USA domestic LNG
price/cost.
USA domestic natural gas is at an all time glut- there is over-production - US domestic natural gas is much cheaper - US domestic natural gas carries a 25% LESS GHG (greenhouse gas) burden. Major corporations are currently tearing up our National Parks and BLM lands drilling massive quantities of natural gas in the USA.



Financial Times: June, 2011 -US Natural Gas Glut - USA is shipping LNG to other countries - to drive up domestic prices:

On June 1, 2011: "In a memo to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Bob Abbey, Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar today confirmed that, pursuant to the 2011 Continuing Resolution, the BLM will not designate any lands as "Wild Lands." Thus opening up America's "not" wild lands to even more natural gas drilling....If these companies are going to take away all of our public lands - then at least California should be "buying" this over-produced US domestic natural gas (domestic is much cheaper than Sempra's foreign LNG anyway)! Sempra's Bush/Cheney authorized foreign natural gas monopoly (Sunrise Powerlink - for the Los Angeles grid, no less), would compete and overrule our own US domestic natural gas companies!

AN OUTRAGEOUS INJUSTICE - THOUGHTLESS!
The people of California would have to pay $BILLIONS and the USA domestic natural gas industry would lose $BILLIONS -- for this foreign Sempra/SDG&E lie!
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Sempra's Sunrise Powerlink 500KV cuts thru
some of the highest rated wild fire areas
in California..500KV lines conduct (ignite fires)
when in contact w/mist or smoke..
Add caption
The Sunrise Powerlink is a 120 mile, 500KV fire starting transmission line cutting through the heart of the highest rated fire risk area in the state of California; permanently destroying thousands of acres of San Diego County's public and private land; designated wildlife corridors; our Cleveland National Forest land; depleting San Diego County's groundwater supply that people, wildlife, flora = the entire back country is dependent on; depleting the city of San Diego's rationed tap water supply; as well as seizing and ruining thousands of homes, ranches and businesses.


Sunrise Powerlink extreme fire danger to San Diego County: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/3284
Sempra/SDG&E seizing over 300,000 gallons per day from San Diego's rationed tap water- just to spray down dust on their private construction sites: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/may/25/sdge-project-soaks-up-scarce-tap-water/
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The Sunrise Powerlink has NOTHING to do with the utility, SDG&E (San Diego Gas & Electric).  The Sunrise Powerlink is not for San Diego, will not carry any electricity for San Diego, and will not carry any renewable energy for San Diego. 

The only "energy" Sempra/SDG&E's Sunrise Powerlink 500KV transmission line will deliver to San Diego?...WILDFIRES and skyrocketing SDG&E utility bills!!!
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The Sunrise Powerlink is strictly a Sempra Corporation project - but, by using their own regulated public utility, SDG&E; misleading, deceiving and false information; and of course, tens of millions of dollars of ratepayer's own money for false advertising & targeted "donations" to those willing to justify a lie for a bribe, and deny justice to the innocent---Sempra's Sunrise Powerlink was approved. Based on a foundation of false information, the Sunrise Powerlink was "sold" as a necessary transmission line for San Diego's proposed "renewable energy" (all have proven to be FALSE). By using the cover of the Sempra owned utility, SDG&E - Sempra was not only able to monopolize and overcharge customers with foreign, polluting energy, but, Sempra Energy forced California ratepayers to pay for ALL infrastructure - even its Billion Dollar loser Costa Azul LNG in Mexico!!...
Sempra using SDG&E to gain unlawful market monopoly, favoritism:
Sempra's Costa Azul LNG Bad for California (written BEFORE USA - domestic LNG glut):
Bush and his Energy Policy unlawful "National Interest" designation for Sunrise Powerlink- to carry foreign LNG sourced electricity and LA monopoly: http://www.calitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3496
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The $2-3 BILLION (California ratepayer's burden), Sunrise Powerlink's ONLY purpose is to carry Sempra's polluting, unneeded, expensive, loser FOREIGN natural gas (via Sempra's gas-fired electricity generating plant in Baja- Termoelectrica de Mexicali) through San Diego to the Greater Los Angeles electricity grid.  Sempra's ultimate goal is to create an oppressive monopoly-- to control and manipulate the Los Angeles market.  Sempra (through their own subsidiary SDG&E), has already manipulated the San Diego market with an unfair, detrimental, oppressive monopoly.
Schwarzenegger, Kenneth Lay, Bush/Cheney, Sempra, Enron, hotel room: http://www.alternet.org/story/16902
Sempra, energy crisis, Sempra's $9 BILLION heist, market manipulation:
Sempra's Costa Azul "hot gas" carries a 25% greater "pollution" burden than domestic:
The Sunrise Powerlink is Supported and Approved by a Few Politicians (all have received "donations" from Sempra/SDG&E); Semi-Political Organizations (receives money from Sempra/SDG&E- such as Chambers of Commerce, Labor Boards) as well as Subsidiaries and Affiliates of Sempra Energy.
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The Sunrise Powerlink is Opposed by the People of San Diego; Proven Experts on Energy; All Respected Environmental Organizations; Renewable Energy Advocates, Consumer Groups, Scientists/Scholars in the fields of Economics, Environment and Energy.
http://truthsayer-esther.blogspot.com/p/opponents-of-sunrise-powerlink-list-and.html
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Even Sempra and SDG&E's most prized possession: Ex-Governor Schwarzenegger, admitted " We do not need the Sunrise Powerlink transmission lines."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zolMVpgEgts&sns=fb
http://ramonasentinel.com/printFriendly.cfm?articleID=18459
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WHO SHOULD WE BELIEVE?  SEMPRA ENERGY/SDG&E ?- GUILTY OF MARKET MANIPULATION OF NATURAL GAS - ARTIFICIAL CONGESTION ON SAN DIEGO'S EXISTING POWERLINES (FAKE BLACKOUTS), PRICE GOUGING, PRICE FIXING, FRAUD, BRIBERY, USING RATEPAYERS MONEY FOR PERSONAL "PALACES", FATAL WILDFIRES, LYING, MISLEADING, MISREPRESENTATION, OMISSION, HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION...OVER $800 MILLION IN FINES FOR CRIMES...?

SEMPRA'S MASTER PLAN OF LNG DOMINATION FAILS
In 1999 - 2000 Sempra's master plan was to achieve complete domination and monopolization of the natural gas market for the entire western United States. Sempra's plan fell flat on its face as USA natural gas production reached a glut - prices were cheap, and there was plenty of domestic natural gas. Additionally, speculators later determined that if anything - natural gas usage was leveling off and the need for Sempra's imported natural gas would be non-existent.
1. Gold, R. (2009, February 8). Bad call. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 4, 2009, from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123378467642449289.html.

SEMPRA TAMPERED / INTERFERED IN BAJA'S 2007 ELECTION
Sempra's internal document contains strategic actions to intervene in the 2007 BAJA elections THESE ACTIONS ARE IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE MEXICAN CONSTITUTION AND ITS LAWS!  Sempra's 2007 Strategies to achieve approval for installation of the illegal, dangerous Costa Azul Terminal in Ensenada:  Target, Corrupt, Silence and Remove every person, political-government, social, cultural, media, environmental--IMPEDIMENT.  This marketing plan is reprehensible - Sempra's Costa Azul Terminal was so bad, and such an environmental, public health and safety disaster - that Sempra had to infiltrate and corrupt government officials, deceive the public and media with promises of jobs and money, and refuse (as well as bribe) to comply with any environmental, cultural, archeological, safety regulations and laws in Mexico. 

This "trademark" Sempra strategy was also used in the United States, especially California, to force approval of expensive, polluting, unneeded, destructive projects like the Sunrise Powerlink in San Diego county- a 500KV 120 mile transmission line that Sempra hopes to connect to their loser Costa Azul LNG electricity source in Mexicali, ultimately for Los Angeles...costing $BILLIONS -all at ratepayers and US taxpayers expense.
Sempra's 2007 Official Marketing Strategy:  http://es.scribd.com/doc/51092594/Estrategia-Sempra-2007
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fla-ch.com%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D7672%253Apersonal-de-sempra-energy-interviene-en-procesos-elctorales-en-baja-california%26catid%3D42%253Ageneral%26Itemid%3D62


SEMPRA'S IMPORTED COSTA AZUL NATURAL GAS THAT NOBODY WANTS OR NEEDS
Sempra now sits on imported natural gas, stored in Ensenada, shipped from countries without any care to the indigenous people or their environment...that NOBODY wants!  Rather than save the baby and throw out the bathwater -- Sempra chose unwisely -- Sempra saved the dirty bathwater: imported LNG - and threw out the baby - all the innocent people and their environments of California, Baja, Russia, New Guinea and beyond.
http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=3034


THE PEOPLE FORCED TO PAY FOR SEMPRA'S STUPID MISTAKES
In the meantime, Sempra was able to conspire with the CPUC and "reversed the flow" of all San Diego's domestic-sourced natural gas lines and switched over to Sempra's Costa Azul LNG. "Reversing the flow" cost California ratepayers ..$200 MILLION. Sempra also had the CPUC authorize offloading the ENTIRE cost (raising the ratebase) of Costa Azul-terminals, ports, storage, pipelines, Termoelectrica de Mexicali...to California ratepayers...at least $900 MILLION. Sempra and the CPUC charge US taxpayers (through the US Export Credit Agency) the entire cost of extracting this unneeded natural gas from Russia and Indonesia.
http://www.energybulletin.net/print/5319
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3Ad7gyYHzRi8UJ%3Awww.pacificenvironment.org%2Fdownloads%2FLNG+-+Oregon.ppt+people+united+against+sempra+energy+lng+exports&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us 


SEMPRA/SDG&E & THE CPUC FORCE EXPENSIVE IMPORTED COSTA AZUL LNG ON SAN DIEGO
Sempra and the CPUC also connected San Diego's 500KV Southwest Powerline to Sempra's Termoelectrica de Mexicali (natural gas fired electricity generating plant). This plant receives all of its natural gas from Costa Azul imported LNG..and one of the reasons why San Diego ratepayers (SDG&E) pay some of the highest rates in the country.  Sempra/SDG&E's environmental and economic disaster, the Sunrise Powerlink, a 500KV transmission line would also connect to Sempra's Costa Azul electricity sources in Mexicali (Baja) - and would ultimately connect to Sempra's preferred Los Angeles market (SDG&E & Sempra claim to the media that the Powerlink is for San Diego (SDG&E customers)...an absolute lie!)  http://www.basinandrangewatch.org/sunrise_powerlink_history.pdf
http://www.energybulletin.net/print/5319


SEMPRA/SDG&E LIES TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF SUNRISE POWERLINK
Sempra and their imported Costa Azul LNG is considered a loser, a has been, an also ran. Sempra's greatest supporter is...well, Sempra, using ratepayer's money, Sempra has flooded San Diego's media with "donations", "perks", advertising in exchange for touting the Sunrise Powerlink as "green, renewable energy" (WHICH IT IS NOT BY ANY MEANS)..This is Sempra's last and only chance of forcing the Sunrise Powerlink (carrying Costa Azul sourced electricity) through San Diego's East County, at ratepayers expense, ultimately to infect Los Angeles..Because nobody wants expensive, polluting, unAmerican, imported Costa Azul LNG.  In actuality, there is not one "renewable energy" project claimed by Sempra or SDG&E that truly is dependent on the construction and operation of the Sunrise Powerlink - not one! Sempra has to make up the phony "green energy" lie -otherwise, Sempra and the Sunrise Powerlink would have been kicked to the curb long ago - as it should have been!
1. Gold, R. (2009, February 8). Bad call. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 4, 2009, from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123378467642449289.html.
http://www.basinandrangewatch.org/sunrise_powerlink_history.pdf 

SEMPRA AND SDG&E LIES TO THE PUBLIC THAT THE SUNRISE POWERLINK IS NEEDED TO MEET SDG&E's "RENEWABLE ENERGY PORTFOLIO"
Sempra and SDG&E have whined and cried to the public that the reason they did not meet the 2011 deadline for California mandated 20% renewable energy portfolio - is the need for the construction and operation of the Sunrise Powerlink---this is an absolute lie - false - fraud.  The EIR (environmental impact report) and even SDG&E VP Avery (among many others) repeatedly state that there is MORE than enough capacity on San Diego's existing Southwest Powerline.  The fact is, SDG&E swore that San Diego's Southwest Powerline was needed for their "renewable energy portfolio"...the amount of "renewables" SDG&E has added to the Southwest Powerline? = ZERO.  There is more than enough capacity on San Diego's Southwest Powerline for ALL of SDG&E/Sempra's alleged "renewable projects"...the Southwest Powerline is in clear view of the Sunrise Powerlink!  SDG&E and Sempra's claims and cries about the need for Sunrise Powerlink makes NO SENSE!..."And if it doesn't make sense - then it's not true", Judge Judy.
http://truthsayer-esther.blogspot.com/p/we-do-not-need-sunrise-powerlink-for.html


SUNRISE POWERLINK WILL CAUSE UTILITY BILLS TO SKYROCKET FOR 40 YEARS
What the public does not know - is that the Sunrise Powerlink (basically Sempra's only and last chance to sell this bad, imported LNG), will cost California plenty...rates will skyrocket, not just for the $2-3 BILLION cost that ratepayers will be forced to pay for construction of this firestarting dinosaur - but Sempra's imported (Russia, Indonesia), LNG costs much more and carries a 25% greater greenhouse gas burden than San Diego's regular domestic supply, that San Diego ratepayers used to enjoy...before Sempra, SDG&E and the CPUC.  " The Powerlink will cost ratepayers approximately $10 BILLION over 40 years.  This money will be made regardless of whether a single kilowatt hour of electricity EVER moves across the line" from Dianne Jacob, San Diego County Supervisor, 2nd District.  SDG&E has filed a request with the CPUC for a $1.8 BILLION rate hike against its San Diego customers - and this would be on top of the major rate hikes expected for the Powerlink!
http://www.diannejacob.com/journal11winter.pdf
http://www.ucan.org/energy/electricity/general_rate_case_2012/general_rate_case_2011

CALIFORNIA & SAN DIEGO ECONOMIES SUFFER AS SEMPRA FORCES (UNNEEDED-POLLUTING-EXPENSIVE- FOREIGN) COSTA AZUL LNG VIA SUNRISE POWERLINK TO LOS ANGELES MARKETS
As California's economy continues to suffer, many people losing their jobs, cut-backs to all social services, education, health, foreclosures, homelessness, US service veterans...And here comes Sempra and SDG&E, an unchecked monopoly, willing to burden struggling, hard-working people with an expensive foreign lie that will be devastating to California's economy and cost innocent people (ratepayers - US taxpayers) for the next 40 years...just for the greed and ignorance of one corporation!

RUBEN BARRILLO, SAN DIEGO'S REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT, WILL FOREVER REGRET THE LETTER "HE" (obviously dictated by SDG& E/ Sempra) WROTE TO THE SAN DIEGO TRIBUNE:
Letter written to SignOn OpEd, March 13, 2011 -- We have taken the liberty to translate his letter and reveal the TRUTH - line by line...

The Powerlink is important to local economy...FALSE- IT WILL RAISE ALL OUR RATES AT LEAST 20% some say as much as 35% - devastating to our economy!

I strongly support SDG&E’s construction of the Sunrise Powerlink. It is vital to transfer reliable, renewable energy to San Diego....FALSE-- THE LINE IS NOT EVEN FOR SAN DIEGO IT'S FOR LOS ANGELES- THE LINE WILL CARRY UNRELIABLE IMPORTED, POLLUTING LNG STORED IN BAJA - EXTRACTED AND SHIPPED FROM RUSSIA & INDONESIA. 

The demonstrators picketing at Sempra headquarters March 8 do not speak for all San Diegans....TRUE --THE DEMONSTRATORS SPEAK FOR ALL PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED HUGE "DONATIONS" NOR HAVE TIES TO SDG&E. such as Ruben Barrillo, President, Regional San Diego Chamber of Commerce

To keep our economy competitive and to create jobs, ...FALSE - THE POWERLINK WILL DEVASTATE SAN DIEGO ECONOMY WITH SKYROCKETING SDG&E UTILITY BILLS - FEWER THAN 500 CONTRACT JOBS FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS- MOST EMPLOYEES ARE SHIPPED TO SAN DIEGO FROM OUT OF TOWN.

we need to keep the power flowing -- FALSE --THERE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH CAPACITY ON OUR EXISTING SOUTHWEST POWERLINE - SAN DIEGO USAGE IS DROPPING, IMPORTED LNG IS NOT NEEDED IN THE USA.

To maintain our quality of life, we need to make sure the lights come on when we flip the switch. FALSE- -WE ARE ALREADY HOOKED UP TO SEMPRA'S EXPENSIVE POLLUTING UNRELIABLE FOREIGN COSTA AZUL LNG..THAT'S ONE REASON WHY WE PAY THE HIGHEST RATES IN THE COUNTRY (San Diego's Southwest Powerline - all San Diego natural gas pipelines)

As a society, we must take proactive steps to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and cut greenhouse gas emissions by using more energy from clean, green sources. FALSE-- TO ALLOW SUNRISE POWERLINK WOULD INCREASE GREENHOUSE GAS (SEMPRA'S IMPORTED LNG CARRIES 25% HIGHER GHG THAN OUR DOMESTIC LNG) AND MAINTAIN SAN DIEGO'S AND LOS ANGELES DEPENDENCE ON FOSSIL FUELS - SEMPRA'S FOREIGN NATURAL GAS FROM COSTA AZUL . (I don't think SDG&E knows that natural gas IS a fossil fuel)

We need such projects to ensure we leave future generations with a healthy economy and environment. FALSE-- FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL STILL BE PAYING SDG&E AND SEMPRA 40 YEARS FROM NOW- THE POLLUTING SOURCES WILL COMPOUND GLOBAL WARMING - FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL NEVER SEE THE BEAUTY, WILDLIFE, HABITATS, WATER, THAT SDG&E WOULD PERMANENTLY DESTROY - AT OUR EXPENSE!

Ruben Barrales, President & CEO, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce -SIGNIFICANT LONG TERM TIES TO SDG&E - RECEIVES GENEROUS DONATIONS FROM SDG&E (THE DONATION MONEY COMES FROM SDG&E RATEPAYERS).

SEMPRA'S COSTA AZUL LNG-- IT'S SO 2005!  A TERRIBLE INVESTMENT TO DUMP ON CALIFORNIA - WITH NO FUTURE...AT ALL
Sempra's Costa Azul LNG is not needed in California and there is no future for Sempra's Costa Azul LNG. "USA's natural gas production has rendered imported LNG a redundant, obsolete, and more expensive version of what North America already has plenty of. The U.S. Department of Energy concluded that total natural gas imports would shrink from 16% in 2007 to a mere 3% by 2030, a scenario that will render all of North America's (including Sempra's Costa Azul LNG) terminals to mothball status."
Sempra's imported Costa Azul LNG = prognosis is GRIM
From Pacific Environment:
http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=3034
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123378467642449289.html.
"As a result, the same agencies and publications that once trumpeted LNG as a necessary salve “to keep the lights on” in California and in North America are now doubling back on themselves, and concluding the opposite. According to a joint... presentation of the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Energy Commission in December 2008, “significant deliveries” to Costa Azul are unlikely in the near term." ..." Wall Street Journal reported that the conventional wisdom on the need for LNG “blew it,” and that “companies that bought into the earlier vision (Sempra), of soaring imports and strings of new terminals went from being Wall Street darlings to also-rans.”.. from 2009 Pacific Environment
= SEMPRA ENERGY - SDG&E
Much of the hype around the need for LNG came in the wake of the 2000–2001 energy crisis (Sempra Energy), when rampant speculation and manipulation (Sempra Energy) led to wild price spikes for electricity and natural gas, especially in California (Sempra Energy). Some in the LNG industry (Sempra Energy) seized upon this to begin the myth that the price spikes were caused by a shortage of natural gas (Sempra Energy /SDG&E).
*** Since this 2009 article, the Bradwood Oregon LNG project that would have received Costa Azul LNG has "died". Investors withdrew $100 MILLION and the project has been cancelled permanently.
NOTES From Pacific Environment:
1. Gold, R. (2009, February 8). Bad call. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 4, 2009, from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123378467642449289.html.

Feb 10, 2011- Additionally, Sempra Energy (SRE) Chairman and CEO Donald E Felsinger sells 150,000 Sempra Shares @ $53.80 per share. ($8 million)

Sempra "re-exports" LNG out of their Energia Costa Azul plant-- there is not enough end users (takers) in the well-stocked Western United States ..1/7/2011 from Reuters:
Sempra reduces output from their Termoelectrica Mexicali plant...12/12/10 from Bloomberg:

SEMPRA'S USES THE SAME OLD- TIRED- USED- "RENEWABLE ENERGY" LIE FROM THE SOUTHWEST POWERLINE
In fact, 25 years ago, SDG&E swore that construction of San Diego's Southwest Powerline was necessary for all their "renewable energy" projects...the number of renewable projects SDG&E/Sempra built so far for the Southwest Transmission line - ZERO.

Sempra/SDG&E does not own a single original thought...Sunrise Powerlink's main selling points are exactly the same as San Diego's existing Southwest Powerlink...with the the same results...no renewable energy, and connection to polluting foreign energy sources. Twenty-five years ago, the selling points for the Southwest Powerlink were energy reliability, independence from foreign fuels, and at least a nod toward renewable geothermal energy. Unfortunately, none of those promised benefits occurred. While Southwest once carried as much as 200 megawatts of geothermal, that number is now below 50 megawatts, or less than 5% of the line’s capacity. Today, the Southwest Powerline carries power from (surprise), Sempra's foreign natural gas electricity generating plant in Baja (Mexicali - Termoelectrica de Mexicali), This foreign, unregulated natural gas is extracted from foreign countries such as Indonesia and Sakhalin, Russia in partnership with the criminal BP-- and shipped to Sempra's Costa Azul regasification plants in Ensenada.
"And far from being reliable, the Southwest Powerlink has gone down twice since 2003, a victim of massive wildfires in San Diego County. SDG&E’s response to the Southwest Powerlink’s failures? Build more of the same. But a coalition of community and consumer groups, environmental organizations, and energy experts believes the time is right to break the links chaining us to a centralized energy system and move forward to a decentralized, secure, renewable energy future"...from Basin and Range Watch Org.
http://www.basinandrangewatch.org/sunrise_powerlink_history.pdf

MAY 3, 2011 - The Federal Legislative Subcomittee of Mexico has charged Sempra and its Costa Azul LNG facility with gross violations of Mexican law in collusion with authorities.
Sempra's Costa Azul LNG regasification plant; a project so bad--Sempra had to lie, bribe and corrupt to gain approval. 
May 2, 2011 -From La Jornada - "Sempra violated the laws in collusion with authorities: legislative subcommittee" by Roberto Garduno.
"The decision of the subcommittee concluded that Sempra violated local and federal laws on land use, environmental protection and safeguarding the integrity of the population of the region."
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jornada.unam.mx%2F2011%2F05%2F02%2Findex.php%3Fsection%3Dpolitica&article=014n1pol

MEXICAN FEDERAL DEPUTIES CRITICIZE THE UNLAWFUL CONSTRUCTION OF SEMPRA'S COSTA AZUL LNG TERMINAL. THEY THREATEN TO CLOSE DOWN SEMPRA IF THE CASE IS CLARIFIED."
March 30, 2011 - Sempra's reaction is hostile and defensive. Sempra's standard practice of influence peddling and bribery-to hide the truth - ARE NOW WORTHLESS.  Violations have been documented by the MNC and government officials in Baja California, including former PAN governor Eugenio Elorduy.  The lawmakers warned will not reverse the determination to close the company if confirmed anomalies have been identified and documented in the past three months.
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jornada.unam.mx%2F2011%2F03%2F30%2Findex.php%3Fsection%3Dpolitica%26article%3D016n1pol

Voting at the MEXICAN Congress of the Union --Re: SEMPRA'S Costa Azul  259 votes for the CLOSURE of COSTA AZUL and support for the Mayor of Ensenada, 95 against and 5 abstentions.
To clarify..The mayor of Ensenada recently closed down Sempra's Costa Azul...due to numerous unlawful actions by Sempra, the most important reason was to PROTECT the people of Ensenada, since Sempra did not care about the extremely dangerous, volatile NATURAL GAS time bombs they built without permits, environmental reports or buffer zones. Sempra, bribes in hand, somehow managed to get the Mexican Federal government to "enforce" re-opening the Costa Azul plant; which they did -- by military force. This vote by Mexican Congress rightfully sides with the Ensenada Mayor and his decision to protect the people and the environment over some "foreign" company like Sempra. Never again will Sempra be able to hide behind Mexican government...the vote means that Sempra cannot create a house-divided in Mexico EVER AGAIN! One can only hope and pray that our USA courts and government are this honorable and thoughtful to the people and the environment they are supposed to serve!
Sempra Energy has Dirty Hands and Dirty Energy -- From Interfor, Inc.:
From 2005 Investigation: "The private intelligence agency - Interfor, based in New York, prepared a confidential report, at the request of Marathon Oil, in order to make a "discreet investigation" including information about links and connections of the former governor of Baja California, Eugenio Elorduy with Sempra Energy."
This document was distributed on the internet by Rudy Michelon, a former employee of Sempra who was fired for exposing Sempra's bribes to Mexican officials for Costa Azul LNG and for using San Diego ratepayer's money to build Sempra CEO Felsinger a decadent $17 MILLION resort for himself in Ensenada. This 2005 investigation, reveals Sempra Energy's ties to people within drug cartels, payoffs to Baja officials in the Cayman Islands and Swiss banks-- to "win" the Costa Azul project, as well as push competition out. Now we see the same mafia-style actions from Sempra/SDG&E as they attempt to force (illegal permitting, bribery, payoffs, fraud etc) the Sunrise Powerlink in San Diego to use Costa Azul LNG via Sempra's Termoelectrica de Mexicali electricity generating plant.
The actual Interfor Inc. document: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17737696/300%20res.pdf
In-depth review of Interfor document by "Ignacio" El Vigia: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?saved&&note_id=183890181646112

SEMPRA VS RUDY MICHELON: $20 MILLION CASA AZUL RESORT FOR SEMPRA CEO FELSINGER & CRONIES @ SDG&E's ratepayers expense! = $65K bar, $20K dining room table, $25K for a ceiling lamp, $400K for matching chairs ++..Sempra's Casa Azul expenses were sent to Sempra Corporate for payment...Over 1/2 the money Sempra receives as income IS SKIMMED FROM SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC (its subsidiary) RATEPAYERS.  Question: What did Rudy Michelon do that was against Sempra ? Answer: Rudy Michelon merely told the truth. 

This is what happens when US citizens are forced by politicians and the CPUC to "hire" a criminal- (Sempra/SDG&E), with a long history of crimes against the people, the government and the environment.

Despite Sempra's defensive, derogatory remarks- Rudy Michelon is a courageous, honest and noble man - with a global following of supporters and friends.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPx4fiGpjy4&feature=related
Feb 12, 2011 ENSENADA MAYOR ORDERS CLOSURE OF SEMPRA'S ENERGIA COSTA AZUL LNG :
Among the irregularities found is the lack of legal permission for land use, lack of an emergency center, civil engineering drawings and mechanical work, and the absence of risk insurance. They also noted the lack of a thermal buffer zone, the lack of a map of roads, pipelines and other infrastructure in the area of the plant.

Feb 8, 2011- The US ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, The SEC, and the FBI HAVE BEGUN TO BUILD CASES AGAINST SEMPRA ENERGY
Charges against Sempra include BRIBERY and using San Diego ratepayer's money to build Sempra's "palace"- Casa Azul (The news called it "a posh, personal playground just for the use of the Sempra CEO and his cronies); illegally evicting Sanchez Ritchie from his own property for the Energia Costa Azul LNG- with force. Other Sempra criminal charges include: falsely stating assets to increase earnings, bribing Mexican officials for permits to build Energia Costa Azul LNG, ignoring Baja's environmental and public safety laws ..no buffer zone around the dangerous LNG terminal and wrongful termination of honest employee, Mr. Rudy Michelon.


Pigs from "Animal Farm" = Sempra/ SDG&E
Feb 10, 2011 "Sempra Energy and Energia Costa Azul operates like the Worst Era of Al Capone"

U.S. Congressman (Bob Filner) noted that they have initiated a comprehensive campaign to prevent the citizens of California from consuming electricity produced in Mexico by Sempra Energy,-- which hurts the environment on both sides of the border ....from La Jornada, Roberto Garduño and Enrique Méndez http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jornada.unam.mx%2F2011%2F02%2F10%2Findex.php%3Fsection%3Dpolitica%26article%3D016n1pol

WHICH IS OUR GREATEST CONCERN ?- OUR ENVIRONMENT, OUR RENEWABLE ENERGY LEGACY, PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY, PRESERVATION OF OUR WILDLANDS & WILDLIFE, ECONOMIC FAIRNESS TO THE PEOPLE, DISABLING OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN ENERGY ------------ OR -------------FACELESS, NAMELESS, UNCARING SEMPRA & SDG&E SHAREHOLDERS??
NOTHING GOOD - CAN EVER BE CREATED FROM LIES DECEIT AND GREED.





















  































Posted by Unknown

Sunday, November 14, 2010

SUNRISE POWERLINK: DEAD MAN WALKING

WHY SEMPRA'S IMPORTED LNG (COSTA AZUL) IS WRONG FOR CALIFORNIA:

The Sunrise Powerlink would cut through
 San Diego's Cleveland National Forest
Sempra's (SDG&E) Sunrise Powerlink 500KV, an environmental and economic disaster for San Diego County and California-- would connect to Sempra's Termoelectrica de Mexicali- a natural gas electricity generating plant that receives ALL of it's LNG From Sempra's unlawful,unneeded, expensive, foreign and dangerous Energia Costa Azul LNG.

Sempra is spending millions of our dollars trying force (in partnership with the most evil BP), their very expensive, foreign, unregulated, unreliable liquified natural gas upon the people of California . Pacific Environment is one of the most respected environmental firms fighting to protect citizen's rights to live safely, economically, and to be able to pass on the Pacific Rim's historic, cultural and beautiful environment to future generations.

This natural gas from Costa Azul is extracted from foreign countries such as Indonesia and Sakhalin, Russia in partnership with the criminal BP-- and shipped to Sempra's Costa Azul regasification plants in Ensenada. This foreign natural gas is then piped all the way across Baja to Mexicali (and if everything goes according to their "scam" and California ratepayer's money), would be connected to the unbuilt and in legal-limbo (there are multiple upon multiple lawsuits filed against it)-- Sunrise Powerlink :a dangerous fire-prone 120 MILE - 500kv TRANSMISSION LINE- cutting through the east back country of San Diego through some of the highest rated fire risk areas in California.
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2009/sunrise-powerlink-01-22-2009.html
http://www.ucan.org/energy/electricity/sunrise_powerlink/ucan_files_first_many_appeals_reverse_cpucs_sunrise_powerlink_approval
http://protectourcommunities.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/forest-service-appeal-final8-27-10.pdf
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/17/judge-blocks-imperial-valley-solar-project/
http://www.nationalpolicyinstitute.org/2010/12/29/aztlan-files-suit-challenging-the-bureau-of-land-management-permitting-processes-2/
http://networkedblogs.com/dlnZ
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/02/local/la-me-electric-corridors-20110202 http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/5459
Contrary to Sempra's "in-house" media spins, Sempra's imported (Costa Azul) LNG has always received widespread negative reception throughout California and Oregon. And as always, Sempra resorts to their "trademark" marketing strategy by --lying and trying to spread "mis-information" about their imported Costa Azul LNG. Pacific Environment identifies Sempra's deceiving and false statements and presents the verified truth about imported LNG and why it is WRONG for California:

Sempra is stating that there is a domestic natural gas shortage and that Sempra's imported LNG is needed. == The Truth is there is a domestic natural gas GLUT. US natural gas prices are much cheaper - with 25% less environmental impact (greenhouse gas emissions) than Sempra's imported LNG                                                                                      Sempra states LNG is safe. == The truth is LNG is extremely volatile
Sempra states that LNG is a clean energy source and has little impact on global warming. ==The truth is extracting, shipping, processing, chilling and converting Sempra's foreign natural gas are major sources of global greenhouse gases.                                                                                     Sempra states LNG is cheap and will lower power bills. ==The truth is it will increase all of California's utility bills by at least 10%, an unnecessary economic burden to the people of California
Sempra states that LNG will create jobs. ==The truth is very few temporary and a few highly specialized jobs only.
Sempra is stating that their imported LNG will help ensure against blackouts. == The TRUTH is STOPPING SEMPRA will help ensure against rolling blackouts..Sempra was found GUILTY of causing (among many other crimes), "artificial congestion"...fake blackouts --a major crime against the people and the US government.
http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=266
http://texadalng.com/2007/09/air-quality-officials-decry-liquefied.html
WHAT IS LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS ?
1)  Natural gas is extracted by the polluting (causing toxic groundwater) fracking process of drilling overseas. (Indonesia, Russia..) 
2)  Chilled to -260 degrees Fahrenheit.
3)  Moved in huge tankers across the ocean. (Sempra, in partnership with BP)
4)  Re-gasified at coastal import terminals. ...(Energia Costa Azul in Ensenada)
5)  Sent into gas grid, or to electrical power plant. (Termoelectrica de Mexicali in Baja- to connect to the unbuilt, lawsuit ridden Sunrise Powerlink- for Los Angeles and currently connected to the existing Southwest Powerline to pollute, and overcharge San Diego rate-payers (electrical grids). This foreign, expensive, polluting LNG is also shipped to the Carlsbad LNG terminal (gas grid).

OTHER NOTED LNG ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS...
1.  Gas pipeline leaks common, 2.3% of gas lost.
2.  18 to 22 % of methane lost in extraction, liquefaction, shipping, and re-gasification.
3.  CO2 Emitted from LNG tankers.
4.  Methane: Warms planet 20 times greater than CO2.
5.  Burning Natural Gas at power plant emits CO2.
6.  Cumulative impact: LNG is only a marginal improvement over burning coal or oil.
7.  IPCC: In 1995, said GHG’s (greenhouse gases) must be cut by 70% in 100 years. Now some members saying that must be accelerated to 10 years.
...From Rory Cox, Program Director of Pacific Environment http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3Ad7gyYHzRi8UJ%3Awww.pacificenvironment.org%2Fdownloads%2FLNG+-+Oregon.ppt+people+united+against+sempra+energy+lng+exports&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

"Sempra's imported Costa Azul LNG is a betrayal of the spirit of conservation in California- that made the off-shore drilling moratorium possible. By fast-tracking these LNG terminals and 500KV transmission line connections (Sunrise Powerlink), within California, our state is furthering our dependence on fossil fuels, and the building of large and dangerous facilities and transmission lines (Sunrise Powerlink). What's worse is that by importing LNG, we're moving the very gas production we won't tolerate off of our own coast to places around the world where environmental laws are routinely ignored, and where human rights abuses run amok....Sakhalin, Russia - Indonesia - New Guinea" ...from Pacific Environment.
http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=142 
SCHEMES BETWEEN THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION - SEMPRA AND SDG&E
 
Sempra's(?)  Costa Azul Resort
The government has somewhat "re-regulated" California's privately owned utilities by authority of the CPUC...but, as we all know, the CPUC has devolved into just another accessory to promote companies like Sempra, SDG&E and PG&E's open fleecing and usury of California citizens. The president of the CPUC is Mike Peevey, who was head of Southern Cal Edison...now how is this fair and equal justice as promised by our Constitution?  The CPUC has turned into a callous behemoth who only serves the greed of the utilities it's supposed to control and regulate.  Unethical actions are commonplace between the CPUC and Sempra/SDG&E...wining and dining-- including booze and Jazz Bars and trips to Hawaii (bribery-using SDG&E's ratepayer money)- even closed door, secret meetings between the CPUC and Sempra/SDG&E (after depositions) occur without any ethical accountability. 
http://www.baycitizen.org/energy/story/petition-seeks-disqualify-public/ http://www.kusi.com/story/13532378/sdge-and-puc-transit-problems-progress-report http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/site/?q=node/8231 http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article26604.htm
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2010/nov/19/former-executive-accuses-sempra-unethical-business/
Corrupt CPUC Simon
CPUC Commissioner SIMON approves multiple rate increases to abused and over-burdened San Diego ratepayers for $ TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. Despite the fact that Simon was caught red-handed being wined & dined (Booze, Jazz Bars, 1st Class Night Life -bribery) by SDG&E- using San Diego ratepayer's money. CPUC SIMON even had a petition for his removal filed in court for having closed door secret meetings and deals with SDG&E AFTER deposition (for this rate case).

 SDG&E was found GUILTY by expert's sworn testimony, of causing THREE catastrophic San Diego Wildfires in 2007 -- due to shoddy maintenance and installation of power lines. SDG&E was FINED $14 MILLION by the State of California.  

In direct opposition to proven, documented court cases, rulings and expert testimony -- CPUC Simon claims that the wildfires were San Diego's fault- stating " San Diego was not prepared for the wildfires".. and approves $ tens of millions in rate hikes to innocent San Diego ratepayers. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/18/puc-approves-sdge-rate-increase-plus-gives-it-a/
http://wildfiretoday.com/tag/power-line/
http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=457_electrical_experts http://www.baycitizen.org/energy/story/petition-seeks-disqualify-public/
http://www.kusi.com/story/13532378/sdge-and-puc-transit-problems-progress-report
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/06/jacob-calls-investigation-sempra/ http://www.10news.com/video/25783084/index.html
***In SDG&E's upside-down world of falsities and lies -- Sempra/SDG&E pay tens of millions of dollars in FINES...but they will not admit guilt (payment of fines is proof enough of SDG&E/Sempra's GUILT). They call FINES ="settlements".  When Sempra/SDG&E are found guilty of lying, suppressing information and fraud; they call it "settlements in management failure"...Sempra/SDG&E only FOOL themselves.
From July 2010, SDG&E/Sempra lobbyist Skopec violates federal law to pander Sempra's Sunrise Powerlink to CPUC. Three days after Skopec's "meeting" with Nancy Ryan, chief of staff to the president of the state Public Utilities Commission, (the lead regulator for the Sunrise Powerlink project.), the CPUC REVERSED a ruling from the CPUC administrative law judge and approved the Sunrise Powerlink. The staff member, Ryan, was then appointed as a CPUC commissioner.
Sempra/ SDG&E's main strategy for "approval" of the Sunrise Powerlink= Corruption & Collusion...outrageous that California citizens have to endure (and pay for) these criminal actions in plain view! The Sunrise Powerlink is a Sempra project, cutting through the highest rated fire zone in the state, the beautiful backcountry, National Forest land, and public BLM land--under the FALSE front of "renewable energy" - there is none! The CPUC rejected the administrative law judge's ruling to require any renewable energy! The Sunrise Powerlink would connect ,with the CPUC's approval, to Sempra's polluting foreign fossil fuel (natural gas from Russia, Indonesia) sources in Baja - Costa Azul LNG. The US has a glut of natural gas, it is much cheaper, and less polluting than Sempra's foreign LNG --forced upon San Diegans by approval of the CPUC. Only corruption, bribery and collusion would approve this disaster of a project (Sunrise Powerlink) upon the people of San Diego...and it's not even for San Diego - but, unknowing Los Angeles!
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jul/15/powerlink-advocate-may-have-powered-too-soon/

From March, 2009 -SDG&E/Sempra purposely & maliciously LIES to state utility regulators and San Diego citizens about the "southern alternative route" of the Sunrise Powerlink. SDG&E was fined $1 MILLION by the CPUC...The innocent people severely affected by SDG&E's lie receive NOTHING!
  SDG&E claimed the "southern route" would not be possible because affected Native Americans refused to allow the lines on their tribal land. SDG&E/Sempra lied because the southern route did in fact avoid tribal lands. SDG&E/Sempra's intentions were to deceive affected innocent residents of the "southern route" to stop them from fighting the line. Just one of many "tricks" SDG&E/Sempra had to use to force approval of the Sunrise Powerlink---even though the EIR, CPUC administrative law judges, the majority of citizens, environmentalists, renewable energy advocates...among many- ALL OPPOSED the Sunrise Powerlink.
Sempra/SDG&E's so called "fines" for crimes imposed on them by the CPUC were a SHAM and a joke.  $500K for the bogus "state general fund"? -  $200K for CPUC pockets? - $200K for "ethics training"?  These CPUC generated "fake fines" are an extreme injustice and insult to innocent citizens - as well as a waste of ratepayer's money.  SDG&E ratepayers are the ones who must pay the fines when Sempra/SDG&E repeatedly commit these crimes...with the CPUC's approval.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/mar/07/1b7sdge215517-sdgampe-set-pay-after-misstating-sun/?zIndex=63354
CALIFORNIA RATEPAYERS PAID FOR "SEMPRA'S" ILLEGAL COSTA AZUL LNG TERMINALS AND TERMOELECTRICA DE MEXICALI..AUTHORIZED BY THE CPUC...HUH? BUT THAT'S SEMPRA'S PRIVATE BUSINESS VENTURE - WHY? CPUC,  WHY?
Secret deals between the CPUC and Sempra/SDG&E routinely occur to the detriment of California ratepayers. The CPUC increased California's "rate base" specifically for Sempra's Costa Azul LNG project.  The CPUC, unbelievably, approved letting Sempra offload the cost of its $900 million Costa Azul terminal to all California ratepayers. ...even though this foreign enterprise has nothing to do with California ratepayers, but is merely a miscalculated, money making business venture for Sempra Energy.  Investment Dependent on Long Term, Rate-based Contracts With Utilities. http://www.energybulletin.net/print/5319
SEMPRA AND CPUC'S DEVIOUS PLAN = ALL COSTS FOR ENERGIA COSTA AZUL LNG AND INFRASTRUCTURE WERE CHARGED TO USA CITIZENS - CA RATEPAYERS AND TAXPAYERS --
1.  Cost of Infrastructure Passed on to Ratepayers. (Costa Azul terminal, ports, pipelines..everything)
2.  Cost of Foreign Extraction Passed on to Taxpayers Through Export Credit Agencies. (from Sakhalin, Russia, Indonesia)
3.  September 2004: California Public Utilities Commission Approved Sempra’s Request for Rate Basing of Baja Project. (The CPUC significantly raised California's base rate...Californians unknowing paid for Energia Costa Azul in its entirety despite the fact that this ill-fated imported LNG scheme by Sempra and the CPUC was just a money making business venture.  Sempra has invested = ZERO DOLLARS. Sempra Energy, in actuality, does not own Energia Costa Azul and infrastructures but is merely a "middleman" collecting money..(it's called USURY in the United States and the act is illegal).

Sempra’s Costa Azul Project, Dec. 2005
LNG = HIGHER UTILITY BILLS
LNG IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN DOMESTIC NATURAL GAS --
Global Competition from China, India, Europe will Drive up Cost.
SEMPRA'S LNG PRICES HAVE RISEN
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3Ad7gyYHzRi8UJ%3Awww.pacificenvironment.org%2Fdownloads%2FLNG+-+Oregon.ppt+people+united+against+sempra+energy+lng+exports&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us


Sempra /SDG&E hope to force foreign, imported fossil fuels through California (via Sunrise Powerlink, Carlsbad LNG, Oregon, etc)...despite the fact that California has strict environmental laws (AB32) against using unregulated, foreign, polluting sources. http://www.lngpollutes.org/downloads/AB32%20Scoping%20Comments_RACE.pdf


The CPUC DENIED all requests from numerous experts and coalitions to hold OPEN HEARINGS to determine the true need for Sempra's imported LNG from Costa Azul. Instead, the CPUC based their entire energy policy upon the written requests from LARGE ENERGY COMPANIES AND UTILITIES. The Schwartzenegger Admin proved to be the perfect PAWN or LACKEY for these private utility monopolies (Sempra, SDG&E) with complete and utter subservience to Sempra's demands. THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA HAS YET TO PRODUCE ANY CONCLUSIVE PROOF FROM AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE THAT WE NEED SEMPRA'S POLLUTING, EXPENSIVE, UNRELIABLE LNG FROM ENERGIA COSTA AZUL via Sunrise powerlink and the Carlsbad LNG.
http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=142
The CPUC approved Sempra's request to terminate contracts with domestic natural gas suppliers..so that Sempra-SDG&E-CPUC would have a monopoly and force unknowing ratepayers into buying and using Sempra's (Costa Azul), more expensive, more polluting, more dangerous and less secure LNG.

Sempra's imported LNG will cost California ratepayers much more than domestic natural gas...AND there is even more financial burden for California ratepayers -- All the natural gas consumed in SDG&E territory will become natural gas derived from Sempra's imported LNG from Costa Azul.  Somehow Sempra received preliminary approval from the CPUC to "reverse flow" on the SDG&E natural gas pipeline system - to move this LNG from the Costa Azul terminal directly into the San Diego market.   Reversing the flow of natural gas from San Diego's current domestic natural to Sempra's imported natural gas from Costa Azul will cost ratepayers an additional $200 MILLION ...
Sempra in Baja - CPUC corruption
 The main purpose of the CPUC (according to their website), is to protect and serve the ratepayers, yet the CPUC approved this extreme additional burden to California's ratepayers without any consideration or research to ensure-- the best product for the best price ; California's environmental laws (AB32) which prohibits foreign, polluting sources (-the Sunrise Powerlink, the Carlsbad LNG), the health & safety of citizens...and especially, the polluting, expensive, destructive legacy we would have to explain to future generations when they ask...How could this happen??http://www.ucan.org/energy/electricity/general_rate_case_2012/general_rate_case_2011 http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=142 http://www.lngpollutes.org/downloads/AB32%20Scoping%20Comments_RACE.pdf
Costa Azul LNG
The cost of Costa Azul LNG - $800-$900 million + the cost of shipping, chilling and processing foreign natural gas - unknown + the cost of Casa Azul Resort - $20 million + the cost of reversing flow of natural gas from domestic to Sempra's foreign, polluting, expensive natural gas - $200 million...that figures to be about the same rate increase as the "largest in history" rate hike ($1.8 BILLION) Sempra/SDG&E (with the help of the CPUC), hope to rob and fleece San Diego rate-payers. 

Although San Diego has the most sunny, temperate, balmy weather in the world...Sempra/SDG&E already charge San Diego rate-payers some of the highest rates in the country.http://www.ucan.org/energy/electricity/general_rate_case_2012/general_rate_case_2011
http://www.lngpollutes.org/downloads/AB32%20Scoping%20Comments_RACE.pdf http://www.energybulletin.net/print/5319
Sempra/SDG&E's master plan for San Diego: all the power sold by SDG&E by 2016 that produces CO2 emissions (including the Sunrise Powerlink and Carlsbad LNG), will be generated by power plants burning Sempra's imported, expensive, polluting LNG from Costa Azul.
PERFECTLY CONFIGURED FOR PRICE FIXING
Sempra Energy ships the foreign LNG to its Costa Azul terminal and sells it to a subsidiary called Sempra Trading, which will in turn sell it to Sempra-owned San Diego Gas & Electric and Sempra-owned SoCal Gas, creating a giant vertical structure-- perfectly configured for price fixing.
http://listserver.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/carlsbad/documents/others/2010-01-06_Center_for_Biological_Diversity_Rory_Cox_Testimony.pdf http://www.energybulletin.net/print/5319
 The CPUC is "willfully allowing the intent & spirit of CA Environmental Law AB32 (California's Landmark Environmental Law that big oil failed to defeat via Prop 23) to be VIOLATED by not accounting for full emissions impact in electricity generation...from IMPORTED LNG- Sempra's Costa Azul - including Sunrise Powerlink and the proposed Carlsbad LNG. 

SEMPRA'S IMPORTED COSTA AZUL LNG CARRIES A GHG (GREENHOUSE GAS) BURDEN THAT IS 25% GREATER THAN USA (DOMESTIC) NATURAL GAS.
(From RACE AB32 Scoping testimony).

The CPUC agreed to end all of San Diego's domestic natural gas sources without regard for the law, the environment, the economy or what is best for the ratepayers.  The CPUC has also approved letting Sempra offload the cost of its $800-900 million Costa Azul LNG terminal to all California ratepayers.  

"The CPUC has in effect delivered California ratepayers into the hands of Sempra Energy and SDG&E to be "hooked" into a dependency on much more EXPENSIVE, more POLLUTING, more DANGEROUS, IMPORTED natural gas from Sempra's Costa Azul (via Sunrise Powerlink and Carlsbad LNG among others)..that Californians have no control (or knowledge) over."... Energy Bulletin  http://www.lngpollutes.org/downloads/AB32%20Scoping%20Comments_RACE.pdf http://www.energybulletin.net/print/5319
California Ratepayers and our Global Environment are being ripped-off, robbed and fleeced by the concerted efforts of the CPUC - Sempra Energy - SDG&E - and our soon to be ex- Gov. Schwartzenegger- forcing unknowing Californians to use Sempra's very expensive, polluting, natural gas,-- shipped and piped from Sempra's private, money making business venture - Costa Azul LNG facility (that California ratepayers unknowingly PAID for in full),  via Sunrise Powerlink and the proposed Carlsbad LNG.

By forcing California ratepayers to unknowingly pay for Sempra Energy's Costa Azul LNG terminal in Baja...The CPUC has, without thought or care to USA citizens -- possibly put the United States and/or California at international risk for liability to Sempra's many crimes and lawsuits in Baja...re: the Sanchez Ritchie illegal seizing (and fraud) of property; the extreme environmental and cultural damage to Baja without regard to Mexican environmental regulations, public health & safety;  the bribery and strong-arm tactics used by Sempra against Marathon Oil, The Bolivia natural gas fiasco...http://gatewaymediapartners.com/costaazul/6_12_2010nNARROINTERPARLAMENTARIOenglish2.pdf http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=8828 http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.milenio.com%2Fnode%2F599278


CALIFORNIA DOESN'T NEED SEMPRA'S EXPENSIVE IMPORTED COSTA AZUL LNG -- DOMESTIC NATURAL GAS GLUT - USA PRICES HAVE NEVER BEEN LOWER 
A nationwide spike in LNG proposals started in 2003 with a declaration of need by former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan.  By 2005, there were 55 terminals proposed across the country.
Since then, new technology for extracting natural gas from shale has boosted estimates of the U.S. domestic gas supply - particularly in the Rocky Mountain region - DECREASING THE NEED FOR IMPORTED LNG. U.S. natural gas prices are about half of what they were two years ago.http://www.columbiariverkeeper.org/index.php/headlines/view/68
http://www.downstreamtoday.com/news/article.aspx?a_id=22614

Due to the record glut of natural gas production in the United States, the need for Sempra/ BP's foreign, shipped, unregulated natural gas is an UNNECESSARY- (1) expense, (2) destruction of 1000's of miles of eco-rich wild-land (and wildlife), (3) USA foreign energy dependence and (4) significant increase to Global Pollution -- that would further devastate the crippled US economy and it's fragile, abused (by corporate-greed) environment. 

  There is no honest reason why the people of the United States should reward Sempra and British Petroleum (both have committed major crimes against the USA; both companies are "global" with no loyalty or allegiance to the USA), with foreign natural gas contracts and construction of destructive, polluting, transmission lines (Sunrise Powerlink), and pipelines...based on their incorrect speculations - solely for their profit --with no benefit and yet extreme cost to the citizens and the environment of California and beyond.http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-09-30/natural-gas-premium-drops-to-record-low-on-glut-energy-markets.html
http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=266

"THE GREAT TRANSMISSION LINE HEIST"," 
The latest scheme to subsidize solar and wind power to the detriment of rate payers.", written by The Wall Street Journal, reports of Cheney and Sempra Energy's (among others), hateful scheme to crisscross our nation with unneeded, polluting 500KV lines to connect to "renewable energy"(solar & wind) that will NEVER be built...but the power lines will --at taxpayer's and ratepayer's expense. And in case of the Sunrise Powerlink: the prehistoric, dangerous 500kv technology will be used to connect to a polluting, foreign, expensive, natural gas electricity generating plant in Mexico, (Termoelectrica de Mexicali),  guaranteeing California's dependence on: not only foreign energy, but also-- California's dependence on the greedy whims of corrupt utility companies --(Sempra/SDG&E). This is pure Cheney --rob from innocent taxpayers, ratepayers and our beautiful USA environment...and give to the most base, most vile corporations...companies that don't care about anything but their own profit and domination. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304772804575558400606672006.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/sep/01/ap-impact-delays-plague-solar-energy-on-fed-lands/
SUNRISE POWERLINK DOES NOT NEED TO BE BUILT FOR ANY OF SDG&E, SEMPRA or BP's SO-CALLED "RENEWABLE ENERGY" PROJECTS...THERE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH CAPACITY ON SAN DIEGO'S EXISTING SOUTHWEST POWERLINE

Sempra Energy and SDG&E continue to lie to the public, the media, and government agencies, claiming that all of their (unbuilt) solar and wind projects are dependent on the expensive, dangerous and environmentally destructive construction of the SUNRISE POWERLINK. The Sunrise Powerlink estimated costs have now risen to over $3 BILLION...and yet greedy, self-serving companies like Sempra/SDG&E are more than willing to burden innocent California ratepayers with this $3 BILLION LIE.

"Yet, as the Draft EIR thankfully indicates— and as expert after expert has testified— Sunrise Powerlink is a false choice. The EIR’s top two alternatives clearly show that this region— its economy and its landscape— are better served by local, distributed generation -- not imported, generation."  From Diane Jacob, Supervisor, 2nd District, County of San Diego.http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/cnty/bos/sup2/press/speech080226.html

Leading authority Bill Powers, often hired by community groups and governments and companies to provide expert testimony on power issues opposes the $1.9 billion Sunrise Powerlink line as "unneeded and too expensive", and calls the decision approving it “a period piece.”  Central to Powers’ vision is that San Diego can produce the renewable power it needs here, negating the need both for big transmission and big desert solar farms. It’s a concept called distributed generation. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/sep/04/q-what-guy-who-opposes-sdge-thinks//
Yellow = Utility --  Red = Non Residential -- Blue = Residential
"Private solar installations are really taking off nationwide. In just two years, (about the same length of time it takes to get a pair of 250 MW solar power plants approved in California, for example), homeowners and businesses have added that much power to the Californian grid, just from individual rooftops throughout the state."...From Clean Technica.http://cleantechnica.com/2010/01/10/rooftop-solar-installations-growing-faster-than-utility-scale-solar/
http://irecusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/IREC-2009-Annual-ReportFinal.pdf

AND CITED FROM - " SAN DIEGANS FOR SMART ENERGY SOLUTIONS" ,
 MYTH VS FACT- THE TRUE STORY OF THE SUNRISE POWERLINK:

 When asked, "Do we need the Sunrise Powerlink in order to have clean renewable energy in San Diego, and to meet California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)? " ..."No. Renewable energy goals can be met by existing transmission lines", as conceded under oath by Jim Avery, a Senior Vice President of SDG&E.   (Source: Craig D. Rose, San Diego Union-Tribune, “Powerlink’s supply called into question,” July 11, 2007)  (California's "Renewable Portfolio Standard" has not changed since Jim Avery, SR VP of SDG&E made this sworn statement in 2007)

Additionally, local renewable energy resources are available in San Diego. This has been confirmed by a 2005 report partially funded by SDG&E entitled, “Potential for Renewable Energy in the San Diego Region.” (Source: San Diego Regional Renewable Energy Study Group, “Potential for Renewable Energy in the San Diego Region,” August 2005)

In evaluating the Sunrise Powerlink project, the independent consumer watchdog group, Utility Consumer’s Action Network (UCAN) noted that SDG&E has “exaggerated” the need for this project, has “understated its costs,” has “ignored reasonable alternatives,” and has engaged in a “systematic scheme to mislead the public.”http://www.ucan.org/energy/electricity/ucans_comments_on_the_california_energy_commissions_strong_endorsement_of_the_sunrise_powerlink.
“UCAN Testimony on Overview of Technical Testimony, SDG&E Misinformation and Alternatives,” June 1, 2007.

Furthermore, the Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA), the arm of the California Public Utilities Commission that advocates on behalf of public utility customers, maintains Sunrise is clearly not needed to meet any of its stated objectives, including the critical goal of providing reliable service in San Diego.  DRA (Division of Ratepayer Advocates)  is not convinced that Sunrise is the best alternative for meeting such goals, or even that Sunrise’s benefits will exceed its costs.http://www.dra.ca.gov/electric/index.htm
San Diego Gas & Electric Co. said its proposed Sunrise Powerlink "might" carry 'dirty' electricity ... [SDG&E Vice-President] Jim Avery added that there may be times when it would be in SDG&E customers' interest for the line to transport electricity generated from imported fossil fuels. (Sempra/BP's natural gas from Indonesia, New Guinea, Russia piped from Ensenada to Sempra's Mexicali NG electricity generating plant (Termoelectrica de Mexicali)..no environmentals, no pollution standards, no public health and safety regulations)http://www.sdsmartenergy.org/sunrisepowerlink.shtml

SDG&E claims the Sunrise Powerlink will connect to planned solar plants in Imperial Valley. Experts have testified otherwise. In reality, Sunrise will link to "dirty" power plants across the border, worsening pollution in an area that already has poor air quality and the highest asthma rates in California.http://www.sdsmartenergy.org/sunrisepowerlink.shtml


SDG&E over-estimated the Powerlink's savings to consumers, and these numbers relied on electricity from Sempra's Mexicali NG polluting power plants. So much for clean, affordable electricity! The Utility Consumers Action Network estimates the line (Sunrise Powerlink) will actually cost consumers at least $93 million MORE per year. http://www.sdsmartenergy.org/sunrisepowerlink.shtml

Utility monopolies such as Sempra-SDG&E are "anathema to free capitalistic market economies. As any Introduction to Economics textbook shows, monopolies set prices far in excess of what they would be in a competitive market, thus incurring obscene profits. In such situations, government regulations are absolutely necessary to protect the public from predatory pricing."...Joel Harrison, PHD, MPHhttp://www.californiaprogressreport.com/site/?q=node/8231

OTHER RESPECTED, CREDIBLE ORGANIZATIONS, POLITICIANS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS AGAINST THE SUNRISE POWERLINK:
  
 Unlike ALL of the Sempra, SDG&E and affiliate Powerlink supporters...NONE of these organizations, social groups, politicians or environmental groups...have been PAID to oppose the Sunrise Powerlink.
 
Additionally, blog space is not wasted on the non-authoritative views of - Local Community Planning Groups or Local Chambers' of Commerce.

LIST OF OPPONENTS - (AGAINST) THE SUNRISE POWERLINK:
 http://truthsayer-esther.blogspot.com/p/opponents-of-sunrise-powerlink-list-and.html

THE CORRUPTION AND UNDUE-SOVEREIGNTY OF THE BLM  (BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT)The BLM consists of incompetent, heartless and corrupt cronies in important regulatory and oversight positions...all the while- utilizing Cheney's anti-environmental-- pro-business "provisions" from their "NECO" (Northern and Eastern Colorado Desert Plan) handbook.  The BLM "permitted" the dangerous, expensive  polluting Sunrise Powerlink through OUR public land under the auspices of the "NECO" agenda--The NECO agenda: IGNORE all environmental, wildlife, economic, cultural, historic, public safety and health impactshttp://www.peer.org/news/news_id.php?row_id=183
http://www.basinandrangewatch.org/Blythe.html
Cheney's Energy Policy Act of 2005 (H.R.6.):

Eliminated environmental and safety reviews to enhance corporations (BP, Sempra, et al) ability to exploit our natural resources with little or no oversite and with maximum profit. Required a study to eliminate "impediments" (environmental, cultural, economic including policies and regulations) wildlife, human health, fish, wild lands, cultural, historical...(Sec 357)

Permanently exempted oil & natural gas construction activities - roads, drill pads, pipeline corridors, refineries from having to obtain a permit for controlling polluted stormwater runoff - Previously required by the Clean Water Act. (Sec 323)

Sweeping new authority for the Department of Interior (ex-Sempra lobbyist, David Hayes is currently Deputy Director of the Interior) to permit new energy projects in the Outer Continental Shelf without adequate oversight or standards. (Sec 321) .
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/11/washington/11royalty.html?_r=3&pagewanted=all
http://www.publicintegrity.org/investigations/broken_government/articles/entry/1022/

Here is just a sample of what Cheney, the BLM, corruption, greed and incompetence have done to our beautiful America:

Rep Don Burton, Ind-R and the Humane Society BLASTED the BLM for mismanagement of our wild Mustangs and gross waste of public taxpayer's funds.  Rep Burton vows to ask Senate Appropriations to slash the BLM budget.
"This is another bureaucratic nightmare that we in this Congress should not--and I don't believe will--put up with. And I'm going to ask the Appropriations Committee to cut the budget of the Bureau of Land Management because they're wasting the taxpayers' money by millions and millions and maybe hundreds of millions of dollars.  Last year, the government (BLM) spent about $144 million managing private livestock on Federal public lands, and they only collect $21 million for grazing rights. So they lost at least $123 million per year. And some people estimate that they lose as much as $500 million a year, half a billion dollars, by keeping these grazing lands in private hands where people get them for almost nothing. $21 million was what the fee was that they got last year."...Rep Burton, Ind-R
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=b9de729f6e73b5e4a3e91261c&id=be782e16a1&e=a828e2d0d3
The BLM and The Department of the Interior ignore an entire coalition of Native Americans, environmentalists, and desert enthusiasts who had to file a lawsuit to stop destruction of at least 6000 acres on the desert ecosytem, cultural resources and a national historic trail-- from unproven gas-engine fired solar fields in the Imperial Valley desert. The companies (Stirling and Tessera) involved testified that they would use unproven and flawed technology. This technology is so poor that these companies could not find ANY outside investors to fund them!..The Department of the Interior approved and "fast-tracked" them for US taxpayer's Federal Stimulus money...this "set-up-for failure project is "linked" to Sempra Energy and SDG&E's Sunrise Powerlink. Ex Sempra lobbyist, David Hayes just happens to be Deputy Director of the Interior....Corruption at work!http://eastcountymagazine.org/node/4801
http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/11/02/31538.htm
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/17/judge-blocks-imperial-valley-solar-project/
http://networkedblogs.com/dlnZI

The National Law Journal reports : "High court losses STUN environmentalists- (2009) : 0 wins 5 losses in Supreme Court rulings...pro-business, anti-environment"http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNLJ.jsp?id=1202431807260&slreturn=1&hbxlogin=1
Judge denies Animal Rights Groups plea to at least postpone BLM's helicopter wild mustang roundups in 100+ degree desert heat. To make room for a natural gas pipeline. (at least a dozen horses were killed by the BLM.  Many more were tortured due to- exhaustion, dehydration, hooves worn to the bloody bone, etc. due to the miles upon miles the BLM helicopters forced the wild Mustangs to run....in the desert...in August...in 100+ degree heat)http://www.animallawcoalition.com/wild-horses-and-burros/article/1398
http://www.thecloudfoundation.org/index.php/news-events-a-media/press-releases/258-ruby1

BLM Ignores Process, 2.5 Million Acres to Be Opened for Oil Shale Development - Public Denied Chance to Comment on 12 Resource Management Plans.http://yubanet.com/usa/BLM-Ignores-Process-2-5-Million-Acres-to-Be-Opened-for-Oil-Shale-Development.php
BLM ignores Western Shoshone Objections - Barrick Gold Readies Itself to Carve up Mount Tenabo...the most publically opposed mine in the world .
http://www.ienearth.org/news/ThanksgivingtheCortezWay.html

Bush rushes to open Grand Canyon to toxic uranium mining. BLM publishes proposed rule which ignores House committee’s resolution .http://www.grist.org/article/bush-rushes-to-open-grand-canyon-to-toxic-uranium-mining/#comments

Public groups oppose BLM's (Cheney's) NECO: Northern and Eastern Colorado Desert Plan which not only ignores, but is critically harmful to the environment. Impacting California's - Imperial, Riverside and San Bernadino Deserts..from 2002.http://www.peer.org/news/news_id.php?row_id=183

New Mexico Battles FEDS to Stop Gas Drilling Near an Aquifer...Cheney's provision exempted hydraulic fracturing (natural gas extraction method that contaminates ground water). Clean Water Act ignored.http://www.propublica.org/article/new-mexico-battles-feds-to-stop-gas-drilling-near-an-aquifer-1120
Earth Justice and the public oppose the polluting Red Cliff Mine ...underground coal mining. Yet the BLM ignores the greenhouse gas impacts of methane -- 21 times more powerful than C02 as a cause of global warming. BLM ignores the impacts to deer and elk habitat -- as well as proposed wilderness lands destruction.http://www.earthjustice.org/features/pollution-giant-new-colorado-coal-mine
BLM, Salazar and Hayes ignore important cultural and environmental permanent destruction and approve a second rate solar panel project in Blythe, California. Project lands for the Blythe Solar construction on 7500 acres contain world-wide well known geoglyphs including Kokopilli, Cicimitl, El Tosco, the 16 layer Temple, and other features. Flaked quartz left as offerings over hundreds of years by native peoples indicate the cultural importance of the sites to be destroyed if the Blythe Solar power project is built as planned.
**12/28/2010 -- La Cuna de Aztlan Sacred Sites Protection Circle, a Native American cultural protection group, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court, of California, challenging the Bureau of Land Management permitting processes regarding six large solar facilities planned for the Mohave, Sonoran and Colorado deserts of Southern California (Case No.10CV2664 WQH WVG), including Imperial Valley- (Sunrise Powerlink).http://www.basinandrangewatch.org/Blythe.html
http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/5108
http://www.nationalpolicyinstitute.org/2010/12/29/aztlan-files-suit-challenging-the-bureau-of-land-management-permitting-processes-2/

National Agricultural Law Center calls BLM's Federal Rangeland Policy...Perverting Law and Jeopardizing Eco-Systemshttp://www.basinandrangewatch.org/Blythe.html

BLM ignores group's proposals to consider alternate route to lessen severe environmental impacts and create more jobs in Nevada for a natural gas pipeline.http://www.gbrw.org/releases/130-ruby-press-release.html

Powder River Basin, Fortification Creek in Wyoming...coalbed methane. BLM’s approval of wells ignores research showing loss of habitat extends beyond the activity associated with gas development – up to 1.7 miles. The Wyoming Wildlife Federation has joined other concerned groups in appealing the BLM’s approval.http://www.ourpubliclands.org/about/wyoming/FortificationCreek


BLM Ignores Request by Native Americans, Local Residents, Historic Preservationists, and Conservationists to Protect Arch Canyon's Cultural Resources...(for, of all unnecessary things...off road vehicle driving http://www.suwa.org/site/News2page=NewsArticle&id=5995&security=1&news_iv_ctrl=1341

Salazar, Hayes and BLM ignore critical environmental impacts to coal leasing -instead opting for more profits for corporations.http://www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews/RSSFeed/HeadlineNews/Coal/6464249

MORE AND MORE, COURTS ARE RULING FOR "THE PEOPLE" INSTEAD OF THE PERMANENT, DESTRUCTIVE GREED OF THE FEW:
"EPA Vetoes Permit For Largest Mountaintop Removal Mine In West Virginia, Arch Coal's Spruce No. 1 . The Environmental Protection Agency is revoking a crucial water permit for West Virginia's largest mountaintop removal mine because it would irreparably damage the environment and threaten the health of nearby communities. Assistant Administrator for Water Peter S. Silva said the agency was employing a rarely used veto power because Arch Coal's Spruce No. 1 mine in Logan County would use "destructive and unsustainable" mining practices." 1/14/2011...from The Huffington Post.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/13/epa-vetoes-water-permit-f_n_808557.html

The Department of the Interior, (Dec 23, 2010), issued a new “Wild Lands” secretarial order to the Bureau of Land Management, instructing the agency to designate a few unique areas with wilderness qualities, and manage them in a way that protects those qualities.  The order restores an authority which had been undermined by a 2003 Bush administration settlement. Areas that could receive protection include: Vermillion Basin in Colorado; Labyrinth Canyon in Utah; Adobe Town in Wyoming; Owyhee Canyonlands in southeastern Oregon; Granite Range in Nevada; and Quayle Draw in Arizona.http://www.defenders.org/newsroom/press_releases_folder/2010/12_23_2010_christmas_comes_early_for_americas_wild_lands.php

The District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals denied an attempt by "industry groups" (Big Polluters) and the state of Texas to halt implementation of greenhouse gas regulations developed by the Environmental Protection Agency under the federal Clean Air Act. The order was issued in three separate cases captioned Coalition for Responsible Regulation, et al. v. EPA (nos. 09-1322 and consolidated cases, 10-1073 and consolidated cases, and 10-1092 and consolidated cases).http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2010/greenhouse-gases-12-10-2010.html

Federal court victory that sided with environmental concerns in determining that the Bureau of Land Management erred when it added 5,000 miles of off-highway vehicle (OHV) routes in the Western Mojave Desert.http://wilderness.org/content/road-routes-mojave-desert-found-illegal

Federal Court for the District of Idaho awarded Western Watersheds Project a stunning victory in an Order overturning the Bush Administration’s grazing regulations for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) affecting over 160,000,000 acres of public lands in eleven western states.http://www.westernwatersheds.org/news-media/online-messenger/western-watersheds-project-wins-great-victory-overturning-bush-administr
MORE CRIMES & MISDEMEANORS COMMITTED BY SEMPRA & SDG&E
 (SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC..A "SEMPRA" COMPANY)
Corrupt CPUC Simon
CPUC Commissioner SIMON approves multiple rate increases to abused and over-burdened San Diego ratepayers for $ TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.  Despite the fact that Simon was caught red-handed being wined & dined (Booze, Jazz Bars, 1st Class Night Life -bribery) by SDG&E- using San Diego ratepayer's money.  CPUC SIMON even had a petition for his removal filed in court for having closed door secret meetings and deals with SDG&E AFTER deposition (for this rate case) SDG&E was found GUILTY by experts sworn testimony, of causing 3 catastrophic San Diego Wildfires in 2007 due to shoddy maintenance and installation of power lines.  SDG&E was FINED $14 MILLION by the State of California. 

 In direct opposition to proven, documented court cases, rulings and expert testimony -- CPUC Simon claims that the wildfires were San Diego's fault- stating " San Diego was not prepared for the wildfires".. and approves $ tens of millions in rate hikes to innocent San Diego ratepayers.
CORRUPTION AT WORK !  AN OUTRAGEOUS, CRIMINAL INJUSTICE ! http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/18/puc-approves-sdge-rate-increase-plus-gives-it-a/
http://wildfiretoday.com/tag/power-line/
http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=457_electrical_experts http://www.baycitizen.org/energy/story/petition-seeks-disqualify-public/
http://www.kusi.com/story/13532378/sdge-and-puc-transit-problems-progress-report
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/06/jacob-calls-investigation-sempra/ http://www.10news.com/video/25783084/index.html
***In SDG&E's upside-down world of falsities and lies -- Sempra/SDG&E pay tens of millions of dollars in FINES...but they will not admit guilt (payment of fines is proof enough of SDG&E/Sempra's GUILT). They call FINES -"settlements.  When they are found guilty of lying, suppressing information, fraud...they call it "management failure"...Sempra/SDG&E only FOOL themselves. 

San Diego Board of Supervisors requests a formal probe regarding Sempra's bribery charges and use of rate-payer's money to build their Costa Azul resort for Sempra CEO and his cronies.

Ex-controller says Sempra paid bribes in Mexico:
This is a statement from "20 POINTS WHY SEMPRA ENERGY MUST LEAVE BAJA CALIFORNIA" Legislators and Representatives attending the XLIX Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Meeting :
"The judicial recourse indicated Sempra Energy as responsible for alleged bribes to the former Baja California governor to undertake the expropriation of legitimate lands, of which more than 300 hectares had been transacted for the main project for Marathon Oil, Sempra’s rival company which excelled in processing the permits, Marathon Oil having had to give up because of the clear favoritism and protection of the State Government for SEMPRA, a company which was given every facility and with which it even partnered through his daughter Erika Elorduy Blackaller." http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/nov/12/ex-controller-says-sempra-paid-bribes-in-mexico/
http://gatewaymediapartners.com/costaazul/6_12_2010nNARROINTERPARLAMENTARIOenglish2.pdf
PETITION SEEKS TO DISQUALIFY CPUC MEMBER At issue is the practice of CPUC commissioners meeting privately with utility companies and others with business being decided by the commission. CPUC Simon, met in closed door meetings with SDG&E to discuss SDG&E's planned rate hike to San Diego customers The major rate hike proposed by SDG&E is to charge it's customers for SDG&E's faulty and shoddy powerline construction and maintenance that was proven to be the cause of multiple San Diego wildfires and fatalities. The CPUC denied this ridiculous rate hike...but Commissioner Simon (picture-left), after closed door meetings with SDG&E and a big HIGH TIME at an expensive Jazz Bar with SDG&E -has approved the rate hike. CPUC's Simon's only defense is that bribery, wining, dining, and secret closed door meetings with SDG&E/Sempra, after depositions...is "common practice".. "Common practice" does not mean that the incident was in fact legal or ethical. Bribery, wining, dining and secret CPUC-SDG&E meetings after deposition is NOT and will never be legal or ethical in the USA.http://www.baycitizen.org/energy/story/petition-seeks-disqualify-public/ http://www.kusi.com/story/13532378/sdge-and-puc-transit-problems-progress-report

SDG&E falsely labels its many fines and penalties for (lying, fraud, mistakes..among many other crimes), as "settlements on management failure". Only a fool would believe this gibberish..perhaps they are only trying to "fool" themselves.http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/encanto-gas-holder/2010/apr/24/sdge-settlements-on-management-failure-not-fines-n/

SDG&E plans major rate hikes for residential and small business during peak hours - SDG&E shareholders are the only one who will benefit.http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/encanto-gas-holder/2010/aug/19/city-of-san-diego-protests-sdge-peakshift-rate-hik/

SDG&E asks for $1 BILLION in rate hikes - because "San Diego does not use enough power"
SDG&E's utility rates are some of the highest in the country - despite the fact that San Diego has the most mild, sunny climate in the world.http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/aug/20/lower-power-use-means-higher-rates/

SDG&E plans major rate hike for peak hours - because "San Diego uses too much power"http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jul/07/sdge-proposes-variable-pricing/

California Governor Jerry Brown, as CA State Attorney General, fined Sempra Energy $400 MILLION, found GUILTY for causing the California energy crisis...by creating false "black-outs" to force California ratepayers to buy overinflated energy ...that did not exist. A criminal act against the people and the government...this was just one of many fines they must continue to pay for this specific criminal act. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/apr/28/sempra-settle-state-energy-crisis-claims/

SDG&E's guilty verdict - must pay $1+ MILLION in fines for lying about the route of the Sunrise Powerlink...affected citizens receive nothing.http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/mar/07/1b7sdge215517-sdgampe-set-pay-after-misstating-sun/?zIndex=63354

CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission) has fined Sempra and SDG&E over $130 MILLION for crimes, -lies and fraud (guilty verdicts) ...just in the past few years...affected ratepayers receive nothinghttp://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/oct/25/puc-says-it-has-gone-after-utilities-sdge-included/

SDG&E lies to the public claiming there are NO fire dangers from Sunrise Powerlink - The Fire & Fuel section in the official EIR- reports there are many extreme high fire riskshttp://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/3284

SDG&E gets caught lying to the CPUC (again) about the dangers and opponents of their "shut off plan"http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/aug/11/sdgampe-accused-misleading-puc/?business&zIndex=147311

SDG&E lobbyists dictate scripted letters to San Diego's elected politicians to approve SDG&E's shut off plan...all of those politicians also received generous compensation from SDG&E's (ratepayers)http://www.ucan.org/energy/electricity/politicians_say_they_are_not_lackeys_after_signing_letters_dictated_sdge_lobbyists

CPUC officially rejects SDG&E's shut-off planhttp://www.10news.com/news/20815518/detail.html

Experts agree that faulty power line installations by SDG&E caused multiple wild fires in San Diego County.http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=457_electrical_experts
http://wildfiretoday.com/tag/power-line/

Nine SDG&E executives have to take back "campaign donations" made to San Diego Supervisor Ron Roberts...one of the ONLY politicians in San Diego who was in favor of the Sunrise Powerlink..the Sunrise Powerlink's route is no where near Ron Robert's districthttp://www.voiceofsandiego.org/election/article_47139ffe-e095-11df-9824-001cc4c03286.html

SDG&E official heads El Cajon Chamber of Commerce - El Cajon Chamber receives LARGE donations from SDG&E - El Cajon Chamber of Commerce supports Sunrise Powerlink - The Powerlink route does not affect or go near any part of El Cajon.http://www.eastcountyaction.org/what-is-at-stake/loss-of-property-values/follow-the-money/

Former "top" California state official /utility exec illegally started lobbying for the Sunrise Powerlink before "cooling off" period...revolving door policy in action despite Federal Laws.http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jul/15/powerlink-advocate-may-have-powered-too-soon/

SDG&E must pay $80,000 to CFTC for illegal trading in natural gas futures (buying & selling in one call)...that's ILLEGAL TRADING IN NATURAL GAS FUTURES...even the "dimly lit" leaders at SDG&E know that Sempra's foreign natural gas from Costa Azul is a polluting, expensive, giant mistake that no one wants or needs.http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201004221340dowjonesdjonline000700&title=cftcsempra-unit-sdgande-settles-charges-of-unlawful-trading-activity

Sempra CEO pays himself $20 MILLION salary - will not let shareholders have a say...http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jul/03/say-pay/
Sempra CEO's greed and self importance is spiraling out-of-control...Felsinger ("Nero"), uses $17 MILLION of California's utility ratepayer's money to build a lavish "palace"- degrading the beautiful Baja coastline for himself and his cronies. Sempra fires honest executive who questioned wasteful spending. Lawsuit calls Casa Azul “an oceanfront vacation home” being built for Felsinger “at the utility ratepayers’ expense,” ...Sempra CEO living HIGH ON THE HOG...http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/nov/13/ex-exec-says-sempra-resort-got-him-fired/
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.la-ch.com%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D6171%253Ala-mansion-de-sempra-y-la-acusacion-por-el-pago-de-sobornos%26catid%3D42%253Ageneral%26Itemid%3D62

As of November 9, 2010...Sempra's earnings are down by 59% due to unit sales. Stock already down by 4%http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/nov/09/sempra-announces-earnings/

"Dead Man Walking" is a term used for death row prison inmates, called out by the guards as the prisoner takes his last "walk" to the death chamber. As you read all this information, you see the pattern has already been set in motion -- of a company (Sempra and SDG&E) ..and their lies upon lies, the sheer greed and willingness to destroy the environment and human lives;  the fact that Sempra's own employees are now starting to turn on them ...Good people only need to learn and acknowledge the truth about Sempra-BP-SDG&E ...to stop them..."
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