Energy Transmission Threat to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Imperial to North of Songs 500kV
In May of 2024 California Independent System Operator released its approval and report detailing the Imperial to North of Songs line set to cut through the center of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The contractor Next Era published the following details in their report:
- Horizon West indicated that its proposed route would minimize impacts to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park by following a combination of existing transmission lines, existing roads, and other permanent impacts within the park for the majority of the crossing.
- Horizon West indicated that the proposed route would limit exposure to dense urban areas but would traverse an urban area for one portion of the proposed route.
- Lotus-SCE indicated that the proposed route would minimize the length within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park General Plan designated wilderness areas.
The Map below is a potential path based on the details shared in this report. The intention shared is to expand the existing utility right of way to minimize impact however this path runs along the scenic Highway 78, Tamarisk Grove Campground, Grapevine Canyon, and passing through Cultural Preserve Angelina Spring.
The existing transmission lines will go from this:
To this:
There is Still Time to Act:
While the transmission line has been approved the exact path has not. Next Era is working on the details of the path, meeting with stakeholders and preparing for submission of their environmental report to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
What we are doing now:
Anza-Borrego Foundation is actively educating decision makers to hopefully move the path of the line outside of the Park or minimize impact to the greatest degree possible. This effort is ongoing and will take time. Once the application for the line has been submitted new action will take place and we will keep you posted along the way.
What you can do:
- Become a Member
- Subscribe to our Newsletters
- Donate – this is a resource intense effort staff is working tirelessly to communicate with the right people before it’s too late.
- Tell a friend, inform local decisions makers, and let people know about this unintended consequence of meeting renewable energy goals in California on the largest most biodiverse park in California. Together we can bring light to this situation, support carbon neutrality goals and protect our most precious public lands.
If you have questions or want to help this effort, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Executive Director Bri Fordem.
Want more info? Watch the Renewable Energy Impacts on the Park Webinar, presented by Bri Fordem, Executive Director of ABF, and David Garmon, President of Tubb Canyon Desert Conservancy. This webinar covers both solar and transmission project impacts on our region with special attention to the current proposal to build a 500kV transmission line from Imperial County to North of San Onofre, planned to slice through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
