Riverside Deserves Better: Support Underground Power Lines
- Target:
- Riverside Residents
- Region:
- United States of America
Background Information and Supporting Evidence
Riverside, California, has long been known for its scenic beauty, community-oriented neighborhoods, and commitment to sustainability. However, the proposed overhead transmission lines by Southern California Edison (SCE) threaten the city's aesthetic and environmental integrity.
Environmental and Aesthetic Concerns
Overhead power lines have historically posed significant environmental and aesthetic concerns. These large structures disrupt natural habitats, leading to fragmentation of wildlife corridors, which in turn affects the local ecosystem. Additionally, the visual impact of massive steel towers and power lines stretching across the skyline detracts from the character and charm of neighborhoods. Studies have shown that property values can decrease when located near overhead transmission lines, affecting not only individual homeowners but entire communities.
Fire Safety Risks
California is no stranger to wildfires, with increasing temperatures, drought conditions, and high winds contributing to extreme fire danger. Overhead power lines are known to be a common cause of wildfires due to electrical malfunctions or downed lines during windstorms. By undergrounding the power lines, the risk of fires ignited by electrical infrastructure is significantly reduced, providing a safer environment for all Riverside residents.
Economic and Environmental Justice
The proposed route for the overhead transmission lines predominantly passes through economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. This raises concerns about environmental justice, where certain communities may bear a disproportionate burden of unsightly infrastructure and elevated fire risks. By advocating for undergrounding, Riverside City Council can help ensure that all residents are treated fairly, with no single community facing undue harm.
Introduction
We, the undersigned residents of Riverside, California, petition the Riverside City
Council to advocate for undergrounding Southern California Edison's proposed overhead transmission lines (Application A.15-04-013). While we understand the
importance of reliable electricity, we believe overhead lines pose a significant
environmental, aesthetic, and fire safety concerns for our community as well as
economic disruption to disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Concerns with Overhead Lines
1. Environmental Degradation: Overhead lines disrupt natural habitats and
wildlife corridors, impacting the ecosystem balance, health, and beauty of our
city's environment.
2. Visual Blight: These lines would create an unsightly eyesore, detracting from
the character and charm of our neighborhoods.
3. Extreme Fire Danger: Overhead lines pose a serious fire threat, especially in
our dry California climate in an area prone to high winds.
Benefits of Undergrounding
1. Preserve Natural Beauty: Undergrounding protects the natural environment
and maintains the visual appeal of our city.
2. Enhances Fire Safety: Underground lines significantly reduce the risk of
wildfires sparked by electrical malfunctions and allow the use of fire-fighting
helicopters without concern for towers.
3. Promotes Environmental Justice: A commitment to undergrounding ensures
all communities are treated fairly and one community does not bear the burden of unsightly infrastructure, fire danger, and property devaluation.
Aligning with Riverside's Values
As a forward-thinking city committed to sustainability, Riverside should embrace
innovative solutions such as undergrounding power lines. This approach aligns with our city's values by prioritizing:
1. Environmental responsibility - Existing Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
does not reflect significant changes in technology
2. Public safety
3. Community well-being
4. Sustainable development
5. Equity
Call to Action
We urge the Riverside City Council to:
1. Advocate for Southern California Edison (SCE) to bury the planned transmission power lines in Riverside.
2. Work with SCE to commission a new Environmental Impact Report, if necessary, expediting the process to avoid project delays.
By taking this proactive stance, the City Council demonstrates its commitment to effective, long-term planning and responsible development and ensures a vibrant, safe, and beautiful Riverside for all residents.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Please sign to show your support for undergrounding the power lines.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Riverside Deserves Better: Support Underground Power Lines petition to Riverside Residents was written by Neighbors Better Together (NBT) and is in the category Neighborhood Living at GoPetition.