San Mateo County Times

PUC chairman says new EMF studies are unnecessary
By Christine Morente
STAFF WRITER
 

Thursday, June 24, 2004 -

BURLINGAME -- The fight against electromagnetic-field exposure from high-voltage power lines got tougher Wednesday after California Public Utilities Commission President Michael Peevey asserted that the "state of scientific knowledge" had not changed enough to warrant new EMF rules.

Peevey also proposed an alternate route for Pacific Gas and Electric Co.'s Jefferson-Martin Transmission Line project that places underground power lines along Skyline Boulevard instead of Trousdale Drive.

In a report released Wednesday, Peevey dismissed the 280 Concerned Citizens Coalition's demand to adopt a maximum-exposure standard for the combined 230,000-volt and existing 60,000-volt lines in residential areas for the PG&E project.

"He's not sympathetic to residents at all," said Katie Carlin, the 280CCC organizer. "He's creating a record for the commission to not address EMFs."

The 280CCC will continue to pressure the remaining four commissioners to follow a CPUC administrative law judge's recommendation to revisit the 10-year-old EMF studies being used by the commission.

"(Judge Charlotte TerKeurst's) recommendation would set a precedent that would be upheld in future cases, so it could make things more difficult for PG&E to put down transmission lines near anybody who doesn't want it," Carlin said. "We're going to try to persuade the members of the commission that there is enough EMF research to have a cautious approach."

Dennis Zell, of the Concerned Residents of Burlingame (CRB), said Peevey's recommendation is disappointing.

"Chairman Peevey obviously doesn't believe there's any danger from EMFs," Zell said. "(The route) is unfortunately bad news for Skyline Boulevard residents, because the judge's report at least had some glimmer of hope for them. Now we know one member of the PUC is going to vote against the Skyline residents."

Peevey proposes underground lines at Caada Road and Skyline Boulevard. The lines will go above ground at a new intermediate transition tower west of Trousdale Drive and contine through the watershed to reach a new Glenview Drive transition tower.

From there, the lines will go under San Bruno Avenue and continue north to Huntington Avenue and to the BART right-of-way. They would then turn east and eventually cross San Bruno Mountain to reach the Martin substation.

The CPUC is expected to rule July 8.

Staff writer Christine Morente can be reached at (650) 348-4333 or at cmorente@sanmateocountytimes.com .