[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 119 (Thursday, September 19, 2002)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1622] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 5409 ``THE CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST RESPONSIBLE ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION ACT OF 2002'' ______ HON. DARRELL E. ISSA of california in the house of representatives Thursday, September 19, 2002 Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I would thank my colleagues Congressman Calvert, Congressman Hunter, Congressman Cunningham, Congressman Radanovich, Congressman Doolittle and Congresswoman Bono for their commitment to meeting southern California's energy demands and their continued concern for the communities and property owners affected by the need for a new transmission line. The Cleveland National Forest Responsible Electricity Transmission Act of 2002 will create a corridor through the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest, whereby a 500 KV transmission line can be built to connect the Valley-Serrano transmission line (owned by Southern California Edison) to the Telega-Escondido transmission line (owned by San Diego Gas & Electric). The approval of this corridor will greatly strengthen a fragile California transmission grid while protecting hundreds of homes and businesses from condemnation. This bill is the result of discussions and negotiations among Members of Congress and other interested parties for nearly a year. Our legislation follows the basic premise that we should utilize lands set aside for public use before condemning private property for a transmission line. Nearly 97 percent of the corridor created by our bill will utilize public lands. SDG&E, the utility attempting to secure a corridor for a transmission line, has pledged their support for our legislation in order to avoid making a decision that would be detrimental to the people of the Temecula Valley. Our bill will do something else that California desperately needs. It will allow a local water district to connect a new source of power to the grid. The proposed hydro electric facility on Lake Elsinore, adjacent to the corridor, will enable the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District to place 600 megawatts of green peaker power onto the transmission grid when the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) needs it. In order for this project to become a reality, our legislation needs to become law. California needs both improved electrical infrastructure and a greater generation capacity: our bill is a step towards achieving these goals. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here talking about this common sense legislation. 1, along with my colleagues, look forward to working with Chairman Barton and Chairman Tauzin to make this important legislation law. ____________________