December 23, 2008

Chamber Successfully Secures Reliable Energy Supplies For Corona Businesses

The Corona Chamber of Commerce attended the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) meeting in San Francisco last week to publically testify in support of the proposed Sunrise Powerlink Project. The Chamber officially supported the Project earlier this year.

The Project will help ensure that the Corona business community has reliable electric service. After hours of testimony from members of the public, the Commission approved the Project.

“The Sunrise Powerlink Project is a forward thinking energy solution to our region and will be beneficial to the business community,” stated Cynthia Schneider, Chair of the Corona Chamber's Legislative Action Committee. “This project is an example of clean energy by using solar and wind technology and will eliminate much of the greenhouse gases that are generated by conventional power plants,” Schneider continued.
 

Why This Is Important To You

Corona's residents and businesses receive their power via a network of interconnected transmission lines that work together to provide reliable electric service to homes and businesses throughout California. A disruption or breakdown of major transmission lines can compromise the entire system and put consumers across the state at risk for blackouts and energy shortages. The Sunrise Powerlink will have enough capacity to power more than 650,000 homes and businesses throughout the Corona region.

The Sunrise Powerlink would also expand access to new supplies of clean solar, wind and geothermal energy in the Imperial Valley that are waiting to be tapped and help California move towards a greener energy future. In this new era of “Green” Energy, the Sunrise Powerlink transmission line is will provide the needed capacity of renewable power to homes and businesses, while at the same time having minimal impact on the environment. This type of project falls in line with AB 32, Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 that positioned California as a world leader in effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The following statement was delivered by Corona Chamber Legislative Action Committee Chair Cynthia Schneider at the December 18, 2008 CPUC Meeting in San Francisco:

Good morning (CPUC) President Peevey and Commissioners. My name is Cynthia Schneider and I am chair of the Corona Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Action Committee.

I am here today on behalf of the Corona Chamber of Commerce to urge you to adopt President Peevey’s alternate decision that approves the Sunrise Powerlink transmission line.

Despite the rosy reports, implementation of California’s aggressive plans to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and increase green power usage is going to cost ratepayers – especially small business owners – a lot of money.

In order to implement these clean energy policies – and keep energy costs low - we must invest in cost-effective infrastructure projects like the Sunrise Powerlink. Otherwise, we will continue to drive business out of California to other states where the cost of doing business is much lower.

According to President Peevey’s alternate decision, the Sunrise Powerlink will save ratepayers over $125 million in energy costs. Given the economic downturn we’re facing, this is welcome news.

Please know that the Sunrise Powerlink isn’t just about San Diego or Imperial Valley. This is a power line for all Southern California ratepayers. After all, utilities up and down the state will use the Sunrise Powerlink to access the solar, wind and geothermal energy in the Imperial Valley.

So while the Sunrise Powerlink won’t directly serve Corona, we still stand firmly behind it. Because we know approval of the line will mean businesses in the Inland Empire will also have access to cleaner and more affordable power supplies.
 

This vote today represents a test of the state’s commitment to a cleaner energy future. Failure to approve the Sunrise Powerlink means all this talk about combating climate change and shifting from fossil fuels to cleaner sources of electricity is just that – talk.

On behalf of the thousands of business owners and ratepayers who live and work outside of San Diego, please support President Peevey’s alternative supporting the Sunrise Powerlink. We are counting on you to do what’s right.

Thank you.
 

August 15, 2007

Corona Chamber Opposes Government Energy Regulation

The Corona Chamber opposes SB 412 (Simitian) which would not allow for a diversity of gas supply sources leading to higher cost of natural gas. The Chamber’s opposition to the potential law sends a message to the legislature that businesses throughout the Corona region will not stand for such regulation.

“Many of us in our region rely on natural gas. Southern California, in fact, leads the nation in the percentage of homes, businesses and electric power plants fueled by natural gas,” stated Cynthia Schneider, Chair of the Chamber’s Legislative Action Committee.

“We believe natural gas is important to Southern California and believe more supply sources are needed and would benefit the region as a whole,” continued Schneider.

New supply sources will increase a gas on gas competition and would allow for lower prices for all customers. This will also enhance new supply resources and reduce the risk of a supply shortfall if something were to happen to an existing pipeline or supply basin. SB 412 would set up an unnecessarily long and laborious process during which the state’s residents and businesses would be deprived of access to the much needed natural gas supplies.