Isabella Fields ‘28
Staff writer
Have you seen yellow shirts or signs in yards and wondered what they were about and if it mattered to you? Well, there is a plan to build huge, loud transmission towers throughout Temecula, and Save Temecula is an organization created to oppose the installation of said towers. And while it may seem trivial, important choices like these being made by current leaders will help shape the lives of future residents of Temecula. The City Mayor, Jessica Alexander, states, “As the Mayor, a mother and resident of Temecula, I will do everything within my power to stand up for our city and fight against these proposed power lines. This fight is about more than our generation today; it’s about protecting our children, our grandchildren, and generations yet to come.”
The proposed plans by SDG&E were set to place 200-foot transmission towers throughout neighborhoods, vineyards, and along Temecula Parkway. In addition, the high-voltage buzz and crackle will carry for miles in every direction. For context, transmission towers that are in the middle of nowhere discharge about 260kV and are incredibly loud, even when distant from civilization. These lines that will be built are planned to be 500kV, so it would be a major nuisance in public spaces as they cut through backyards, schools, and parks.
Although this affects wildfire safety, property values, and the local economy, it will also interrupt the daily lives of young people. It will affect areas where students live, learn, and spend time. Imagine walking around a park or practicing at school with a loud and possibly dangerous power line towering over places that once felt open and peaceful.
While the visual and quality-of-life impacts are immediate, many residents are equally concerned about what prolonged exposure to high-voltage transmission lines could mean for future generations. According to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, high concentrations of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure have been linked to types of brain cancer and childhood leukemia. Developing tissues in children make them especially vulnerable for long-term effects to develop. This, in turn, can largely affect the safety of civilian homes and the safety of their residents.
Mayor Alexander added, “If allowed to move forward, these powerlines could change Temecula forever. We will stand united, fight with everything we have, and make it a fight they will never forget. Our community and our future are worth fighting for.” While it may seem like this is only an issue for adults, this project may have long-term results that will largely impact the next generation, as they will inherit the consequences of today’s decisions. To join the fight against these adversities, sign the Change.org petition by scanning the QR code.
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