Transcript:

NEWTON: Hi Norco! It’s been a short while since our last update on the Riverside Transmission Reliability Project, and that’s because a lot has been happening behind the scenes. Over the past month, your City Council has been hard at work—meeting with state legislators, CPUC officials, and other key decision-makers to ensure Norco’s voice is heard at every level.

GRUNDMEYER: First, we want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU. Your active engagement, through sending emails, sharing posts on social media, wearing your yellow t-shirts, and speaking at the CPUC meeting in Bellflower, has made a real difference.

BASH: Because of your efforts, all five CPUC Commissioners agreed to meet directly with our City Council to hear our community’s concerns about the RTRP. These meetings were unprecedented and were the first opportunity we’ve had to speak directly to decision-makers—and it happened because of your support.

SULLIVAN: We are now working with each Commissioner’s office to schedule in-person site tours of the RTRP project area. We believe that seeing is believing, and we want each Commissioner to see firsthand what’s at stake for Norco. You can help us extend the invitation by emailing the Commissioners using the template available at burythewires.org.

GRUNDMEYER: We’re encouraged that our voices are being heard. At the same time, it’s important that we share with you what’s happening next. Southern California Edison has submitted an application for a grading permit in the project area where the above-ground transmission tower was approved by the CPUC. The City Council continues to advocate for undergrounding the RTRP in Norco, however the City as a government agency is legally required to issue this grading permit and allow Southern California Edison to proceed with site preparation and the overhead design unless a project modification is approved by the CPUC.

BOWEN: At this time, we have not received a construction schedule from Southern California Edison. We’re sharing this update now because it’s important that the community is informed before any activity begins in the project area.
SULLIVAN: This permit approval is an administrative obligation—not an endorsement. The Norco City Council remains firmly opposed to the overhead transmission lines and continues to advocate for undergrounding the RTRP using every resource and channel available to us.

BASH: As currently proposed, the RTRP would run high-voltage transmission lines over our riverbed—an area filled with flammable vegetation and known for strong Santa Ana Winds. We continue to stress that our fight isn’t just about power lines. It’s about wildfire risk. It’s about protecting the safety of our residents, their animals and their property.
BOWEN: We’ve seen the devastation caused by fires in nearby communities. And as we approach the one-year anniversary of the Los Angeles fires this January, our commitment to this cause is stronger than ever.

GRUNDMEYER: This fight has been long, and while there’s no quick fix, your City Council is committed for the long haul. Changing the design of an approved transmission line project is a complex and lengthy process—but we are actively pursuing every possible path to undergrounding because we’re not backing down. Your continued support is what keeps this movement alive. So please:

• Keep your yard signs up
• Keep wearing your t-shirts
• Keep sending emails
• Keep sharing on social media; and
• Keep spreading the word about Norco’s efforts to underground this project

NEWTON: Your City Council is not giving up this fight and our work will continue in the new year. We are determined to keep advocating and building support for undergrounding the RTRP in Norco. And, we will make sure you are informed and involved at every opportunity. This progress would not have been possible without your participation, and your continued involvement is essential to making sure that safety starts underground.

Safety starts underground.
Stop the fires. Bury the wires.