Riverside County Residents Upset About Power Line Survey TEMECULA, Calif. (AP) 6.25.01, 10:40a -- Residents who live along a proposed power line through southwestern Riverside County are infuriated that San Diego Gas & Electric Co. officials would step foot on their property to conduct land surveys without asking first.

The company recently mailed letters to residents who may be affected by the proposed 31-mile power line that will connect its grid to a unit operated by Southern California Edison. The letter informed residents that crews would be conducting the surveys over the next few months.

Company officials said they are protected by law to survey the land. But opponents said it is unclear if the company has access to the property because legal questions have been raised about the utility's eminent domain powers.

Some residents have threatened to call police if SDG&E officials come on their property.

"I was furious," said Eve Brehm, 73, who lives in the affected area. "They haven't bought it yet (her land) and they don't have my permission to be out there."

Company officials said the letters are giving residents proper notification for work that needs to be done.

"We are doing everything we can to avoid any inconvenience to property owners," said SDG&E spokeswoman Jacqueline Howells. "There is no legal requirement for notification, but we sent the letters out as a courtesy to keep the property owners informed."

-- PHO (owennos@bigfoot.com), June 26, 2001

Answers

"Put it over there, NIMBY"

-- PHO (owennos@bigfoot.com), June 27, 2001.