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Go to Project History and CHA Concerns
Go to the Media Alert/Resolution to
Board of Supervisors
Go to How to Get Involved
Go to Reponse to PG&E Letter
Go to Flyer to Cow Hollow Neighbors -
Dec. 19, 2003
View EMF Fact Sheet
View Route Options
Project Update (as of July 2004)
The main feeder along Filbert is now energized and was finally
switched on via one of the newly installed, underground "primary"
switches located in the sidewalk at the northeast corner of
Filbert at Divisadero. PG&E "heated up" the
entire feeder from the substation on Bay Street, and did not
have to use that new overhead "riser" tap in front
of the Cow Hollow Woodworks on Steiner at Filbert as an interim
connect point as we surmised.
As expected, when PG&E energized the feeder, the EMF readings
registered an initial increase along the Filbert portion of
the feeder to an average range of .8 to 1.4mG. Some areas
at key locations (i.e. over underground switches, etc.) are
higher, but the fairly low initial readings are in line with
what we predicted and that is encouraging. Initially "energizing"
the new Lucas Feeder has not significantly added to the existing
EMF along North Filbert/East Lyon, but the line is very minimally
loaded now. We need to carefully monitor any changes as the
Lucas load is steadily increased over the next several months.
The windows at the Lucas buildings 1-4 are almost all installed
and I'd expect their electrical contractor to begin testing
the "permanent" electrical system very soon. They
will generally leave a majority of the lights, etc. on to
test the systems and we'll try to get another full set of
measurements along the feeder to coincide with the increased
load. The large, temporary transformers being used for all
of the "temporary construction service" to the Lucas
site are still in place and remain functional. Apparently,
they are not yet being supplied from the new main feeder.
The other "riser tap" (and transfer switch) at
the intersection of Lyon and Greenwich is still not complete
and the large set of 3 -1100kcm Aluminum cables are coiled
on the pole. Curiously, this existing wooden pole already
has a riser on it, which is, presumably, one of the existing
main primary feeds for the Presidio. It will be interesting
to see when/if this existing feed is removed, as combining
two feeders and switches on a single pole like that is generally
not considered the best design for prudent "outage prevention".
Also, along those lines, this "key" riser pole
is directly at the end of Greenwich and Lyon. This is a "T"
intersection for vehicle traffic and is also a tight left
turn and stopping point for the quite frequent #45 & #41
Muni Buses. Any unfortunate accident involving the pole could
leave the existing neighborhood exposed to a prolonged power
outage. With 2500-3000 new workers expected at Lucas and all
the new auto traffic that will result, perhaps the wisdom
of designing a key "riser" switch on this rather
vulnerable pole should have been more carefully considered
by PG&E.
The pad mounted "capacitor" (and its switch) is
installed just inside the Presidio wall on Lyon just North
of Filbert and is now operational and buzzing like crazy.
Also, a realtor from Hill & Co. did confirm to me that
the plan is for the Letterman Digital Arts Center buildings
to be "1/3" subleased.
Attached are a few photos of that "riser" mentioned
above at Lyon/Greenwich the first one shows the specifications
including the "25KV" rating.
Project Update (as of April 2004)
PG&E
has now completed the trenching and installation of the conduit
for the Lucas Powerline along North Point-Bay-Fillmore-Filbert-Lyon,
but Concerned Neighbors on Fillmore, Filbert, and Lyon Streets
and the Cow Hollow Association will continue to advocate for
the residents and small business owners in Cow Hollow, no
matter how long it takes.
The ill-conceived electric distribution project through a
densely populated neighborhood to serve an industry located
inside the federal Presidio national park, Lucasfilm Ltd.'s
Letterman Digital Arts Center (LDAC), is a result of PG&E's
poor planning, the Presidio Trust's passive disengagement,
and the past unwillingness or inability of City agencies to
exercise effective oversight. We continue our written and
personal contact with the California Public Utility Commission,
PG&E, Lucasfilm Ltd., the Presidio Trust, Department of
Public Works, Mayor Gavin Newsom, San Francisco Supervisors,
and the Media.
The Concerned Neighbors on Fillmore, Filbert, and Lyon Streets
are requesting the following:
CPUC
1. Conduct a one-day hearing before a PUC examiner to review and
discuss the Powerline and alternatives to the route.
2. Conduct an audit to insure that the most advanced and protective
shielding and wire configuration techniques will be utilized along
the right of way for the Lucas Powerline.
3. Stop work on the Lucas Powerline Project before any wire is
installed in the conduits on the grounds that PG&E has failed
to coordinate with the City and County of San Francisco as called
for in Board Resolution 817-03 (We have made a formal written
request to the CPUC on February 20, 2004).
PG&E
1. Stop replying to our requests for specific, technical information
with vague, uninformative
and/or evasive answers.
2. Hold a public meeting, along with Lucasfilm Ltd. to allow for
open review and public participation in the planning of the selected
route and consideration of alternatives, the study of public health
and safety issues, and the mitigation of such risks. Given the
proximity of the Project's powerlines to homes (many of which
are occupied by young children), shops and a school, and the lack
of any public information regarding alternatives or mitigation
measures, we feel we have raised legitimate concerns as to public
safety. PG&E has ignored our repeated requests and the City
and County of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors Resolution
817-03 (Unanimously adopted by the Board on December 16, 2003,
approved and signed by Mayor Brown on December 19, 2003, and supported
by the Cow Hollow Association) for:
3. Coordinate an audit by the CPUC to insure that the most advanced
and protective shielding and wire configuration techniques will
be utilized along the right of way for the Lucas Powerline. At
the 1/15/04 Safety Meeting with DPW, PG&E, UCC, SFPD, and
neighbors, PG&E's Project Manager Gary Tognozzi offered to
have PG&E coordinate the CPUC audit after we asked questions
about what is actually going to be placed in the street.
4. Re-locate the "splice box" on Filbert Street at Broderick
from the sidewalk onto the street, as all the other boxes were
installed.
Lucasfilm Ltd.
1. Hold a public meeting, along with PG&E.
2. Explain why Lucasfilm Ltd. hired PG&E to provide all of
its electricity, instead of pursuing "greener" alternatives.
3. Explain why Lucasfilm Ltd., when made aware of the community's
concern with the powerline, took no steps to put the Project on
hold so that alternatives could be considered.
Presidio Trust
1. Create an Energy Master Plan for the Presidio that is in keeping
with the national park's "green" principles of new construction,
including in-house and alternative sources of power, limiting
traditional energy sources, and energy conversation.
2. Disclose why the Environmental Impact Statement prepared for
the Park and the Lucasfilm Ltd. Center (LDAC) did not include
the Centers electrical requirements.
3. Construct the needed electrical capacitor(s) in the Presidio
vs. San Francisco, as has been indicated would occur.
DPW
1. Re-write the Public Works Code to address new feeder line construction
(vs. upgrading/rehabilitating existing wiring) through existing
densely populated neighborhoods - public notice, participation,
disclosure of facts, and mitigation of health and safety risks.
2. Insure that construction projects of this magnitude are conducted
safely, eliminating the need for citizens to request inspections
and safety meetings.
Mayor Newsom
Continue the good work he started by sponsoring the Resolution
817-03 to bring PG&E and Lucasfilm Ltd. to the table and meet
with the impacted residents and small business owners.
SF Supervisors
Pressure PG&E and Lucasfilm Ltd. to follow the adopted Resolution
817-03 and participate in a public meeting to discuss with the
residents and small business owners in Cow Hollow the planning
and future impacts of the Lucas Powerline.
Media
Encourage them to investigate and cover the Lucas Powerline story.
Our basic
questions still remain, which include:
· How was the selected route chosen over other potential
routes, noting that the substation is one block from the northern
waterfront and open space that connects directly with the Presidio?
· Why did the Presidio Trust EIS exclude the Letterman
Digital Arts Complex electrical requirements?
· Where is the Presidio Trust's short and long term Energy
Master Plan?
· Why are the City of SF and its residents bearing the
brunt of the energy project serving the federal government's national
park?
For those in Cow Hollow on the Lucas Powerline (Lyon, Filbert,
Fillmore):
Please contact PG&E's Bill Gray at 925.866.5386 and have the
EMFs (Electric and Magnetic Fields) measured in and around your
residence, considering these locations only:
· the street facing rooms of your house
· the front yard measured at the front building wall
· at the edge of any planter
· at the curb
Please email your results to: brookesampson@yahoo.com
To learn more
about the Lucas Powerline, check our website at http://www.cowhollowassociation.org/Lucasnewsletter.shtml
and send an email to stoppge@yahoogroups.com
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