They strongly oppose what Pacific, Gas and Electric calls The Central California Clean Energy Commission Project.
By 2013, PG&E is hoping to have completed a new power project that will stretch from West of Bakersfield to the foothills, northeast of Fresno.
It will end at a new, 50-acre power substation that will be constructed in one of three locations:
Watts Valley, Pittman Hill Road, or another location nearby.
It's a renewable energy project, PG&E officials say will provide the additional power needed for future growth of the Central Valley area, while working toward the state's clean, renewable energy goals.
"My blood pressure is up, yes, its up about 20 points," said angry Pittman Hill resident Chuck Kolbert.
He was joined to by some thirty supporters at the Fresno County Supervisors meeting this morning, all opposed to PG&E's plan.
They are part of the group called, "Save the Foothills," which is made up of residents from the Watts Valley and Pittman Hill Road area, near Auberry.
They strongly oppose what Pacific, Gas and Electric calls The Central California Clean Energy Commission Project.
Today, they wore their custom made t-shirts that read, "Clean energy... yes, Towers... no."
"Those people wanna tell me they're my friend, they're not. They are my enemies," said Kolbert.
Kolbert and others are upset with PG&E, in part because of what they claim they're being threatened with.
They say PG&E officials have threatened the use of eminent domain, if they choose not to sell their properties at fair market value once construction begins.
But PG&E officials say this project is in such the early planning stages, the issue of eminent domain hasn't even come up yet.
"Any suggestion that eminent domain is being implemented right now is absolutely ridiculous," said PG&E spokesman, Jeff Wright.
Today, some resident also voiced their concerns in regard to health risks associated with power lines, looking to an international study that suggests electric and magnetic fields from power lines put off class two carcinogens.
But PG&E denies the claims, saying that all initial studies have shown no health risks associated with projects like this.
"We would not move forward with a project like this if we felt it posed any health threat to the public," said Smith.
PG&E will submit its application and plan for approval to the California Public Utilities Commission next February.
PG&E hopes construction will begin in 2011 and the substation will be fully up and running sometime in 2013.
Click on the link to see Preston Phillips' report.
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