Grassroots Coalition to Rally July 31 Against Proposed 200-Foot High-Voltage Power Line Through Temecula

Aerial panorama of the Temecula Valley — hot air balloons drifting over vineyards and open hillsides that SDG&E's Golden Pacific Powerlink would cross.

Media Invited for On-Site Interviews, Visuals, and Community Briefing as Residents Fight SDG&E's Proposed "Golden Pacific Powerlink" Project

TEMECULA, California – July 23, 2026 – Save Temecula, a grassroots community coalition, will host a major public rally on Friday, July 31, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Temecula Duck Pond to protest San Diego Gas & Electric's (SDG&E) proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink.

The 144-mile, high-voltage transmission project is intended to route massive 500-kV overhead lines on 200-foot-tall towers to transport power between the Imperial Valley, San Diego County, and the LA Basin. It provides no energy for Temecula and forces local residents to shoulder the catastrophic fire, environmental, and economic risks. The project proposes to cut directly through iconic and residential corridors including Temecula Parkway, State Route 79 South, Temecula Creek, the Santa Margarita River, and Pechanga tribal land.

"This isn't just a power line," said Shal Renfro, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer of Save Temecula. "It's unprecedented industrial infrastructure, and it poses an existential threat to every family, home, business, and vineyard in Temecula. SDG&E plans to install 20-story steel towers in our dry hillsides and creek beds, crippling firefighting capability, threatening critical evacuation routes and cutting through ancestral Pechanga lands. We've stopped high-risk projects before, like the Valley-Rainbow Interconnect project, which was defeated in 2002. With a united front, we can compel the CPUC to protect our community once again."

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will have the final say on whether the project goes forward after formally reviewing SDG&E's application, which is expected to be submitted before the end of the year.

"Progress should never come at the expense of the people it claims to serve," said Mark Winkler, President of Save Temecula. "We don't question the necessity of any utility company providing clean and responsible power needs for communities, but we will not tolerate, nor should anyone tolerate, any subversive assault to exert power over them. We are making it clear today: Temecula will not be sacrificed for convenience or corporate strategy."

Why This Matters to Local & Regional Media

Heightened Wildfire Hazard: Towers in high-risk brush zones hamper firefighting and threaten emergency evacuation routes for thousands of local residents.
Cultural & Environmental Destruction: The route carves through sensitive habitats along Temecula Creek and the Santa Margarita River, while directly threatening ancestral Pechanga lands.
Economic Threat to Residents and Local Economy: Wildfires and the introduction of industrial infrastructure will cause long-term damage to home values, tourism, and Temecula Valley Wine Country's local economy.
Community Resistance History: Organizers highlight previous grassroots victories, including the defeat of the Valley-Rainbow transmission line and the Green Path North corridor, as proof that public opposition sways state regulators.

Event & Media Details

WHAT: Community Rally Against SDG&E's Golden Pacific Powerlink Project hosted by Save Temecula
WHEN: Friday, July 31, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Peak rush-hour visibility)
WHERE: Temecula Duck Pond, 28250 Ynez Rd, Temecula, CA 92591 (Corner of Rancho California Rd. & Ynez Rd.)

Visuals and Photo Opps

Hundreds of residents gathered with colorful signs and matching bright yellow "Save Temecula" shirts
High-visibility banner displays along one of Temecula's busiest intersections

Interview Opportunities

Mark Winkler, President, Save Temecula
Impacted local homeowners, business leaders, and community organizers
B-roll, project map overlays, and high-resolution digital assets available upon request

About Save Temecula

Save Temecula is a grassroots coalition of residents, business owners, and community advocates dedicated to preserving the safety, natural beauty, cultural heritage, and economic vitality of the Temecula Valley by stopping SDG&E's proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink. The coalition has become a major local movement, bringing together residents, neighborhood groups, and city officials. For more information or to view project maps, visit www.savetemecula.org.

Media Contact Norma Marlowe, PR Representative norma@visittemeculavalley.com