Media Advisory: Chula Vista One Step Closer to Bay Front Redevelopment SDG&E to Use Massive Helicopter to Dismantle Landmark Towers

2009-11-20 15:13:03 -

SAN DIEGO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/20/09 --

WHAT:        San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), local officials and
             environmental groups will help launch the revival of South Bay
             with the removal of the historic lattice steel transmission
             towers supporting the South Bay Power Plant. A leased Erickson
             Air-Crane helicopter will carefully remove, piece by piece,
             several transmission towers that stand about 12 stories high
             and run along a three-mile stretch of the bay front.

WHY:         In 2004, SDG&E and the city of Chula Vista entered into an
             agreement to embark on a series of projects that would help
             the city redevelop the 550-acre bay front property. These
             projects included undergrounding a 138-kilovolt transmission
             line and the removal of the steel transmission towers. SDG&E
             has worked diligently with the city of Chula Vista and the
             Unified Port of San Diego toward a solution that would meet
             the California Independent System Operator's conditions to
             ensure local electric reliability would not be adversely
             affected by the dismantling of the towers.

WHEN:        Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, 11 a.m.

WHERE:       Chula Vista Nature Center
             Park and Ride Area
             1000 Gunpowder Point Dr.
             Chula Vista, Calif.

WHO:         Debra L. Reed, president and chief executive officer, SDG&E
             David L. Geier, vice president of electric transmission and
              distribution, SDG&E
             Cheryl Cox, mayor of Chula Vista

VISUALS:     An Air-Crane helicopter will remove several steel transmission
             towers along the bay from the Sweetwater River to the South
             Bay Power Plant switchyard.

DIRECTIONS:  From Interstate 5: Exit "E" Street and head west. Proceed into
             the Chula Vista Nature Center's Park and Ride area.

CONTACT:
Raul Gordillo/Jennifer Ramp
San Diego Gas & Electric
(877) 866-2066 (media line)