The Sunrise Powerlink: Our Link to a Clean and Reliable Energy Future
Ivy Plus Event
Join your fellow Ivy-Plus Alumni at this educational event on one of our city's biggest renewable energy projects.
DATE: Wednesday, April 24, 2013
TIME: 6:00 PM Social Hour, light hors d'oeuvres served ; 7:00 PM Lecture
PLACE: SDG&E Energy Innovation Center; 4760 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92117
PRICE: $12.00
DRESS CODE: Business Casual
RESERVATIONS: By Thursday, April 18, 2013 at http://sunrise-powerlink.eventbrite.com
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
In 2000, Laura joined the public affairs division of San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) as a public affairs manager. In 2004,
she was selected by senior management to serve as the project manager for the Sunrise Powerlink, the company’s single
largest infrastructure project. Laura was responsible for the public outreach, communications strategy, and regulatory
approval of the Sunrise Powerlink, a $1.883 billion dollar electric transmission line. This critically needed line was
completed and put into service in June 2012 and is delivering reliable, renewable and affordable power to the San Diego
and Southern Orange County regions. Laura is currently the Director of Outreach and Coordination for SDG&E’s Electric
Major Projects including the East County (ECO) Substation project, a new 500,000-volt electric substation that will
provide enhanced reliability and access to renewable energy to San Diego’s backcountry. Prior to joining SDG&E, Laura
served as Chief of Staff to former San Diego City Council Member Barbara Warden. Laura is a graduate of San Diego
State University.
ABOUT THE PRESENTATION:
Utilizing SDG&E’s Sunrise Powerlink as an example, this presentation will examine the challenges and successes of siting,
obtaining regulatory approval and construction of a major electric transmission line in California. New transmission in
California is needed to accommodate a rapidly-growing renewable energy sector, meet the State’s renewable energy
mandates and provide additional reliability to an ever-growing customer base. By examining the challenges posed from
opposition groups, political issues, environmental considerations, property owners and often competing interests of
regulatory agencies, this presentation will provide a background and highlight best practices in successfully moving a
major transmission project from the drawing board through construction and ultimately energization. Josh Gerber, a
lead engineer and Manager for Smart Grid at San Diego Gas & Electric, will be on hand for additional technical
discussions.