Substation, power lines topic of public hearing today

Residents will get a chance to express their views on a proposal to build an electrical substation on Olsen Road with power lines going through the Tierra Rejada greenbelt.

The state Public Utilities Commission will hold a public hearing on the substation proposal at 3 p.m. today, June 25, at the Palm Garden Hotel, Palm II Room, 495 N. Ventu Park Road, Thousand Oaks.

Demand for electricity in the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley and parts of unincorporated Ventura County is expected to exceed Edison's current operating capacity by the summer of 2011, making the substation vital, electric company officials claim.

Others are concerned about issues such as the environment, the health of their families and a decline in their property values due to power lines obstructing their views. The proposed 3½mile overhead subtransmission line would connect with two existing substations.

To review a copy of Edison's project, visit www.sce.com/ presidential.

—Nancy Needham