For Immediate Release: September 18, 2001                 CA-610-01-82
Contact:  Doran Sanchez (909) 697-5220; E-MAIL: dasanche@ca.blm.gov

Environmental Document for Proposed Power Lines Project
Available for Public Review

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Department of Energy have released a joint environmental assessment (EA) analyzing the construction of the proposed Baja California Power and Sempra Energy Resources power lines project.

Baja California Power, Inc (BCP) and Sempra Energy Resources (SER) have applied for permits to construct, operate, maintain, and connect electric transmission facilities across the United States border with Mexico.  BCP and SER each would construct double circuit 230,000-volt transmission lines on steel towers from new merchant powerplants being constructed in Mexico, which would extend approximately six miles into California on BLM-managed public lands to San Diego Gas and Electric Company's Imperial Valley Substation.

If approved, the Department of Energy would issue permits authorizing the construction and operation the power lines.  BLM would issue rights-of-way authorizing construction of the transmission lines and facilities on BLM-managed public lands in Imperial County.

Copies of the EA (BLM reference numbers CA-42892 and CA-42893; DOE/EA-1391) are available at BLM's El Centro Field Office, located at1661 So. 4^th Street, El Centro, CA 92243.  Public comments on the EA must be received on or before October 9, 2001.

Written comments may be submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy, Attn: Ellen Russell, NEPA Document Manager, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Fossil Energy, FE-27, 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington D.C. 20485 and Lynda Kastoll, BLM Project Manager in the El Centro Field Office at the above address.  Comments also may be transmitted by electronic mail to Ellen.Russell@hq.doe.gov and lkastoll@ca.blm.gov.

For more information contact Lynda Kastoll at (760) 337-4421.

-BLM-

California Desert District Office - 6221 Box Springs Blvd, Riverside, California - (909) 697-5220