The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Board of Directors is the closest elected body that may approve the TANC SMUD powerline proposal.
The next SMUD Board meeting may be the only evening opportunity you will have to directly tell the SMUD Board your concerns before the end of the public “EIR/EIS Scoping” deadline on May 31 (though they will still not be a part of the official “scoping” record.)
You will have 3 minutes to speak during the Public Comment period. At this meeting your comments will be respected, recorded, and televised
Date: May 7, 2009
Time: 6:00 PM (Public Comments are at the beginning of the meeting. Don’t be late!)
Where: SMUD Headquarters at 6201 “S” Street, Sacramento, CA 95817
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Tell your story: Be personal, and passion is okay. This is an issue where both logic and feeling are important. It’s affecting people’s lives, and is causing anxiety and fear.
2. Be respectful: SMUD is a public utility with an elected board accountable to their constituents. SMUD generally has a strong, commendable record and a commitment to renewable energy.
3. Do be brief: Do not exceed the 3 minutes. Please, take less time if you can.
4. Refer to others: It is okay to refer to comments from others and to say that they have mentioned your concerns and that you share them.
5. Be respectful: Yes, I said this. Remember that the SMUD Board, while misguided on this issue, has generally not been anti-environment or anti-community, and needs to understand and agree with your views.
Additional Information can be found at: Tuleyome is a conservation organization based in Woodland
Underground the powerline. Although initially more expensive in capital costs, the long-term benefits to public health (potential EMF effects), visual resources, avian mortality, fire hazards, etc., are worth the initial investment. Underground the line in the existing utility right-of-way. There is a well established method for undergrounding and serving power lines. Look around your suburban residential neighborhoods, where are the power lines?