Groups ask California to halt Sempra Sunrise line

By Bernie Woodall

LOS ANGELES, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Two environmental groups on Friday asked the California Public Utilities Commission for a rehearing of its decision last month to allow Sempra Energy (SRE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) to build the $2 billion Sunrise Powerlink transmission project.

The action comes two days after the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the California Supreme Court to review the utilities commission's decision. That environmental group was joined by the Sierra Club in Friday's petition to the California Public Utilities Commission.

Neither the state Supreme Court nor the commission has said if the Sunrise Powerlink will get a fresh hearing.

The Sunrise Powerlink has been one of the most controversial powerline projects in California history. The line would run 123 miles to northern San Diego County from Imperial County, which borders Mexico and Arizona. It would power about 650,000 homes.

Imperial County has much geothermal power potential, which Sempra says will be carried on Sunrise Powerlink.

Ileene Anderson of the Center for Biological Diversity said there is enough solar power and other renewable power resources near San Diego for the utility to develop and make Sunrise unnecessary.

Sempra said the petition to the California high court and state utility regulator was not a surprise. Sempra and its utility, San Diego Gas & Electric, do not expect the challenges to be successful and say Sunrise will still open in 2012.

"This action ... can only serve to delay development of renewables in our region, which is counter to state policy," said Sempra spokeswoman Jennifer Ramp.