What is SDG&E's proposed power line project in Temecula?

SDG&E (San Diego Gas & Electric) has proposed running large high-voltage transmission lines through the southern part of Temecula — generally along the Temecula Parkway corridor — to carry power from the El Centro desert area out to a new substation near the San Diego/Orange County coast. Here's the catch that has locals fired up: SDG&E doesn't even service Temecula. The city just happens to sit in the path, so it would get the towers and the downsides with essentially no benefit. The City of Temecula is actively fighting it, the final decision belongs to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and — good news — SDG&E has recently floated an alternative route that avoids Temecula entirely.

By Justin Short | September 24, 2026

There's a lot of information floating around about this, and not all of it is accurate. As someone who lives here, owns a home here, and sells real estate here, I wanted to lay out what's actually being proposed, where things stand, and what it means for local homeowners. Here's the full rundown — you can watch my explainer below.

What's actually being proposed

SDG&E is a San Diego gas and electric utility — importantly, it does not service the Temecula area. The company is trying to move power from a substation out in the El Centro area (the desert, far to the southeast) up to a new substation near the San Diego and Orange County border, in the San Onofre area. To connect those two points, the current proposal runs the line straight through Temecula. I explain the project and the "why" at 2:54.

These aren't the ordinary power lines you see threading through a neighborhood. They're the big, heavy-duty transmission towers — the massive ones you see marching along the freeway. Put simply, they'd be a significant eyesore.

Where the lines would go

The proposal routes the lines through the southern portion of Temecula, and the corridor centers on Temecula Parkway — one of the city's main roads and a freeway off-ramp. I walk through the route at 4:22. The exact official path isn't locked in, but as proposed it could run near residential and commercial areas along that corridor. If you live along it, you'd almost certainly notice.

Why the City — and residents — are opposing it

The core objection is fairness: the project delivers no benefit to the people who live here, while handing them all the consequences. Understandably, residents who are aware of it are largely opposed — there have been petitions and turnout at SDG&E's public forums.

The City of Temecula is building a formal case against it, raising concerns including: (I go through the City's case at 8:07)

• Increased wildfire risk

• Potential emergency-response delays

• Environmental impacts — to Temecula Creek, local wildlife, and tribal cultural resources

• Visual impacts, plus potential harm to tourism and wine country

• Noise impacts and possible effects on property values and existing neighborhoods

(For transparency: some residents have also raised health or "radiation" concerns. I honestly don't know whether there's validity to that, so I'm not going to state it as fact — I'm just noting it's part of the conversation.)

Who actually makes the decision?

This surprised me when I dug in: neither the City of Temecula nor SDG&E gets to make the final call. The decision rests with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the state body reviewing the proposal. I cover who decides at 7:30. So the City's job is to make the strongest possible case to the CPUC for why this shouldn't happen — which is exactly what it's doing.

Questions about how local issues like this could affect a specific home or neighborhood you're considering? That's the kind of on-the-ground context I give buyers and sellers every day. Reach out at TheShortRealEstateTeam.com or call/text (951) 634-9322.

The big recent development: an alternative route

Here's the most encouraging update. Over the last month or so, SDG&E has proposed an alternative route that does not run through the city of Temecula — one that runs further south through the hills instead. I explain the alternative route at 9:04. This wasn't originally on the table, and the fact that it's now being floated is a real sign that the City's pushback is making headway. The project may still need to happen somewhere, but the alternative would keep it out of Temecula.

What it means for homeowners and the market

I'll give you my honest real estate read. I get into the home-value question at 10:41. Even if the lines were installed, I don't personally think they'd meaningfully lower home values, and I don't think most buyers or sellers would make a decision based on them. That's my opinion as a full-time local agent, not a guarantee — every home and location is different.

Where I do think it matters is quality of life. Those towers would be unsightly and, in my view, would make the area a little less desirable to look at, even if the dollars-and-cents impact is limited. My honest bet is that the lines most likely won't end up running through the city: Temecula has significant resources and backing behind this fight, and the appearance of an alternative route suggests real progress. I hope the City keeps fighting the good fight and wins this one.

If you're new to the area or weighing where to buy, staying on top of local issues like this is part of the picture. My guide on moving to Temecula from another state covers the bigger relocation picture, my latest Temecula Valley market update tracks where prices are heading, and my Murrieta versus Menifee comparison helps if you're still choosing a city.

Frequently asked questions

What is SDG&E's proposed power line project in Temecula?

Large high-voltage transmission lines proposed through southern Temecula, generally along Temecula Parkway, to carry power from the El Centro desert area to a new coastal substation near the San Diego/Orange County border. SDG&E doesn't service Temecula — the city is just in the path.

Who decides whether it gets built?

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), not the City or SDG&E. The City is fighting the proposal, but the CPUC has the final say.

Would it hurt Temecula home values?

In my opinion as a local agent, likely not in a meaningful way — the bigger concern is quality of life and the visual impact. That's my professional opinion, not a guarantee.

The bottom line: SDG&E's proposal would route major transmission lines through southern Temecula for a project that benefits other areas, the City is fighting hard, the CPUC will ultimately decide, and a newly proposed alternative route that skips Temecula is a genuinely positive sign. If you want to help, voicing your opposition through the public process is the way to do it — and I'll keep you posted as this develops.

I live in Temecula and follow local issues like this closely. If you have questions about how anything happening in the area could affect your home or a move, call or text me at (951) 634-9322, or reach out at TheShortRealEstateTeam.com. Thank you!

About Justin Short

Justin Short is a local real estate agent who has lived in Temecula for over 25 years. A long-time top agent in the Temecula Valley, he has earned hundreds of 5-star reviews online helping buyers and sellers across Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, and Winchester navigate the market with confidence. Connect with Justin at TheShortRealEstateTeam.com.