In response to concerns regarding unsightly and dangerous above-ground transmission lines, the City of Norco is building a coalition to support undergrounding the Riverside Transmission Reliability Project (RTRP), which will construct above-ground transmission lines in a fire-prone area along Norco’s portion of the Santa Ana River. Residents and community organizations are encouraged to sign and submit letters of support (see below for template).

Since 2017, the City of Norco has communicated its concerns about the RTRP and has publicly opposed the construction of any above-ground transmission lines in and around River Trails Park along the Santa Ana River, as well as in adjacent neighborhoods outside of Norco. The RTRP was proposed to provide the City of Riverside with additional power capacity to serve existing and projected electrical demand, however the approved above-ground transmission lines present hazards to Norco, including the ever-growing threat of catastrophic wind-driven wildfires, the impacts on disadvantaged communities, and the harm to environmental aesthetics, including the destruction of views along and around the Santa Ana River recreational areas.

“We continue to see how above-ground transmission lines lead to devastating and deadly wildfires in small, wind-prone and fire-prone communities like Norco,” stated Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Bash. “We are calling on our partners to advocate for the proactive, full undergrounding of this project to prevent potential tragedies and protect our community for future generations.”

In January 2023, the Riverside City Council approved the formation of a multi-agency Working Group, which included the City of Norco, to pursue state and federal funding to underground the entirety of the transmission lines, including the project area in Norco. The City of Norco continues to work with its partners to pursue government funding, however an independent analysis concluded that undergrounding the project would be cost-effective, totaling no more than $1 per rate payer per year.

“Public safety should be the main concern of this conversation,” stated Council Member Greg Newton. “The cost of undergrounding this project doesn’t compare to the devastation that follows a preventable catastrophe. It’s never too late to do the right thing.”

With the support of its coalition, the City of Norco plans to file a petition with the California Public Utilities Commission to underground the RTRP.

To support Norco’s coalition to underground the Riverside Transmission Reliability Project, email info@ci.norco.ca.us.

For media inquiries, contact the Communications Division at comm@ci.norco.ca.us.

Letter of Support Templates

Citizen Letter of Support Template - Submit via email to info@ci.norco.ca.us

City of Norco Correspondence

Letter of Support of RTRP Working Group & Undergrounding (January 2023)

Letter of Support of RTRP Hybrid Alternative & Undergrounding (November 2022)

Letter of Opposition of RTRP (July 2021)

Letter of Opposition of RTRP (November 2019)

Letter of Opposition of RTRP (February 2017)