Tag: electricity

– Interview with PG&E on electrical substation upgrades in Watsonville – 7/10/26, “Community Matters” on KSCO

See https://pajaronian.com/pge-begins-major-power-system-upgrade-in-south-santa-cruz-county/
and the Watsonville link below for more information on the project

From Becky Steinbruner, Host of Community Matters

This Friday’s Guest on “Community Matters” (2pm Pacific Time) is Mr. Michael Medeiros, VP of Project Development for PG&E.  He will discuss the upgrades PG&E is planning for the Green Valley Substation on Minto Road in Watsonville, and also a project at the Metcalf Substation in Santa Clara County.
https://www.watsonville.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28422/PGE-Watsonville-Capacity-Project-Phase-1-NR

  • Why is this work necessary? 
  • What physical changes will the public see? 
  • How will it improve service?

LISTEN IN!   

Mr. Medeiros has requested no calls from the listeners.

That is AM 1080 on your radio or streaming live here:  KSCO – KSCO 1080 AM News Talk Radio In Santa Cruz

– PG&E to start major kV increase to electric grid corridors – south Santa Cruz County

Update 7/2/26:
Last week, one Santa Cruz County Supervisor’s office repeatedly reached out to PG&E for information on the project, but to date, PG&E has not responded to this county official.

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In a PG&E press release dated May 29, 2026, the company announced a “major power system upgrade” to south Santa Cruz County. PG&E will increase electrical capacity from 4 kV to 21 kV, and install higher capacity electrical cables above and below ground, transformers, and other equipment.

But in a notice to customers June 10, 2026 (p. 1, p. 2), PG&E gave no information on the planned changes, saying only that the company was replacing utility poles.

These upgrades appear to be linked to new battery energy storage (BESS) facilities planned near Watsonville on farmland and near a bird refuge, and another one next to Aptos High School, despite public objections.

All of this will come at an environmental price. And those who live near this equipment will be exposed to higher levels of EMF, which can cause health problems including leukemia.

The hazards of BESS and lack of public protections have been in sharp focus since the fires at the Moss Landing BESS in January and February 2024.

For information on health effects:
The Health Effects of EMF, ELF and Magnetic Fields from Power Lines and Electricity