EMF Questions Answered
by Dale Tyler

Over the past week or two, there has been a lot of discussion on the Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) issue. Although there are transmission lines in other parts of the city, the Southern California Edison (SCE) right-of-way along Olympiad and other streets, also known as the Viejo Systems Project, is the focus of the current concern. One might ask, “Why now?” and “What is the truth about EMF from the new line?”

Some background might help to improve the understanding of this issue. In 2004 and 2005, SCE added one additional 66kV circuit to two existing 220kV circuits and two 66kV circuits in the same right-of-way. Part of the agreement SCE made with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) was to reduce the level of EMFs at the edge of SCE's property by changing the physical arrangement of the circuits on the poles that carry the circuits. SCE replaced 19 Tubular Steel Poles (TSP) with 13 larger H-frame structures to carry the two existing 66kV lines and the new 66kV line, plus space for one more for future expansion. Because the H-frames are physically different from the old TSPs, SCE believed that they could reduce EMFs from the overall collection of wires to significantly less than the EMF level prior to 2004. Unfortunately, there were no accurate measurements recorded for the EMF levels at the edge of the right-of-way prior to 2004.

In order to use measurements for comparison with the conditions that exist now, measurements must be carefully controlled. EMFs vary widely in different locations, depending on distance from the wires, amount of electricity being carried in the wires, and position the EMF measuring device is held in with respect to the wires and ground. One citizen provided a total of eight measurements to the City of Mission Viejo at the July 3, 2006, City Council meeting. These measurements were taken in 7/2005 and 6/2006 at similar times of day and at similar ambient temperature (which might mean the amount of electricity being carried was similar). Unfortunately, the measurements were taken directly under the towers, which bears no relation to the EMF at the edge of the right-of-way. The 2006 measurements were from 18 percent to 51 percent higher than the reading taken in 2005 before the new lines were installed. This brings into question SCE's promise to reduce EMFs.

However, models constructed by FMS, backed up by careful field measurements, seem to show the levels of EMFs at the edge of the right-of-way have been reduced by up to 75 percent, so the measurements under the poles seem to not be representative of the much more important edge of right-of-way EMF values. Sage claims that the EMF levels are higher now than before the project, but offers no models or other mechanism to support their assumption. Sage may be simply counting the wires (12 before vs. 15 after) and assuming that is the way to measure EMF changes. However, the arrangement of the wires on the poles is critical to reducing EMFs by canceling one wire's EMF field with another out-of-phase wire. It may even be true that just burying the one new 66kV circuit (three wires) as demanded by No Overhead Powerlines by Edison (N.O.P.E.) might actually increase EMFs at ground level above the trench and do nothing to reduce the EMF output of the preexisting wires.

Although N.O.P.E. was led in 2004 by Frank Ury, who claims to be an engineer, it is clear that he missed his classes on magnetic field analysis. The use of cross-phase cancellation is a widely used technique for reducing EMFs. In fact, it was recently discovered that SCE incorrectly phased the circuits on the poles, and when they changed the phasing to that specified in the project plans, EMFs dropped dramatically.

So why is this issue coming back to haunt us now? The simple answer is the November 2008 City Council elections. Although the City of Mission Viejo has no authority whatsoever to regulate SCE and must defer to the CPUC for all decisions about electrical power lines, two prospective candidates for the City Council have started to make noise on this issue.

One candidate is Frank Ury, who failed to stop the power line project in 2004 by hiring one of his friends as the N.O.P.E. representative in front of the CPUC. This attorney ended up missing filing deadlines and was unable to muster the necessary arguments to force the lines to be buried. To be fair, the CPUC must have looked at the existing 12 lines and wondered why burying 3 lines would be a good use of money. N.O.P.E. probably wanted all of the lines buried, but it is hard to see why the CPUC would approve burying already existing lines, something they had not previously done.

Then we have Diane Greenwood, who is now the purported head of N.O.P.E. She wants to use the fear of EMFs to her advantage. Never mind that neither she nor N.O.P.E. has done anything for nearly two years. Now is time for action, according to her. The action she wants is your vote and nothing else will really happen.

Why is it unlikely that Diane and N.O.P.E. will have any effect on the CPUC? It is because there is no sound evidence of any increase in EMFs from the project and some good evidence of decreases. Thus, the conditions that SCE received approval for have been met, and there is no basis in law or equity for making SCE and all of its ratepayers spend millions of dollars to appease a few super-concerned homeowners. Since there is almost no change for the CPUC to act on, this effort will simply result in spending up to $500K in legal fees to Bill Curley's firm to make a case to the CPUC. Diane and Frank hope that this “effort to be influential” will result in more votes for their campaigns, despite wasting taxpayer dollars.

Don't be fooled by the scare tactics of Greenwood and Ury. If you are concerned about EMFs, there is a lot you can do to reduce your own exposures. First, have proper and accurate measurements taken within and around your home. Remember that EMFs vary quite a bit, up to 500 percent with different levels of electrical usage, so multiple measurements at different times should be made. An average value over a week or two in the spring or fall would probably be best. Next, identify where highest levels of EMFs are coming from and take steps to shield those sources. Some shielding is very inexpensive and quite effective. If you find that the levels are still too high for your personal comfort, then you need to consider moving to a location further away from whatever source is causing your concern. Considering that the average level in houses is considered to be less than 1 mG for the United States as a whole, I would bet that most houses in Mission Viejo, even those somewhat close to the power lines, are near 1 mG as well. Since there is no scientifically settled “safe maximum value” for EMFs, you will have to depend on your own level of comfort.

Get the facts about your house from an unbiased reading – then decide for yourself. Do not be scared by others' beliefs.

Rest of the Story on MacLean
Editorial staff

The Feb. 16 Orange County Register published an article about an Oct. 26 altercation at UCI involving Councilman Lance MacLean. The Register’s version is an understatement when compared with an online article by Taylor Hudson in New University, http://www.newuniversity.org/checkDB.php?id=6596. Register writers Greg Hardesty, Erika Ritchie and John Crandall described a scuffle, stating MacLean pinned a fellow employee against a wall.

Hudson writes in the New University article, “MacLean pinned a fellow UCI employee against the wall and grabbed his neck before nearby police officers wrestled him to the ground.”

Hudson provides detail from the UCI police report describing the Oct. 26 altercation:

According to the report, four police officers were standing outside the ballroom assigned to the event at about 11:15 p.m., when MacLean, visibly upset, entered the area saying, “Where the [expletive] is Jack. Jack locked up all the restroom [sic] upstairs and I have people peeing all over the place. You need to tell Jack to open the [expletive] doors.”

MacLean then spotted the victim, identified as Jack McManus, director of UCI Hospitality and Dining Services, and began yelling at him. After a short verbal altercation, MacLean then placed his hands around McManus’ neck and shoved him against the wall, then began to lift him up by the neck.

The four nearby officers intervened and ordered MacLean to let go, but he refused, prompting them to forcibly separate the two. MacLean, who is 6-feet-5-inches and 200 pounds according to the police report, resisted their orders several times and continued to struggle until an officer directed him to a prone position and handcuffed him.

An updated version of the OC Register’s story was published in the Feb. 29 Saddleback Valley News. MacLean publicly apologized for his Oct. 26 actions during his council comments at the end of the Feb. 18 council meeting.

CUSD Holds Town Hall Meeting
Editorial staff

Approximately 135 people attended CUSD’s Feb. 27 town hall meeting at Capo High School in Mission Viejo. Supt. Woodrow Carter spoke about the district’s woes, saying “we did not create” the financial crisis. When he began taking questions, a parent challenged the remark, pointing to CUSD’s deficit spending in five of the last six years.

Carter also said, “A year ago, the district was backstroking in money.” He should have said CUSD ended up in the red last year despite receiving an unprecedented amount of money from the state. Any implication the district was awash with cash should trigger questions on why schools like Newhart were neglected.

Carter’s presentation included his “wheel of misfortune” pie chart of budget cuts. He’s frequently promoting this phrase as if the shortfall were created by a stroke of bad luck. During remarks from the audience, a parent disagreed with Carter’s wheel scenario, saying his children would escape misfortune by attending a private school next year.

As for statewide cuts, Carter said other districts have similar problems. He said Saddleback Valley USD is facing “larger cuts proportionately.” Saddleback facilities, however, weren’t falling apart before the state’s problems became evident, and it hadn’t made comparable cuts the year before. Many factors should be considered when making comparisons, and those closely following CUSD say it is worse off than any nearby district.

Audience members presented far better ideas than they heard from the superintendent. Several people asked for a return to basics with emphasis on academics instead of extracurricular frills. The “Character” program received mention as an activity that could be eliminated. A contingent of bus drivers offered ideas to prevent cutting bus services. One driver said the district transports 8,500 students, and he suggested adjusting fees and redefining which students can ride the bus. He reminded everyone that reduced busing will result in more traffic problems for the entire community.

A parent suggested selling the new administration building as a cost-cutting measure. Carter responded, “We’re working on that,” but he added such a sale wouldn’t address the immediate shortfall. In a district with a bleak future, perhaps it’s just too unpleasant for the top administrator to think beyond the present. The parent said that the old administrative facilities are still being leased by the district, adding that administrators should make sacrifices on the same level as they’re inflicting on students.

An attendee said after the meeting, “Remarks from the parents rang true while the superintendent relied on spin. Carter ducked some questions he didn’t want to answer, saying it happened before his time. I noted one speaker in the audience who mentioned the b-word, a bond. The comment received no applause, but I believe the district will try and squeeze more money from taxpayers. I’m running out of patience for Carter, as he is defending the irresponsibility of the past and falling in with it. He still hasn’t figured out the old trustees will soon be gone.”

Another attendee said, “A few parents seem willing to debate each other over which programs should be cut. The district has thrived on getting parents to fight with each other. Let’s instead cut administrators and administrative support personnel to the bone. I am not here to debate what to take away from children.”

CUSD Update
Editorial staff

Supt. Woodrow Carter has decided not to sign the $324,950-a-year contract offered to him with a 5-2 vote on Feb. 25. He’ll instead stick with his interim contract pay of $245,000 base salary plus $11,000 in health benefits and a $10,200 car stipend.

After four days of criticism from the public, Carter rejected the contract on Thursday after accepting it on Tuesday. Some parents commented it shouldn’t have taken four days to do the right thing. Board members voted 5-2 on $27 million in budget cuts, which included layoffs of more than 400 employees, on the same night they decided to offer Carter a raise.

According to information released by the district, $27 million is the shortfall in state funding. The district was already $9 million short on its own. CUSD estimates the following year (2009-2010) will call for additional cutbacks. The old Fleming regime and the holdover trustees dug a deep hole, and the shell games finally caught up with them. Despite the financial crisis, the old trustees, Fleming loyalists and the new superintendent have tried to keep up appearances. They push papers in their partially empty Taj Mahal administration center and add amenities at San Juan Hills High School – their diamond by the dump.

CUSD just can’t stop overspending. In addition to another $8 million at SJHHS, the district is discussing hiring an architectural firm to oversee its Architectural Master Plan. The item includes no estimated costs and lacks essential parameters. Any architectural firm that would like to make a killing should get in line.

During the Feb. 27 superintendent’s presentation in Mission Viejo, a resident asked about the architectural item. The superintendent said no district employee has a background in architecture. Thus, he has recommended contracting for architectural services. Now that the district is short on funds to build anything or upgrade its current facilities, how did this become a priority? In case no one previously noticed the confusion on Feb. 27, the superintendent said classrooms might need remodeling to make room for more students as a result of having fewer teachers after layoffs. Did anyone consider that the cost of enlarging a classroom could exceed the cost of keeping a teacher on the payroll?

Cutbacks of teachers, Class Size Reduction and more than half of the bus routes are the worst possible ways to reduce spending. Why not start with eliminating nonessential administrators and support staff? The new high school doesn’t have enough students to justify keeping it open, but closing it escapes mention.

The chosen cost-cutting measures are the most painful – severely impacting the quality of education. Is the district setting up its constituents for a district-wide bond measure?

A parent posting on an Internet discussion board stated that bold and sweeping changes are needed quickly to save CUSD from its current mess. She added that parents and teachers will have to lead the way. The trustees continue to fail, and the score is now two reformers against five who refuse to get it.

Despite the lack of encouraging news, Mission Viejo residents can continue to be proud of Trustee Ellen Addonizio, a true reform advocate who is doing a stellar job for children, education and fiscal responsibility. If the recall effort succeeds in June to replace two old-guard trustees with reformers, Addonizio would be in the majority instead of losing every important battle.

The Buzz Column, March 1

Among contests in the California Primary in June, voters will elect Central Committee members for their respective parties. At least six Mission Viejo residents have pulled papers for the Republican Party Central Committee in Assembly District 71: incumbent John Williams and challengers Sally Connolly, Michael Ferrall, Ann Hagerty, Dorothy Wedel and Rick Reavis. At least three additional incumbents and two more challengers appear to be running, including Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, who terms out of office in November.

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An item on the March 3 council agenda could result in the prominent display of the words “In God We Trust” in the council chamber. If the council approves the item, how about displaying the motto in a spot where council members are looking directly at it? Put it in flashing lights for their benefit, just in case the motto has any influence on moral behavior. This city has also been peppered with “character words” with the implication it’s the community, not the council that has character defects.

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Another item the council will discuss on March 3 is a half-hearted voter initiative. It would require voter approval for zoning changes, but only for recreational or open-space land. Why not do it right? The initiative should include ALL rezoning issues. By limiting voter decisions to recreational or open-space land, it implies the council can be trusted on other rezoning issues, and that is profoundly wrong. The biggest problems have resulted from this council rezoning commercial space to high-density residential.

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Can this council be trusted with a voter initiative after selling out the residents on every other issue? Mission Viejo voters would also have to trust the inept city attorney to advise the council on an initiative. As good news, community activist Dale Tyler is proceeding with the Mission Viejo Right To Vote. All residents of Mission Viejo deserve to be protected from this city council.

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Reader response following the EMF presentation at the Feb. 18 council meeting: “What I observed was four Mission Viejo bullies trying to hijack the meeting. Diane Greenwood and her three campaigners act like schoolyard bullies stealing everyone’s lunch money. Will the city now have to pay for her council campaign by fighting a lawsuit over power lines?”

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Isn’t it interesting the power line issue only comes up prior to city elections? Councilman Frank Ury won a seat in 2004 by proclaiming he would get the lines buried. After winning his election, he didn’t mention the power lines again for more than three years. With his term ending this November, he would like to get in front of the issue again, but just long enough to get reelected. This is an IQ test for Mission Viejo voters.