A proposed 500-kilovolt transmission line could bring another major energy infrastructure fight to East County.

The Golden Pacific Powerlink would run from Imperial County through San Diego’s East County and North County, including Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, before heading northeast near Santa Ysabel and Warner Springs and continuing toward Riverside and Orange counties, according to East County Magazine.

SDG&E plans to hold four virtual open houses on May 12 and May 14, with sessions at noon and 5:30 p.m. both days. The utility told East County Magazine the sessions will share the same information and are intended to give residents multiple opportunities to learn about the proposal and provide early feedback.

The project does not run through Santee, but it matters locally because major transmission projects can affect wildfire risk, electricity reliability, viewsheds, public lands and long-term energy costs across the county. East County residents may also remember the controversy over the Sunrise Powerlink route, which drew major pushback over impacts to Anza-Borrego.

SDG&E said more information and open house registration are available through its Golden Pacific Powerlink project website. Additional in-person meetings are expected later this year before the formal regulatory process begins.