The Power to Improve Our Environment
We do more than energy. We study, plan, collaborate and implement impactful solutions to improve local waterways, regional air quality and natural habitats.
For information about our approach to sustainability, visit our Sustainability page.
Visit our Community Partners & Projects page to learn about how we're partnering with nearly 100 environmental non-profit organizations.
Habitat Conservation
We have one of the of the most biodiverse regions in North America, filled with urban canyons, famous surf spots, scenic lagoons and rivers, and hundreds of acres of open space. We’re working hard to protect, restore and enhance these resources to create a healthy, thriving environment for generations to come.
Invasive Plant Removal
- Location: Cleveland National Forest off Highway 79 near Guatay Mountain
- Purpose: Remove non-native and invasive weeds that wreak havoc on the Sweetwater River watershed. This allows rare native oak tree species and wildflowers to thrive, creating an ideal habitat for the imperiled Hermes Copper Butterfly.
- Partner agency: U.S. Forest Service
Sunrise Powerlink Preservation Properties
- Location: Cleveland National Forest and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Purpose: Preserve 11,000 acres of habitat in San Diego and Imperial counties. This effort created sanctuaries for endangered and threatened species, and protected the Coastal California Gnatcatcher, Quino Checkerspot Butterfly, Arroyo Toad, Least Bell’s Vireo, Barefoot Banded Gecko, and the Peninsular Bighorn Sheep.
San Dieguito Wetlands
- Location: San Dieguito River Valley within the cities of Del Mar and San Diego
- Purpose: Restore 150 acre of wetlands that are now a fish nursery and refuge for migrating waterfowl.
The River Valley is one of the largest estuaries on the West Coast and home to more than 12 million fish and 200 bird species, including Least Terns, Belding's Savannah Sparrows, Light-Footed Clapper Rails, and Western Snowy Plovers.
Habitat & Species Preservation
Since 1995, we’ve preserved almost 12,200 acres of high-quality native habitats. These preserved streams, wetlands, grasslands, scrub and woodland habitats cover 28 unique properties and directly support some of the most threatened and endangered wildlife species in our region.
Stephens Kangaroo Rat
In 2017, while replacing wood power poles with steel power poles out east in the Cleveland National Forest we discovered rats – about 100 to be exact. These Stephens Kangaroo Rats were given a temporary “rat hotel” to keep them safe during construction. These little furry neighbors rested up and were released back to their burrows once our construction work was done.
Peninsular Bighorn Sheep
We think sheep should roam freely – especially Peninsular Bighorn Sheep. That’s why we bought them a nice plot of land (5,760 acres) when we were building the Sunrise Powerlink, which transports large amounts of renewable power to keep clean energy flowing in San Diego. The plot of land we bought was transferred to the State Parks in 2014, becoming part of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. But our work for the Bighorn Sheep didn’t stop there. We enhanced a natural spring within a palm tree oasis and since then, female Bighorn Sheep have been seen using the spring.
Preserving the Thornmint Plant
We’re enhancing the survival of the endangered San Diego Thornmint in two locations by controlling non-native species that make it difficult for this species to survive in its natural environment. One area in Alpine is accessible by the public and the other is on U.S. Forest Service managed lands near the Viejas Casino & Resort. Combined the total area is roughly 42 acres. Not only does the control of non-native species in these areas help this plant species, it also reduces fire fuel loads.
Habitat Restoration Creates New Growth
Leave it better than how we found it – that’s our motto. Perhaps the best example of this is our expansive habitat restoration program that allowed us to salvage top soil, vegetation biomass and native cacti (for later transplantation) before construction of the Sunrise Powerlink. The results have been excellent, with most sites enhanced or restored to a species diversity and plant cover greater than existed prior to disturbance, typically within five years or less – even during extended drought years.
Read and see photos about other successful restoration efforts.
Useful Links
Understand our approach to sustainability and what we're doing to ensure a sustainable future.
Community Partners and Projects
Learn how we collaborate with nearly 100 environmental non-profit organizations.