Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the environmental review of the proposed Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties. Southern California Edison (SCE) submitted an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for this project to the CPUC on June 29, 2007. SCE has also submitted an application for a Special Use authorization to the USDA Forest Service. The proposed project is subject to review under both the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This site provides access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA and NEPA review processes.
Background and Description
SCE has filed applications with the CPUC and the Forest Service to construct a series of transmission system improvements to deliver electricity from new wind energy projects in eastern Kern County to the Los Angeles Basin. The proposed Project would provide the electrical facilities necessary to integrate levels of new wind generation in excess of 700 megawatts (MW) and up to approximately 4,500 MW in the Tehachapi Wind Resource Area (TWRA).
For descriptive purposes, the proposed Project is separated into eight distinct segments, referred to as Segments 4 through 11. Segments 4 through 8, as well as Segments 10 and 11 of the proposed Project are transmission facilities, while Segment 9 addresses the addition and upgrade of substation facilities. The Project's major components include:
- Two new single-circuit 220-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines traveling approximately 4 miles over new right-of-way (ROW) from the Cottonwind Substation to the proposed new Whirlwind Substation (Segment 4).
- A new single-circuit 500-kV transmission line, initially energized to 220 kV, traveling approximately 16 miles over new ROW from the proposed new Whirlwind Substation to the existing Antelope Substation (Segment 4).
- A rebuild of approximately 18 miles of the existing Antelope-Vincent 220-kV transmission line and the existing Antelope-Mesa 220-kV transmission line to 500-kV standards over existing ROW between the existing Antelope Substation and the existing Vincent Substation (Segment 5).
- A rebuild of approximately 32 miles of existing 220-kV transmission line to 500-kV standards from existing Vincent Substation to the southern boundary of the Angeles National Forest (ANF). This segment includes the rebuild of approximately 27 miles of the existing Antelope-Mesa 220-kV transmission line and approximately 5 miles of the existing Rio Hondo-Vincent 220-kV No. 2 transmission line (Segment 6).
- A rebuild of approximately 16 miles of existing 220-kV transmission line to 500-kV standards from the southern boundary of the ANF to the existing Mesa Substation. This segment would replace the existing Antelope-Mesa 220-kV transmission line (Segment 7).
- A rebuild of approximately 33 miles of existing 220-kV transmission line to 500-kV standards from a point approximately 2 miles east of the existing Mesa Substation (the "San Gabriel Junction") to the existing Mira Loma Substation. This segment would also include the rebuild of approximately 7 miles of the existing Chino-Mira Loma No. 1 line from single-circuit to double-circuit 220-kV structures (Segment 8).
- Whirlwind Substation, a new 500/220-kV substation located approximately 4 to 5 miles south of the Cottonwind Substation near the intersection of 170th Street and Holiday Avenue in Kern County near the TWRA (Segment 9).
- Upgrade of the existing Antelope, Vincent, Mesa, Gould, and Mira Loma Substations to accommodate new transmission line construction and system compensation elements (Segment 9).
- A new 500-kV transmission line traveling approximately 17 miles over new ROW between the Windhub Substation and the proposed new Whirlwind Substation (Segment 10).
- A rebuild of approximately 19 miles of existing 220-kV transmission line to 500-kV standards between the existing Vincent and Gould Substations. This segment would also include the addition of a new 220-kV circuit on the vacant side of the existing double-circuit structures of the Eagle Rock-Mesa 220-kV transmission line, between the existing Gould Substation and the existing Mesa Substation (Segment 11).
- Installation of associated telecommunications infrastructure.
Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA)
As part of its application to the CPUC, SCE prepared and submitted a Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA), which describes the proposed project, existing environmental conditions in the project area, and potential environmental impacts. The PEA may be viewed here.
Environmental Impact Report / Environmental Impact Statement
The CPUC and the Forest Service intend to prepare a joint EIR/EIS for the proposed project. When completed, a draft version of the EIR/EIS will be released for public review and will be available on this website. To initiate the EIR/EIS process, a Notice of Preparation and a Notice of Intent for the EIR/EIS will be published and also posted on this website. Public scoping meetings for the EIR/EIS will be announced at a later date.
For Additional Information
The CPUC and the Forest Service are conducting an environmental review of this project. To request additional information or to be added to the mailing list, please contact us by email, fax, or phone, as follows:
Project E-mail: TRTP@AspenEG.com
Project Fax and Voicemail: (888) 331-9897
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