Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) web
site for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review
of Pacific Gas and Electric's (PG&E's) proposed Cressey-Gallo
115 kV Power Line Project. An application for this project was submitted
to the CPUC on November 30, 2011 (A.11-11-020) This site provides
access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA
review process..
Background
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is proposing to construct
the Cressey-Gallo 115 Kilovolt (kV) Power Line Project, a new, approximately
14.4-mile-long, single-circuit power line needed to improve transmission
system reliability for customers in north-central Merced County,
California.
The project consists of constructing a new 115 kV power line between
Cressey and Gallo substations to form a power line loop with two
other area substations (Livingston and Atwater). The new transmission
loop will allow power to flow from another direction when there
is an outage on a line feeding the loop, avoiding customer service
interruptions from single-line outages in this area. As proposed
by PG&E, the project includes:
- Constructing a new, approximately 14.4-mile, single-circuit
115 kV power line interconnecting Cressey Substation and Gallo
Substation.
- Upgrading the bus configurations at Cressey Substation and replacing
the existing radial power line transition into the substation
within the existing substation property.
- Expanding Gallo Substation to add switchgear and upgrade the
bus configurations.
The project is located in the San Joaquin Valley in Merced County
near the City of Livingston, California. The project route is oriented
primarily east to-west between Cressey Substation and Gallo Substation,
intersecting with State Route 99 south of the City of Livingston.
The project will connect Cressey Substation (located at the southeast
corner of West Lane and Meadow Drive, approximately 2 miles east
of the community of Cressey) to an expanded Gallo Substation (located
on the property of the Gallo Winery facility at 18000 River Road,
approximately 4 miles west of the City of Livingston).
Proponent's Environmental Assessment
(PEA)
PG&E filed a PEA with the Application
in November 2011. The PEA provides a starting point for the independent
environmental review process conducted by the CPUC.
Environmental Review Process
PG&E's Application and PEA were deemed complete for review
by the CPUC on December 21, 2011.
Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
On February 27, 2013, the CPUC released a Notice of Intent
to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Cressey-Gallo
115 kV power Line Project showing that the Proposed Project, as
mitigated, would not have any significant effects on the environment.
The Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration and Supporting Initial
Study (IS/MND) can be viewed here.
This IS/MND will undergo a public review period from February 27,
2013, through March 29, 2013. Comments must be received in
writing by 5:00 p.m. on March 29, 2013, at the address shown
under "For Additional Information" below.
Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
After the close of the comment period, CPUC will prepare a Final
Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Cressey-Gallo Project. If
study shows that the Proposed Project, as mitigated, would not have
any significant effects on the environment, it is anticipated that
the IS/MND would be adopted by the CPUC. The Final MND would provide
details on the Proposed Project, evaluate and describe its potential
environmental impacts, identify those impacts that could be significant,
and present mitigation measures to avoid or minimize these impacts.
The Final IS/MND will be available through this website.
If the Initial Study shows that there may be significant impacts,
an Environmental Impact Report may be required.
CPUC Actions After Final Initial Study/Mitigated
Negative Declaration (IS/MND) Publication
There is no comment period following issuance of the Final IS/MND.
The CPUC will determine the adequacy of the Final IS/MND, and, if
adequate, will adopt the document as being compliant with CEQA.
If adequate, the CPUC will issue a Proposed Decision on the Application,
which will be announced and published concurrent with a scheduled
Commission meeting. After the Commission makes the decision on the
Application, a Notice of Determination will be mailed to the State
Clearinghouse within 5 days of the Decision. The 30-day statute
of limitations for court challenges begins after the Notice of Determination
is filed.
Mitigation Monitoring
Mitigation Monitoring, Compliance, and Reporting
Plan
Following CPUC approval, a Mitigation Monitoring, Compliance, and
Reporting Plan (MMCRP) will be prepared to ensure compliance with
applicant proposed measures (APMs) and mitigation measures approved
in the Final IS/MND. This MMCRP will be developed to provide guidelines
and standardize procedures for environmental compliance during project
implementation. The procedures will be developed in coordination
with PG&E and CPUC and will define the reporting relationships,
the roles and responsibilities of the project's environmental compliance
team members, compliance reporting procedures, and the communication
protocol.
For Additional Information
The CPUC, through its Environmental Review Team, is conducting
an environmental review of the project. To request additional information,
ask a question, or be added to the project mailing list, please
contact:
Voicemail
or Fax |
(209) 812-1952 |
U.S.
Mail or Courier |
Billie Blanchard
California Public Utilities Commission
c/o Aspen Environmental Group
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 935
San Francisco CA 94104-3002 |
Email |
cresseygallo@aspeneg.com |
|