STATE OF CALIFORNIA
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

San Diego Gas & Electric Company's Sunrise Powerlink Project

(Applications A.05-12-014 and A.06-08-010)

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Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of the Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Line Project. Applications for this project were submitted to CPUC on December 14, 2005 (A.05-12-014) and August 4, 2006 (A.06-08-010). The Proponent's Environmental Assessment was filed with the CPUC on August 4, 2006. This project was approved by the California Independent System Operator on August 3, 2006. This site provides access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review processes. The CPUC voted on December 18, 2008 to approve the Final Environmentally Superior Southern Route (see Decision D.08-12-058) and a Notice of Determination was submitted to the State Clearinghouse. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a Record of Decision approving the same route on January 20, 2009.

JUMP TO:
Mitigation Monitoring, Compliance, and Reporting Program - Final Report
Mitigation Monitoring Compliance Reports, Permit Applications, and Other Documents
Construction and Mitigation Monitoring
Mitigation Monitoring Compliance and Reporting Plan
Notices to Proceed
Construction Monitoring Reports
CPUC Variance Approvals
USFS Variance Approvals
Other Agency Variance Approvals
Determinations of NEPA Adequacy
Helicopter Operations and FAA Compliance
Project Modifications Report
Final EIR/EIS
Recirculated Draft EIR/EIS
Draft EIR/EIS
EIR/EIS Alternatives
Documents Available
Data Requests
Requests for Technical Information Related to the Draft EIR/EIS
For Additional Information


Final Mitigation Monitoring, Compliance, and Reporting Program Report

A Final Mitigation Monitoring, Compliance, and Reporting Program Report has been prepared and can be found here. The report provides a broad summary of the entire project including preconstruction review, document approvals, NTPs, variances and DNAs, construction progress, mitigation monitoring, compliance, closeout tasks, and restoration as well as operations and maintenance expectations.

Construction and Mitigation Monitoring

Construction of the Sunrise Powerlink Project began in September 2010 with the establishment of some construction yards and existing substation upgrades. Mainline construction began in November 2010. The Sunrise Powerlink was energized in June 2012. Remaining punch list work was conducted through June 2013. Ongoing restoration activities continue. Prior to construction all work was approved under segmented Notices to Proceed (NTPs) issued by the CPUC, BLM, USFS, or MCAS Miramar depending on jurisdiction, area, and type of work.

Issuance of NTPs was contingent upon SDG&E compliance with pre-construction requirements as specified by the approved mitigation measures and responsible agency permitting requirements. Approved pre-compliance reports, permits, and other documents are available in their final form here. All NTPs issued to SDG&E are noted in the table below.

SDG&E divided the Sunrise Powerlink Project into 25 segments including several additional work areas, as follows:

Notices to Proceed
Segment
Description
Jurisdiction
Type
NTP Request Submitted
NTP Issued
Construction
 Authorized
*
Segment 1 Imperial Valley Substation BLM Substation Upgrades BLM request submitted 01/19/11 BLM NTP #1 issued 02/3/11
02/04/11
Segment 2 Imperial Valley Substation to Pyramid Mining (MP0 to MP19.2) CPUC
BLM
500 kV Overhead

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for non-federal lands only; 3/28/11; BLM request submitted 03/25/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for non-federal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB)
01/20/11
Segment 3 Pyramid Mining to Mountain Springs Grade (MP19.2 to MP23.2) CPUC
BLM
500 kV Overhead

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB)
01/20/11
Segment 4 Mountain Springs Grade to Jade (MP23.2 to MP30.3) CPUC
BLM
500 kV Overhead

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB)
01/20/11
Segment 5 Jade to I-8 (McCain Valley) (MP30.3 to MP39.7) CPUC
BLM
500 kV Overhead

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB)
01/20/11
Segment 6 I-8 (McCain Valley) to USFS (MP39.7 to MP52.5) CPUC
BLM
USFS
500 kV Overhead

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11; USFS request submitted 07/29/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB); USFS NTP #1 issued 08/09/11
01/20/11
Segment 7 USFS East (MP52.5 to MP61.3) CPUC
BLM
USFS
500 kV Overhead

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11; USFS request submitted 07/29/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB); USFS NTP #1 issued 08/09/11
01/20/11
Segment 8 USFS East to Cameron Substation (MP61.3 to MP65.4) CPUC
BLM
500 kV Overhead

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB)
01/20/11
Segment 9 MP65.4 to MP70.9 CPUC
BLM
500 kV Overhead

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB)
01/20/11
Segment 10 MP70.9 to MP74.8 CPUC
BLM
USFS
500 kV Overhead

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11; USFS request submitted 07/29/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB); USFS NTP #1 issued 08/09/11
01/20/11
Segment 11 MP74.8 to MP77.6 CPUC
BLM
500 kV Overhead

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB)
01/20/11
Segment 12 MP77.6 to MP90.0 CPUC
BLM
USFS
500 kV Overhead

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11; USFS request submitted 07/29/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB); USFS NTP #1 issued 08/09/11
01/20/11
Segment 13 Suncrest Substation (Modified Route D Substation) CPUC New 500/230 kV Substation 10/20/10; 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only CPUC NTP #11 issued 12/15/10
12/17/10
Segment 14 Suncrest Substation to Alpine Boulevard (MP90.0 to MP92.8) CPUC
USFS
230 kV Overhead

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11; USFS request submitted 07/29/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB); USFS NTP #1 issued 08/09/11
01/20/11
Segment 15 Alpine Boulevard Underground (MP92.8 to MP99.0) CPUC 230 kV Underground 10/13/10; 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only CPUC NTP #10 issued 11/23/10
11/30/10
Segment 16 Peutz Valley to El Monte Valley (MP99.0 to MP105.5) CPUC
BLM
USFS
230 kV Overhead

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11; USFS request submitted 07/29/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB); USFS NTP #1 issued 08/09/11
01/20/11
Segment 17 El Monte Valley to Highway 67 (MP105.5 to MP112.7) CPUC
BLM
230 kV Overhead

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB)
01/20/11
Segment 18 Highway 67 to Sycamore Canyon Substation (MP112.7 to MP118.1) CPUC 230 kV Overhead

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for nonfederal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB)
01/20/11
Segment 19 Sycamore Canyon Substation CPUC Substation Upgrades CPUC request not yet submitted;¹ BLM request submitted 03/25/11 CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB)
01/20/11
Segment 20 Sycamore to Elliot 69 kV Reconductor CPUC 69 kV Reconductoring

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10; BLM request submitted 03/25/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB)
01/20/11
Segment 21 Sycamore to Scripps 69 kV Reconductor CPUC 69 kV Reconductoring

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10; BLM request submitted 03/25/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB)
01/20/11
Segment 22 Sycamore to Pomerado 69 kV Reconductor CPUC 69 kV Reconductoring

CPUC request submitted 11/09/10; BLM request submitted 03/25/11

CPUC NTP #13 issued 01/13/11 for nonfederal lands only; modified 02/24/11; BLM NTP #2 issued 04/04/11 (19.9MB)
01/20/11
Segment 23 South Bay Substation Upgrades CPUC Substation Upgrades 02/08/10 CPUC NTP #2 issued 04/29/10, updated 08/3/10
09/17/10
Segment 24 Encina Switchyard Upgrades CPUC Substation Upgrades 05/26/10 CPUC NTP #6 issued 09/28/10
10/15/10
Segment 25 San Luis Rey Substation Upgrades CPUC Substation Upgrades 02/04/10 CPUC NTP #1 issued 04/28/10, updated 08/3/10
09/17/10 
 N/A White Star Telecomm Site CPUC Telecomm Site 05/28/10 CPUC NTP #7 issued 09/28/10
10/08/10
N/A Pomerado Substation Upgrade
(part of PMR submittal)
CPUC Substation Upgrades 06/09/10 CPUC NTP #8 issued 09/28/10
 
N/A  Scripps Substation Upgrade
(part of PMR submittal)
CPUC Substation Upgrades 06/09/10 CPUC NTP #9 issued 09/28/10
 
Construction Yards and Other Workspace
Alpine Yard 18, Town of Alpine CPUC Construction Yard 02/26/10 CPUC NTP #3 issued 05/20/10, updated 08/3/10
09/17/10
Alpine Yard 18A, Town of Alpine CPUC Construction Yard 01/26/10 CPUC NTP #4 issued 05/28/10, updated 08/3/10
09/17/10
Rough Acres Phase I Yard, Boulevard area, San Diego County CPUC Construction Yard 02/18/10 CPUC NTP #5 issued 09/28/10
10/06/10
Rough Acres Phase II Yard, Boulevard area, San Diego County
CPUC Construction Yard 11/29/10 CPUC NTP #12 issued 12/28/10
Not yet authorized
*Compliance with all remaining pre-construction mitigation measures and NTP conditions satisfied

The CPUC, in conjunction with SDG&E, BLM, USFS, and other Responsible Agencies, drafted a Mitigation Monitoring Compliance and Reporting Program (MMCRP) to ensure compliance with mitigation measures approved in the Final EIR/EIS, as well as with the terms and conditions associated with the BLM right-of-way. A current version of the MMCRP document and attachments, including a map of the approved route with segments, is found here.

CPUC Environmental Monitors (EMs) assisted the CPUC, BLM, and USFS by monitoring construction activities to ensure that they were conducted in accordance with approved mitigation measures and permit conditions. Weekly reports documenting construction activities and compliance are posted here.

As defined by the MMCRP, at various times throughout project construction, needs for extra workspace or micrositing changes were identified. Similarly, minor changes to the project requirements (e.g., mitigation measures, specifications, etc.) were needed to facilitate construction (e.g., nighttime construction in response to a planned power outage). The CPUC Project Manager, along with the CPUC EMS, implemented the variance procedures defined in the MMCRP to evaluate each proposed project change for its potential for creating significant environmental effects to determine whether supplemental CEQA and/or NEPA review was required. CPUC Variance Requests processed are provided in the table below.

CPUC Variance Approvals
Variance
Request
Date
Requested
Date
Issued
Segment
Description
#1
11/04/10 
N/A
Thomas Yard, Imperial County
#2
12/22/10
N/A
Sycamore Estates Construction Yard. Comments submitted to SDG&E 01/06/11.
#3
01/06/11
All
Variance from Mitigation Measure B-8a to allow limited tree trimming to occur between January 1 and September 15.
#3 MOD
01/21/11
All
Allow limited vegetation clearing between January 15 and September 15
#4
01/13/11
N/A
Helicopter Temporary Landing Pad area at the Alpine Regional Field Offices
#5
02/01/11
Link 3, Segment 13
Site improvements at the Wilson Construction Yard and along Bell Bluff Trail
#6
02/01/11
Link 5, Segment 16
Variance from Mitigation Measure H-1a (CC) to allow work outside of the dry season
#7
02/11/11
Link 3, Segment 13
Expand work limits along Bell Bluff Truck Trail
#8
03/02/11
Link 2
Alternative access route to structure EP27
#9
03/29/11
All
Variance from Mitigation Measure N-1a and expanded workdays/hours
#10
04/05/11
Link 4
Expand work space north of Viejas Creek Bridge
#11
04/06/11
Link 1
Add additional 200-ft-by-150-ft extra workspace east of structure EP 215
#12
04/15/11
Link 1
Add turnaround along the access road to Structure EP 220-1
#13
04/25/11
Link 1
Request to add communication shelters near EP215 and EP54-1
#13 MOD
05/06/12
Link 1
Alter two previously approved telecom shelter configurations.
#14
04/28/11
Projectwide
Variance from the approved Construction Yard Visual Screening Plan
#15
05/12/11
Link 2
Alternate reroutes along approved the access road to structure EP84
#16
05/16/11
Link 4
Request to use four vehicle equipment parking areas in Link 4
#17
05/18/11
Segment 24
Modification to the driveway at the Encina Substation
#18
06/27/11
Link 1
Installation of gates along a number of project access roads in the Jacumba area
#19
06/27/11
Rough Acres Yard
Temporary installation of a foundation and towers at the yard site
#20
07/11/11
Link 5
Modification of a temporary access route to pull site between CP 48-2 and CP 49-1, addition of a pull site along the access road between CP 49-1 and CP 50-1 and addition of a site approximately 600 feet south of CP 51-2 to stockpile soil
#21
07/07/11
Link 1
Permits workspace and access for guarding of facilities near GS-NF-37 and GS-BLM-4/GS-NF-41
#22
07/15/11
Link 1
Requests use of the Fromm construction yard
#23
08/15/11
Links 1, 2, and 5
Use of landing platforms and tower staging access pads
#24
08/25/11
Link 3
Vegetation clearing at the Suncrest Substation for fire safety
#25
09/01/11
Links 1, 2, and 5
Prolonged use of previously approved TEWS areas
#26
09/16/11
Link 2
Tank stand placement adjacent to Barrett Substation
#27
09/20/11
Link 1
Two extra workspace locations near Mountain Springs Grade
#28
10/31/11
Link 3
Request to work during red flag warning days at the Suncrest Substation
#29
10/21/11
Links 1, 2, and 5
Guard structure installations
#30
11/01/11
Links 1, 2, and 5
Temporary parking and turnaround areas
#30 MOD #1
02/09/12
CP 75, Overhead
Parking area long-lining
#31
11/08/11
Rescinded
Links 1, 2, and 5
Variance to NTP #13 Condition #37 regarding work practices during precipitation events
#32
11/16/11
Links 1, 2, and 5
Guard structure installations and pull site modifications
#33
11/28/11
Links 1, 2, and 5
Temporary TSAP and pull site modification
#34
11/29/11
Projectwide
Mitigation Measure B-7h, Eagle Buffers
#35
12/22/11
Link 5
Modify Access Road to Tower CP59
#36
01/20/12
Overhead
Vegetation clearance
#37
01/20/12
Overhead
Anchor block placement
#37 Clarification
 
#38
02/10/12
Segment 5
Install a gate near CP55
#39
02/10/12
Rescinded
Segment 4A
Pull-site CP23 restoration
#40
03/20/12
Segment 5
Use of an area near GS-NF-7 for staging
#41
04/17/12
Segment 5
Driveway improvements
#42
05/09/12
Rescinded 05/19/12
Links 1, 2, and 5
Placement of temporary concrete block anchors outside of three approved tower work areas
#43
09/05/12
Projectwide
Leaving in place project improvements at five construction yards to accomodate landowner requests
#44
09/06/12
Links 4 and 5
Permanent use of two TSAPs for telecommunications equipment and designation of temporary TSAP as permanent
#45
09/07/13
Link 1
Converts temporary access road to permanent

In July 2010 the U.S. Forest Service's Supplemental Information Report (SIR) acknowledged the Final Environmentally Superior Southern Route as well as changes in the proposed action. On Cleveland National Forest (CNF) lands the USFS evaluated and provided variance review and approval. USFS Variance Requests processed are provided in the table below.

USFS Variance Approvals
Date
Issued
Segment
Description
USFS lands
Conduct work until 1:00pm on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
08/25/11
Link 2
Request for work sites along La Posta Road
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
10/28/11
USFS lands
Request for work sites, addition of a subcontractor, and insecticide use
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
Dec 2011
Eagle Buffer areas
Work in eagle breeding season
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
01/19/12
USFS Lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
02/02/12
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
02/08/12
USFS lands
Extension of vegetation clearing, TSAP and access road revision, temporary work areas, helicopter landing area, and temporary weather station installation.
02/09/12
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
02/16/12
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
02/23/12
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
03/01/12
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
03/08/12
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
03/08/12
USFS lands
Sunday work
03/19/12
USFS lands
Sunday work
03/22/12
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
03/29/12
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
USFS lands
Concurrence that Bell Bluff and Thing Valley golden eagle nests are inactive - permission to enter buffer areas
04/12/12
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
04/26/12
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
05/10/12
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
05/20/12
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
05/31/12
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
06/04/12
USFS lands
Sunday and holiday work
06/07/12
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days
06/14/12
USFS lands
Work on PAL fire danger days

From time to time, local jurisdictions issued variances from a local ordinance or regulation that it administers. Variance requests processed to date are provided in the table below.

Other Agency Variance Approvals
Agency
Variance
Date
Requested
Date
Issued
Segment
Description
County of Imperial
#1
10/06/10
Link 1
Extended work hours
County of San Diego
#2
03/28/11
Link 4
Traffic control permit, Alpine Boulevard
County of San Diego
#3
09/30/11
Various
Alternative construction work hours and days of work, Sundays 10/16/11 through 11/27/11 plus Friday 11/25/11
County of San Diego
#3
amended
 
Various
Amendment to variance 3973-11-8-008 (NV) restricting Sunday work at some locations
City of San Diego
#4
 
Link 5
Sunday construction at Stonebridge Parkway
County of San Diego
#5
02/01/12
East County locations
Work on 8 Sundays between 03/25/12 and 05/20/12

SDG&E submitted a number of micrositing changes to the approved Project on BLM lands. In response, Determination of NEPA Adequacy (DNA) analyses were conducted. Please see the table below.

Determinations of NEPA Adequacy
DNA
Request
Date
Requested
Date
Issued
Segment
Description
PMR DNA
Projectwide
PMR modifications (see PMR section below)
BLM NTP #2 DNA
Links 1, 2, and 5
Changes submitted and approved under BLM NTP #2 (19.9MB)
#1
06/22/11
Links 1, 2, and 5
Micrositing changes to the approved project on BLM lands
#2
10/21/11
Overhead
Micrositing
#3
02/08/12
Overhead
Anchor block micrositing
#4
11/09/12
CP60/EP146 Permanent use of TSAPs and placement of radio communications facilities

The following table provides the FAA authorizations granted to SDG&E for use of the sky crane from the project construction yards for tower construction activities. In addition, the CPUC incident response letter to two sky crane related incidents is also provided. On September 27, 2011, the CPUC issued a Stop Work Order affecting project helicopters, pending resolution of issues. On October 4, 2011, the CPUC determined that the issues had been resolved and notified SDG&E that it could resume helicopter operations.

Helicopter Operations and FAA Compliance
Date
Submitted
Operation or Description
06/20/11
Mountain Grade Crossing
06/20/11
Jacumba Valley Ranch Fly Yard
06/20/11
Rough Acres Fly Yard
06/20/11
Bartlett Hauser Fly Yard
06/20/11
Helix Fly Yard
06/20/11
Sycamore Canyon Fly Yard
06/20/11
Wilson Fly Yard
06/20/11
El Monte Construction Yard (formerly called Hartung Fly Yard)
06/20/11
Thing Valley Fly Yard
06/20/11
McCain Valley Fly Yard
06/20/11
SWAT Fly Yard
06/20/11
Kreutzkamp Fly Yard
06/20/11
Plaster City, Dunaway, and Imperial Valley Substation Fly Yards
06/20/11
Fallbrook
06/20/11
CPUC Incident Response Letter
08/31/11
FAA CAP Extension
09/27/11
Stop Work Order
10/03/11
Letter lifting Stop Work Order
- Attachment 1: SDG&E Response (4.2MB)
- Attachment 2: Revisions to MMCRP
- Attachment 3: Road Access List

Project Modifications Report

Determination: The CPUC and BLM have published the CEQA and NEPA Determination on SDG&E's proposed Project Modifications; the supporting documents are available here. After careful review of the proposed modifications, as documented in the Determination Memorandum and BLM Determination of NEPA Adequacy and in accordance with the CEQA and NEPA requirements, the CPUC and BLM have determined that the changes to the Sunrise Powerlink Project are within the scope of the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and Record of Decision issued by the CPUC and BLM respectively.

Background: After the Final Environmentally Superior Southern Route was approved by CPUC in December 2008 and BLM in January of 2009, SDG&E began the process of completing final project design and engineering. As is common, some project components were modified as engineering was completed. Modifications result from compliance with adopted mitigation measures requiring resource avoidance to minimize or avoid environmental impacts and final engineering design requirements. In addition, some project components have been relocated to accommodate landowner location preferences where possible in compliance with mitigation requirements. As a part of this process, SDG&E has been working with landowners regarding project components and transmission line routes within their properties.

On January 22, 2010, SDG&E submitted to CPUC and BLM an internal administrative draft of its Project Modification Report (PMR) that defined changes made to the project along the entire route after publication of the Final EIR/EIS. The document explained the reason for each change, and presented the comparative environmental impacts of the project components analyzed in the Final EIR/EIS and those presented in the PMR. All changes included in the report were reviewed by the lead agencies, CPUC and BLM, along with the cooperating, responsible and resource agencies. The CPUC compiled and submitted comments to SDG&E from the EIR/EIS Team and other agencies to ensure that the PMR document included sufficient information to make a determination for each reroute. SDG&E has since incorporated comments, conclusions, and made required changes.

On May 14, 2010, SDG&E submitted to CPUC and BLM a final Project Modifications Report that defines changes made to the project along the entire route after publication of the Final EIR/EIS. Similar to the administrative draft PMR, the final PMR document explains the reason for each change, and presents the comparative environmental impacts of the project components analyzed in the Final EIR/EIS and those presented in the PMR. The final PMR document is found here.

The CPUC accepted public comments on the Final PMR from May 14 to June 7, 2010, and reviewed all comments while evaluating the proposed modifications.

Final EIR/EIS

The Final EIR/EIS was released to the public on October 13, 2008. The Final EIR/EIS is available here and is also available at numerous area libraries and government offices. Copies of the Executive Summary of the Final EIR/EIS along with a DVD of the complete document may be requested. CPUC and BLM also have a limited number of copies of the complete four-volume Final EIR/EIS document available to the public. Requests for documents should be made to the CPUC. Contact information appears at the end of this page.

The Notice of Availability provides further information on the approval processes for CPUC and BLM. Pursuant to NEPA requirements, the Final EIR/EIS and Proposed Land Use Plan Amendment will be available for review for 30 calendar days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes the Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register, which is expected to occur on October 17, 2008. The review period would end on November 15, 2008.

Copies of the Executive Summary of the Final EIR/EIS along with a DVD of the complete document may be requested. CPUC and BLM also have a limited number of copies of the complete four-volume Final EIR/EIS document available to the public. Requests for documents should be made to the CPUC. Contact information appears at the end of this page.

Draft EIR/EIS

CPUC and BLM published the Draft EIR/EIS in January 2008. Please note that the Final EIR/EIS (described above) includes the entire text of the Draft EIR/EIS, modified where necessary in response to comments on the Draft EIR/EIS. The original text of the Draft EIR/EIS document is available here.

EIR/EIS Alternatives

Throughout 2007, CPUC and BLM gathered information on alternatives to the proposed Sunrise Powerlink Project through an extensive public involvement process. Information and documents from that process are available here.

Documents Available

In addition to the EIR/EIS, other documents that were published during the CEQA and NEPA processes are available here. Documents and letters that were compiled following publication of the Final EIR/EIS, such as SDG&E Biological Assessment, USFWS Biological Opinion, BLM Section 106 Programmatic Agreement, and appeals to the BLM Interior Board of Land Appeals, are also included.

In response to concerns from the Lakeside community, a fact sheet that summarizes past public notification and consideration of alternative routes in the community of Lakeside is available here (posted February 24, 2009). A similar fact sheet on public notification was prepared for the Town of Alpine in January 2010 and is available here.

Data Requests

The EIR/EIS Team submits Data Requests to SDG&E and other entities when it needs specific information to support EIR/EIS preparation. These requests are available here at the time they are issued.

Requests for Technical Information Related to the Draft EIR/EIS

During the 90-day public comment period on the Draft EIR/EIS, various parties submitted requests for technical information related to that document. The information provided is available here.

For Additional Information

The CPUC's Project Manager is:

Billie Blanchard, CPUC Project Manager
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco CA 94102
Tel. (415) 703-2068
Fax (415) 703-2200
Email: bcb@cpuc.ca.gov
 
   
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