Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of Pacific Gas and Electric's (PG&E's) proposed Windsor Substation Project. An application for this project was submitted to the CPUC on April 21, 2010 (A.10-04-024) This site provides access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA review process.

Background

The proposed Windsor Substation Project site is located in the southern part of the Town of Windsor, Sonoma County, California. The proposed 1.42-acre substation would be constructed within a 3.2-acre parcel located on the south side of Mitchell Lane immediately east of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad (NWPRR) right of way, approximately 2,000 feet west of Highway 101. Wilson Ranch Soccer Park is on the north side of Mitchell Lane, across from the site. The site is vacant and was previously graded.

Electrical power would enter the substation by tapping the existing Fulton No. 1 60 kV power line that parallels the west side of the NWPRR right of way. Electrical power would leave the substation as 12 kV via distribution feeder lines, which would interconnect with the distribution network. Construction involves the installation of the following components:

• Installation of a new three-bank, 115/12 kV distribution substation, initially constructed as a 60/12 kV substation. Proposed Project components would include three 115 kV bus structures, six 115 kV circuit breakers, three 115/12 kV power transformers, eighteen 115 kV disconnecting switches, and three 12 kV metal-clad switchgear enclosures (at full build-out).
  
  
• Connection of the new substation to an existing 60 kV powerline that is rated for 115 kV and eventually will be converted to 115 kV. This includes installing two 95-foot-tall tubular steel poles (TSPs), to loop the existing 60 kV powerline into the substation.
  
  
• Installation of approximately 4,500 feet of overhead and 2,250 feet of underground distribution lines.
  
  
• Two 42-foot-high dead-end structures supporting the 60 kV powerline entering and exiting the substation; and
  
  
• A paved access road from Mitchell Lane to the substation.

Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA)

PG&E filed a PEA with the Application in April 2010. A Supplemental PEA was submitted in May 2011. The PEA provides a starting point for the independent environmental review process conducted by the CPUC. In addition, PG&E's Notice of an Application for a Permit to Construct can be found here.

Environmental Review Process

PG&E's Application and PEA were deemed complete for review by the CPUC on May 20, 2010.

The CPUC has determined that an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) appears to be the appropriate CEQA document to prepare for this project. After it is prepared, the Draft IS/MND will be published and the public and agencies will have an opportunity to comment on the document.

Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

On July 15, 2013, the CPUC released a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Windsor Substation 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.
The Draft IS/MND is undergoing a public review period from July 15, 2013 through August 14, 2013.

Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

After the close of the comment period, CPUC will prepare a Final Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Windsor Substation 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.

Public Information Meeting

The CPUC Energy Division held a public information meeting on August 16, 2010, to describe the project, describe the CEQA process, and receive public comments on the proposal. Written comments were submitted at this meeting. Information on the public meeting is listed below:

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: