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Introduction

Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of the proposed San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) South Orange County Reliability Enhancement project (SOCRE project, or proposed project). A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) application for this project was submitted to the CPUC on May 18, 2012 (Application A.12-05-020). The CPUC, through its Environmental Review Team, conduct an environmental review of the SOCRE project. This web page provides access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA environmental review process.

Construction activities for the SOCRE project began in October 2017. Construction activities are occurring at the San Juan Capistrano Substation and at various locations along the transmission line route. Information about the CPUC’s environmental monitoring of construction activities for environmental compliance is provided here.

Background and Project Purpose

SDG&E has filed an application for CPCN with the CPUC for the SOCRE project to rebuild and upgrade a portion of its transmission infrastructure in South Orange County.

The purpose of the proposed SOCRE project is to increase the reliability and operational flexibility of SDG&E’s South Orange County 138-kilovolt (kV) system to reduce the risk of electrical outages. The project would also upgrade aging electrical infrastructure in the South Orange County area, including SDG&E’s Capistrano Substation in the City of San Juan Capistrano.

The existing 230-kV transmission network at SDG&E’s Talega Substation (located on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton) provides power for the South Orange County service area. Power supplied by the Talega Substation is transmitted to seven distribution substations —Capistrano, Laguna Niguel, Margarita, Pico, San Mateo, Rancho Mission Viejo, and Trabuco—over a 138-kV transmission network.

The SOCRE project would improve reliability by providing a second 230-kV power source to SDG&E’s South Orange County service area and modernizing aging infrastructure, including rebuilding the Capistrano Substation, which was constructed in the 1960s, and upgrading components of the Talega Substation. Once upgraded, “Capistrano Substation” would be renamed “San Juan Capistrano Substation.” The upgraded substation would accommodate two new 230-kV lines and two additional 138-kV lines that would be rerouted to the upgraded substation. An existing 138-kV line would be routed to Talega Substation.

A link to SDG&E’s website for the SOCRE project may be accessed here. This website includes additional information about the project including a ten-minute video overview of the project.

Project Description

The primary components of the proposed project include:
  1. Rebuilding and upgrading the 138/12-kV 60-megavolt ampere (MVA) air-insulated Capistrano Substation as a 230/138/12-kV 700-MVA gas-insulated (GIS) substation that would be named San Juan Capistrano Substation;
  2. Replacing a single-circuit 138-kV transmission line between the applicant’s Talega and Capistrano substations with a new double-circuit 230-kV transmission line (approximately 7.8-miles long);
  3. Relocating several transmission line segments (approximately 1.8 miles, total) adjacent to Talega and Capistrano substations to accommodate the proposed Capistrano Substation expansion and new 230-kV line; and
  4. Relocating several 12-kV distribution lines segments (approximately 6 miles) into underground conduit and overhead on existing and new structures located between the Capistrano Substation and Prima Deshecha Landfill.
Construction of the proposed project is expected to occur over a period of approximately 64 months.

Project Location

The components of the SOCRE project are primarily located in existing SDG&E right-of-way within the cities of San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente as well as unincorporated Orange County and United States Marine Corps (USMC) land in San Diego County. The existing 138-kV transmission line, which is being replaced by the double-circuit 230-kV transmission line, crosses Interstate 5 (I-5) east of the Capistrano Substation, and then continues southeast to the Rancho San Juan residential development and Prima Deshecha Landfill. From there, the transmission line continues southeast through the City of San Clemente and unincorporated Orange County to the Talega Substation, which is located partially within the boundaries of the USMC Base Camp Pendleton

In addition, a 12-kV distribution line is being installed in existing and new underground conduit and overhead on new and replaced structures, from Capistrano Substation in the City of San Juan Capistrano to the Rancho San Juan residential development and Prima Deshecha Landfill. Click here and here to see the location of the project components.

CPUC Process

The CPUC conducts two parallel processes when considering development proposed by a regulated utility: an application process, in which the CPUC reviews the utility’s proposal (such as SDG&E’s CPCN application for the SOCRE project) and considers whether the project is needed and is in the public interest; and an environmental review process pursuant to CEQA. The CPCN application process focuses on utility ratepayer and public benefit issues and is undertaken by the CPUC’s Administrative Law Judges Division.

The CEQA process for utility applications is led by the CPUC’s Energy Division, which directs the Environmental Review Team and the preparation of the SOCRE project Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The EIR describes the nature and extent of the environmental impacts of the SOCRE project and project alternatives, and discusses mitigation measures for adverse impacts. Through the EIR process, the CPUC determined whether the SOCRE project would result in significant impacts on the environment and whether those impacts could be avoided or reduced to less than significant levels. The EIR is used by the CPUC in conjunction with other information prepared for the CPUC’s formal record to act on SDG&E’s application. If, through the EIR process, the CPUC determines a project would result in significant environmental impacts that could not be mitigated to less than significant levels but still approves the project, the Commission’s decision on the application will include a Statement of Overriding Considerations that presents the economic, legal, social, and technological benefits, or other benefits, that outweigh the project’s impacts.

Application and Proponent’s Environmental Assessment (PEA)

The CPUC has reviewed SDG&E’s application and the Proponent’s Environmental Assessment (PEA) for the SOCRE project and, after the submittal of additional information by SDG&E, determined that the application and PEA are complete. The application and PEA, along with the CPUC’s requests for additional information and SDG&E’s responses to these requests are presented here to allow interested parties an opportunity for review.

Submittal Date Approved
SDG&E SOCRE Project Application A.12-05-020 May 18, 2012
SDG&E SOCRE Project Proponent’s Environmental Assessment (82 MB) May 22, 2012
CPUC Deficiency Letter June 15, 2012
SDG&E Responses to CPUC Deficiency Letter (20 MB) July 27, August 14, and August 16, 2012
CPUC Second Deficiency Letter September 13, 2012
SDG&E Response to Second Deficiency Letter October 9, 2012
CPUC Completeness Letter January 7, 2013

Public Scoping and Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report

The CPUC circulated a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an EIR for the proposed project on January 9, 2013, which opened a public review and comment period on the scope of the CEQA document. All interested parties, including the public, responsible agencies, and trustee agencies, were invited to present comments about the SOCRE project and the scope of the EIR.

The public review and comment period for the NOP ended on February 22, 2013.

The CPUC’s Energy Division hosted two public scoping meetings for the SOCRE project in order to provide interested parties an opportunity to learn more about the project, ask questions, and submit comments. The public scoping meeting on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 was held at San Juan Capistrano Community Hall and the public scoping meeting on Thursday, January 24, 2013 was held at Bella Collina Towne and Golf Club.

A summary of the scoping process and comments received during the scoping period is included in the Scoping Summary Report, which is available here and in Appendix A of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (see below).

La versión en español de la Notificación de Preparación del Informe de Impacto Ambiental (EIR) está disponible aquí.

EIR Alternatives Screening Report

As required by CEQA (CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6(e)), the CPUC has reviewed and selected feasible project alternatives that would avoid or substantially lessen significant impacts of the project, while accomplishing most of the basic project objectives. Project alternatives were identified by the applicant in the PEA, formulated by the CPUC, or proposed during public scoping for the EIR. The CPUC prepared an alternatives screening report which identifies and reviews (“screens”) 12 potential alternatives to the proposed project and selected 11 of these alternatives (including the No Project alternative, which is required by CEQA) for further analysis in the EIR. The CPUC’s alternatives screening report is available here and in Appendix B of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (see below).

Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

Draft EIR/ Public Review Period/ Public Meeting

As the CEQA Lead Agency, the CPUC prepared a Draft EIR for the proposed project in accordance with CEQA. The Notice of Availability (NOA) and the Draft EIR may be viewed here. A Notice of Completion (NOC) for the Draft EIR (SCH No. 2013011011) was sent to the California State Clearinghouse. The NOC may be viewed here.

La versión en español de la Notificación de Disponibilidad del Informe de Impacto Ambiental (EIR) está disponible aquí.

Hardcopies of the Draft EIR were made available at the following repositories:

San Juan Capistrano Regional Library
31495 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 493-1752 		San Clemente Library
242 Avenida Del Mar
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 492-3493

The CPUC received comments on the Draft EIR during the 45-day period starting February 23, 2015 and ending April 10, 2015. Comments were submitted using the following methods:

The CPUC held two public meetings on March 25, 2015 to explain the proposed project, discuss the proposed project’s significant impacts, and receive comments on the Draft EIR from the public. Information regarding the public meetings is provided below:

March 25, 2015
1:00 to 3:00 pm
San Clemente Community Center – Ole Hanson Fireside Room
100 N. Calle Seville
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 361-8264 		March 25, 2015
6:00 to 8:00 pm
San Juan Capistrano Community Hall
25925 Camino Del Avion
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 493-5911

A copy of the PowerPoint presentation from the public meetings is available here.

Comments Received During the Draft EIR Public Comment Period

The following comments were received during the public comment period for the Draft EIR:
Comment Directory
Comment Numbers 1-50, 51-100, 101-150, 151-200, 201-250, 251-300, 301-350, 351-404


Recirculated Draft EIR/ Public Review Period

As the CEQA Lead Agency, the CPUC prepared a Recirculated Draft EIR for the proposed project in accordance with CEQA. The NOA and the Recirculated Draft EIR may be viewed here. A NOC for the Draft EIR (SCH No. 2013011011) was sent to the California State Clearinghouse. The NOC may be viewed here.

The Recirculated Draft EIR contains a new alternative, called the Trabuco Alternative, which was suggested by the public during review of the Draft EIR. The Recirculated Draft EIR also identifies additional significant impacts on biological resources, cultural resources, and land use and planning from construction and operation of the proposed project that were not previously disclosed in the Draft EIR. Consistent with the provisions of Section 15088.5 of the CEQA Guidelines, portions of the Draft EIR have been revised with new information, and revised chapters and sections are being recirculated for public comment.

Hardcopies of the Recirculated Draft EIR were made available at the following repositories:

San Juan Capistrano Regional Library
31495 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 493-1752 		San Clemente Library
242 Avenida Del Mar
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 492-3493

The CPUC received comments on the Recirculated Draft EIR during the 45-day period starting August 10, 2015, and ending September 24, 2015. The CPUC requested that reviewers focus their comments specifically on the new content included in the Recirculated Draft EIR, consistent with the provisions of Section 15088.5 of the CEQA Guidelines. Written comments on the Recirculated Draft EIR were submitted using the following methods:

No public meetings were held by the CPUC during this public review period.

Comments Received During the Recirculated Draft EIR Public Comment Period

The following comments were received during the public comment period for the Recirculated Draft EIR:

Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, Volume 4

SDG&E’s Comment:

Cover Letter & Introduction, Comment: Exhibit 1-10



Final EIR

The Final EIR was published April 25, 2016 and may be viewed here.

Final EIR Errata

The Final EIR Errata may be viewed here.

Commission Decision

On December 15, 2016, the CPUC issued a decision granting a CPCN to SDG&E for the SOCRE Project, subject to the mitigation measures identified in the Mitigation Monitoring, Compliance and Reporting Program (MMCRP) Compliance Plan. As the lead agency for environmental review, the CPUC found and certified that the EIR prepared for this project meets the requirements of CEQA and that the ability of the adopted project to reduce the risk of instances that could result in the loss of power to customers served by the South Orange County 138-kV System through the 10-year planning horizon, replace inadequate equipment at Capistrano Substation, and redistribute power flow of the applicant’s South Orange County 138-kV System such that operational flexibility is increased are overriding considerations that outweigh its significant and unavoidable impacts on air quality and cultural resources. The proceeding is closed.

The Decision is available here.

A Notice of Determination (NOD) was filed with the State Clearinghouse on January 12, 2017, advising of the CPUC’s approval of the project. The NOD is posted online at: http://www.ceqanet.ca.gov/NODdescription.asp?DocPK=709290.

Construction Progress and Mitigation Monitoring

The CPUC developed a MMCRP Compliance Plan in coordination with SDG&E to provide guidance and procedures for environmental monitoring during project construction. The MMCRP Compliance Plan is a tool to ensure compliance with the applicant proposed measures (APMs) and mitigation measures approved in the Final EIR. In February 2019, SDG&E submitted a revised (Version 2) of the MMCRP, with updated staff roles and an updated project construction schedule.

The CPUC developed a MMCRP Compliance Plan in coordination with SDG&E to provide guidance and procedures for environmental monitoring during project construction. The MMCRP Compliance Plan is a tool to ensure compliance with the applicant proposed measures (APMs) and mitigation measures approved in the Final EIR. In February 2019, SDG&E submitted a revised (Version 2) of the MMCRP, with updated staff roles and an updated project construction schedule here.

The first phase of construction began in October 2017. The CPUC issues Notices to Proceed (NTPs), to the applicant for each phase of construction activity, after confirming that SDG&E has complied with pre-construction environmental requirements. Each NTP for the project is listed in the table below. Minor Project Approvals, which include Minor Project Refinements (MPRs) and addendums to NTP requests, approved for the project, are also posted below. In addition, monthly Construction Monitoring Reports issued on construction progress as part of mitigation monitoring and compliance are posted below.

Notices to Proceed

NTP No. Project Components/Phase NTP Request Received from SDG&E NTP Request Approved by CPUC
NTP-1 Geotechnical investigation and hazardous materials abatement at the future San Juan Capistrano Substation October 5, 2017 October 13, 2017
NTP-2 Site preparation activities and construction staging at the future San Juan Capistrano Substation December 12, 2017 December 18, 2017
NTP-3 Rebuild and upgrade of the San Juan Capistrano Substation March 23, 2018 April 27, 2018
NTP-4 New overhead and underground transmission and distribution October 24, 2018 October 29, 2018
NTP-5 Installation of the 138-kV and 230-kV Eastern Getaways from the San Juan Capistrano Substation to Rancho Viejo Road and the removal and installation of 12-kV distribution lines. July 22, 2019 July 26, 2019
NTP-6 Removal and replacement of the existing 138-kV transmission line with a new double-circuit 230-kV transmission line from Rancho Viejo Road southeast to pole #41. October 15, 2019 October 30, 2019

Minor Project Approvals

Minor Project Approval Description Request from SDG&E Date Approved
NTP-2, Addendum #1 Modify alignment of interior fence, remove de-energized 138-kV rack structures, and abate hazardous materials. March 12, 2018 March 23, 2018
MPR-1 Temporary workspace to facilitate construction of a screening wall and security fence along the southern and eastern borders of the future San Juan Capistrano Substation. June 8, 2018 June 19, 2018
MPR-1, Addendum 1 Use of a new temporary workspace along the southern border of the San Juan Capistrano Substation site for vegetation removal, backcutting and construction access associated with the installation of the screen wall. March 22, 2019 April 10, 2019
MPR-2 Temporary workspace on Avenida de la Vista in the City of San Juan Capistrano to facilitate installation of a reclaimed water wharf (hydrant).
SDG&E notified the CPUC of its withdrawal of MPR-2 on November 20, 2018 due to the City of San Juan Capistrano’s approval of the Project’s continued use of the existing reclaimed water hydrant located on Paseo Espada. Therefore, the temporary workspace and installation of a reclaimed water wharf on Avenida de la Vista is no longer necessary and MPR-2 has been withdrawn. A copy of SDG&E’s notification letter to the CPUC may be viewed here.		 August 16, 2018 August 28, 2018
MPR-3 Use of new temporary workspaces that extend from the north and south borders of the previously approved NTP-4 workspace in Long Park. The additional temporary workspaces are necessary to safely and efficiently complete the overhead and underground distribution work that will take place west of the San Juan Capistrano Substation (authorized under NTP-4). June 20, 2019 June 27, 2019
MPR-4 Use of two staging areas located on the west and east sides of Avenida La Pata, on Prima Deshecha Landfill. The staging areas are necessary in order to efficiently complete Project activities associated with transmission and distribution work east of I-5 and are alternatives to Staging Area 7, which was approved in the FEIR. October 15, 2019 October 31, 2019
MPR-5 Extended use of a temporary work area around transmission standard pole #10 and existing pole Z630977 (authorized under NTP-6). The additional area totals 0.5 acres within the SDG&E right-of-way at Tar Farms Stables in San Juan Capistrano. March 16, 2020 April 8, 2020
MPR-6 Use of new temporary workspace at Location 9 and existing pole Z327355 (authorized under NTP-6). The workspace will total 0.05 acres within the SDG&E right-of-way at Russell Cook Park in San Juan Capistrano. April 16, 2020 April 28, 2020
MPR-7 Use of temporary workspace adjacent to the access road west of Location 13 and existing structure Z198320. The additional area totals 0.7 acres within the SDG&E right-of-way in San Juan Capistrano and will facilitate construction activities east of Highway 5. April 30, 2020 May 26, 2020
MPR-8 Use of temporary workspace to place anchor blocks in two locations south of the existing work area by standard poles #18 and #19. The activity will temporarily disturb 0.002 acres within the SDG&E right-of-way. August 25, 2020 August 28, 2020
MPR-9 Use of temporary workspace adjacent to the access road north of transmission standard pole #30. The additional area totals 0.03 acres within the right-of-way and will facilitate wire stringing activity. September 4, 2020 September 10, 2020

Monthly Construction Monitoring Reports

Construction Month and Year Associated Notice to Proceed/Minor Project Approval
October and November 2017 NTP-1
December 2017 NTP-1, NTP-2
January 2018 NTP-1, NTP-2
February 2018 NTP-1, NTP-2
March 2018 NTP-1;, NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1
April 2018 NTP-1;, NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3
May 2018 NTP-1;, NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3
June 2018 NTP-1;, NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3
July 2018 NTP-1;, NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3
August 2018 NTP-1;, NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3
September 2018 NTP-1;, NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3
October 2018 NTP-1; NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3, NTP-4
November 2018 NTP-1; NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3, NTP-4
December 2018 NTP-1; NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3, NTP-4
January 2019 (6.8 MB) NTP-1; NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3, NTP-4
February 2019 NTP-1; NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3, NTP-4
March 2019 NTP-1; NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3, NTP-4
April 2019 NTP-1; NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3, NTP-4
May 2019 NTP-1; NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3, NTP-4
June 2019 NTP-1; NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3, NTP-4
July 2019 NTP-1; NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3, NTP-4, NTP-5
August 2019 NTP-1; NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3, NTP-4, NTP-5
September 2019 NTP-1; NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3, NTP-4, NTP-5
October 2019 NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3, NTP-4, NTP-5
November 2019 NTP-2; NTP-2, Addendum #1; NTP-3, NTP-4, NTP-5
December 2019 NTP-3, NTP-4, NTP-5
January 2020 NTP-3, NTP-4, NTP-5, NTP-6
February 2020 NTP-3, NTP-4, NTP-5, NTP-6
March 2020 NTP-3, NTP-4, NTP-5, NTP-6
April 2020 NTP-3, NTP-4, NTP-5, NTP-6
May 2020 NTP-3, NTP-4, NTP-5, NTP-6
June 2020 NTP-3, NTP-4, NTP-6
July 2020 NTP-3, NTP-4, NTP-6
August 2020 NTP-3, NTP-4, NTP-6

For Additional Information

To request additional information or to be added to the mailing list, please contact us by email, fax, or phone, as follows:

Project email: SOCRE.CEQA@ene.com
Project fax: 415-398-5326
Project voicemail: (855) 520-6799 (toll free)

The CPUC’s Project Manager is:

Andrew Barnsdale, CPUC Project Manager
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
Email: andrew.barnsdale@cpuc.ca.gov
Tel.: (415) 703-3221
Fax:   (415) 703-1758