Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of proposed construction of the Devers–Palo Verde 500 kV No. 2 Project transmission line. An application for this project was submitted to the CPUC on April 11, 2005. The application is currently being reviewed for completeness and compliance with CPUC requirements. This site provides access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA review process.

Background

SCE has filed an application with the CPUC to construct the Devers–Palo Verde 500 kV No. 2 Project (DPV2). The CPUC is the CEQA lead agency and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management is the lead agency under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This project was approved by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) in February 2005.

The DPV2 Project as proposed by SCE includes a new 230-mile 500 kV line from the Harquahala Substation (in Arizona, near the Palo Verde nuclear power plant) to SCE's Devers Substation (in North Palm Springs, California). The 500 kV portion would follow the existing SCE 500 kV transmission line, Devers–Palo Verde No. 1 (DPV1).

The DPV2 Project also includes upgrades to an additional 50 miles of 230 kV transmission lines west of the Devers Substation. Forty miles of 230 kV transmission line from Devers Substation to San Bernardino Junction at the western end of San Timoteo Canyon would be reconfigured and two separate 230-kV corridors, from San Bernardino Junction to SCE's Mountain View Substation and from San Bernardino Junction to SCE's Vista Substation would be reconductored. Map 1-1 shows the project from Devers Substation to Harquahala Generation Station and Map 1-2 shows the segment west of Devers Substation.

Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA)

The PEA may be viewed here. It should be noted that there will be a number of data requests and data responses for this project, which will provide additional clarification on project components as well as construction and operation activities. The latest information for this project will be provided in the project description of the Draft EIR/EIS that will be prepared for the DPV2 Project.

Notice of Preparation/Notice of Intent and Project Scoping

After the application is found to be complete, a Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Devers–Palo Verde 500 kV No. 2 Project will be posted on this website, and a series of public scoping meetings will be held. The purpose of the public scoping meetings is to gather information on public and agency concerns about the project as proposed and also to hear recommendations about alternatives. When the scoping meetings are set up, the schedule for the public scoping meetings will be posted here along with the Notice of Preparation/Notice of Intent.

Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement

The CPUC will prepare a Draft EIR/EIS for the proposed project. When completed, the Draft EIR/EIS will be released for public review and will be available on this website.

For Additional Information

The CPUC, through its Environmental Review Team, is conducting an environmental review of the project. To request additional information or to be added to the mailing list, please contact us by email, fax, or phone, as follows:

The CPUC's Project Manager is: