Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of the proposed 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 and is available on SDG&E's project website. 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:
Contact Information During Construction
Construction Progress and Mitigation Monitoring
Notices to Proceed
CPUC Variance Approvals
USFS Variance Approvals
Determinations of NEPA Adequacy
Helicopter Operations and FAA Compliance
Project Modifications Report
Final 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

Contact Information During Construction

Project email: sunrise@aspeneg.com Project fax and voicemail: (866) 711-3106

Construction Progress and Mitigation Monitoring

Construction of the Sunrise Powerlink Project began in September 2010 with the establishment of some construction yards and existing substation upgrades. Notices to Proceed (NTPs) have been issued by the CPUC for each of these activities. The majority of construction is expected to start in November/December 2010 once the CPUC and each applicable agency (BLM and/or USFS) issues NTPs for each segment. Issuance of NTPs will be 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, permit applications, and other documents are available in their final form here. NTPs that have been issued to SDG&E are noted in the table below.

SDG&E is constructing the Sunrise Powerlink Project in 25 transmission segments and with several additional work areas and separate substations, as follows:

Notices to Proceed
Segment	Description	Jurisdiction	Type	NTP Request Submitted	NTP Issued	Construction Authorized²
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 non-federal lands only; 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 4	Mountain Springs Grade to Jade (MP23.2 to MP30.3)	CPUC BLM	500 kV Overhead	CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for non-federal lands only; 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 5	Jade to I-8 (McCain Valley) (MP30.3 to MP39.7)	CPUC BLM	500 kV Overhead	CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for non-federal lands only; 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 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 non-federal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11; USFS request submitted 07/29/11	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); 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 non-federal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11; USFS request submitted 07/29/11	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); 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 non-federal lands only; 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 9	MP65.4 to MP70.9	CPUC BLM	500 kV Overhead	CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for non-federal lands only; 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 10	MP70.9 to MP74.8	CPUC BLM USFS	500 kV Overhead	CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for non-federal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11; USFS request submitted 07/29/11	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); 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 non-federal lands only; 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 12	MP77.6 to MP90.0	CPUC BLM USFS	500 kV Overhead	CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for non-federal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11; USFS request submitted 07/29/11	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); 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 non-federal 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 non-federal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11; USFS request submitted 07/29/11	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); 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 non-federal 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 non-federal lands only; BLM request submitted 03/25/11; USFS request submitted 07/29/11	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); 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 non-federal lands only; 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 18	Highway 67 to Sycamore Canyon Substation (MP112.7 to MP118.1)	CPUC	230 kV Overhead	CPUC request submitted 11/09/10 for non-federal lands only; 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 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 non-federal 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 non-federal 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 non-federal 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 non-federal 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

1 - No NTP request submitted as of 04/04/11.
2 - 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. Although changes may be made to the document as construction progresses, a current final version of the MMCRP document and attachments, including a map of the approved route with segments, is found here.

A CPUC Environmental Monitor (EM) is monitoring construction activities to ensure that they are conducted in accordance with the approved mitigation measures and permit conditions. Weekly reports documenting construction status and compliance activities are posted here.

As defined by the MMCRP, at various times throughout project construction, the need for extra workspace or additional access roads may be identified. Similarly, changes to the project requirements (e.g., mitigation measures, specifications, etc.) may be needed to facilitate construction (e.g., nighttime construction in response to a planned power outage) or provide more effective protection of resources (e.g., installation of additional erosion control outside of approved disturbance areas). The CPUC Project Manager, along with the CPUC EMs, will implement 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 is required. Variance Requests processed to date are provided in the table below.

On Cleveland National Forest (CNF) lands the USFS District Ranger will evaluate and provide variance review and approval. Variance requests processed to date are provided in the table below.

SDG&E has submitted a compilation of micrositing changes to the approved Project on BLM lands. A determination of NEPA Adequacy (DNA) was conducted. Please see the table below.

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.

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 (866) 711-3106 (phone or fax) or via email to sunrise@aspeneg.com.

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 (866) 711-3106 (phone or fax) or via email to sunrise@aspeneg.com.

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

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: