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On August 31, 2018, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC or Commission) directed Southern California Edison (SCE) to supplement the record with additional analyses of alternatives which may satisfy the needs of the Valley South System (ordering Paragraph 4 of Decision 18-08-026). On April 10, 2020, the CPUC issued an email Ruling directing SCE to file: (1) a compliance filing its additional analyses of alternatives which may satisfy the needs of the Valley South System to supplement the record Application (A.) 09-09-022, pursuant to D.18-08-026; and (2) an amendment to its application consistent with its additional analyses of alternatives which may satisfy the needs of the Valley South System, including a corresponding amended Proponent’s Environmental Assessment (PEA) reflecting the additional analyses as appropriate. In response, SCE filed an amendment to its application on May 11, 2020 including a corresponding amended PEA ( Application A.09-09-022, second amendment ). See the Data Requests and Responses section below for SCE’s responses to the CPUC’s request to supplement the existing record with additional analyses. See the Alberhill System Project Energy Division Staff Report for an independent evaluation of the SCE supplemental analysis and materials provided to the CPUC as part of their response to Decision 18-08-026.

SCE filed a third amendment to its application and PEA on June 2, 2023 (Application A.09-09-022, third amendment; PEA, third amendment Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3) that included technical design modifications and engineering refinements to the Alberhill System Project. Modifications include replacing gas-insulated switchgear with air-insulated switchgear; leveraging existing infrastructure that has been constructed as part of the Valley-Ivyglen Project; and utilizing helicopter construction.

The Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report (Addendum) was issued in June 2024. The Addendum documents Energy Division’s independent analysis of the changes to the project application made by SCE since the 2017 Final Environmental Impact Report and the data provided in SCE’s Proponent’s Environmental Assessment.

Project History

SCE submitted an application for the Alberhill System Project (proposed Alberhill Project) to the CPUC on September 30, 2009 ( Application A.09-09-022 ). SCE filed an amendment to the application on March 15, 2010 (Application A.09-09-022, amended) and filed amended sections of the Proponent’s Environmental Assessment (PEA) on April 11, 2011. The amended sections of the PEA propose modifications to the two 500-kV transmission line alignments included in the original PEA. The modified alignments would avoid the Lake Mathews-Estelle Mountain Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat core reserve.

The CPUC determined that it would be in the public’s best interest to consolidate the CEQA analyses for the SCE Valley–Ivyglen Subtransmission Project Petition for Modification (PFM) application (A. 07-01-031; proposed Valley–Ivyglen Project) and the proposed Alberhill Project Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) application into a single CEQA document for reasons that are discussed further below. As the lead agency, the CPUC prepared one Draft and one Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to evaluate the environmental impacts of both projects in accordance with the criteria, standards, and procedures of the CEQA (Public Resources Code sections 21000 et seq. and California Code of Regulations Title 14, sections 15000 et seq.).

Project Overview

The proposed Alberhill Project would serve the cities of Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Perris, Menifee, Murrieta, Hot Springs, Temecula, and Wildomar as well as surrounding unincorporated areas of Riverside County.

The proposed Alberhill Project, as described in SCE’s third amendment to its application and PEA, would include the following components:

The Alberhill Substation is proposed to be built on approximately 39 to 44 acres of a 124-acre property located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Temescal Canyon Road and Concordia Ranch Road in unincorporated western Riverside County. The two new 500-kV transmission lines would each extend approximately 1.5 miles northeast to connect the proposed Alberhill Substation to the existing Serrano–Valley 500-kV transmission line. The 115-kV subtransmission line modifications and construction would occur southeast from the proposed Alberhill Substation to Skylark Substation (approximately 11.5 miles) and from Skylark Substation to Newcomb Substation (approximately 9 miles).

SCE designed the proposed Alberhill Project to meet long-term forecasted electrical demand in the proposed Alberhill Project area and to increase electrical system reliability. SCE estimates that construction of the proposed Alberhill Project would take approximately 30 months.

A description of the Valley–Ivyglen Project is located on the Valley–Ivyglen website: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/Environment/info/ene/ivyglen/ivyglen.html

Environmental Review Process

SCE's proposed Valley–Ivyglen Project and proposed Alberhill Project would be constructed within the same right-of-way (ROW) from the intersection of Collier Avenue and Third Street in the City of Lake Elsinore northwest approximately 6.5 miles to the proposed Alberhill Substation site. Within this ROW, the 115-kV conductor required for the proposed Alberhill Project would be installed on the 115-kV structures constructed as part of the proposed Valley–Ivyglen Project. Because the components of the proposed Valley-Ivyglen Project are required for construction of the proposed Alberhill Project, and the two proposed projects would be constructed during the same period, the CPUC determined that it would be in the public's best interest to consolidate the CEQA analyses for the proposed Alberhill System Project CPCN application and the proposed Valley–Ivyglen Project PFM application into a single CEQA document.

As the lead agency, the CPUC will prepare one Draft and one Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to evaluate the environmental impacts of both projects in accordance with the criteria, standards, and procedures of CEQA (Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et seq. and California Code of Regulations Title 14, sections 15000 et seq.).

NOP and Public Scoping

The CPUC circulated a third Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the proposed Valley–Ivyglen Project (with project changes as described in the amended 2014 PFM) and proposed Alberhill Project to the State Clearinghouse, responsible and trustee agencies, other agencies, tribes, elected officials, organizations, owners and occupants of contiguous properties, residents, and other interested parties on May 6, 2015. The circulated NOP opened a 30-day scoping period on the scope and content of the EIR beginning on May 6, 2015 and ending on June 5, 2015. A copy of the May 6, 2015 NOP is available here.

The CPUC hosted two scoping meetings for the proposed projects on May 18, 2015. One meeting was held at the Cesar E. Chavez Library in Perris from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. The second meeting was held at the Lake Elsinore Cultural Arts Center in Lake Elsinore from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Each meeting began with a brief presentation, followed by a period to answer specific questions about the proposed projects. Click the following links to view materials provided at the meetings:

The public and agencies were invited to submit written comments until the scoping period ended on June 5, 2015. Information on the two previous NOPs and their respective scoping periods are available under Other Available Documents. The CPUC based the information and extent of analysis presented in the Draft EIR on input and comments received during all three public scoping periods.

Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Public Comment Period

As the CEQA Lead Agency, the CPUC prepared a Draft EIR for the proposed project in accordance with CEQA. Links to view the Notice of Completion, Notice of Availability, and Draft EIR are provided below.

Hardcopies of the Draft EIR are available at the following repositories:

Lake Elsinore Library
600 West Graham Avenue
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
(951) 674-4517 		Paloma Valley Library
31375 Bradley Road
Menifee, CA 92584
(951) 301-3682
Canyon Lake Library
31516 Railroad Canyon Road
Canyon Lake, CA 92587
(951) 244-9181 		City of Perris Cesar E. Chavez Library
163 East San Jacinto Avenue
Perris, CA 92570
(951) 657-2358
Wildomar Library
34303 Mission Trail
Wildomar, CA 92595
(951)471-3855

The CPUC's original public review period for the Draft EIR was April 14, 2016 through May 31, 2016. The CPUC approved an extension of the public review period to July 15, 2016. The Notice of Extension of the Public Review Period for the Draft EIR can be found here. Written comments on the Draft EIR may be submitted using any of the following methods:

Email: ASP@wsp.com
Fax: 415-398-5326 		Mail: California Public Utilities Commission
RE: VIG/ASP
c/o Ecology and Environment, Inc.
505 Sansome Street, Suite #300
San Francisco, CA 94111

The CPUC held public meetings on May 11 and 12, 2016, to explain the proposed projects, discuss the proposed projects' significant impacts, and receive comments on the Draft EIR from the public. The first meeting was held at the Lake Elsinore Cultural Arts Center in Lake Elsinore from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on May 11, 2016. The second was held at the Cesar E. Chavez Library in Perris from 12:30 to 2:30 pm on May 12, 2016. Each meeting began with a brief presentation, followed by a period to answer specific questions about the proposed projects, and then an oral public comment period. Click the following links to view materials provided at the meetings:

The public and agencies were invited to submit written comments until the public review period ended on July 15, 2016. The CPUC will base the information and extent of analysis to be presented in the Final EIR on input and comments received during the public review period.

Final EIR

The Final EIR, including responses to comments, was released in April 2017. The CPUC will issue separate proposed decisions on SCE's applications for the proposed Valley–Ivyglen Project and the proposed Alberhill Project.

Comments received from agencies and organizations during the public review period may be viewed here.

Cover
TOC
Executive Summary
Chapter 1.0 – Introduction
Chapter 2.0 – Description of the Proposed Projects
Chapter 3.0 – Description of Alternatives
Chapter 4.0 – Introduction to the Environmental Analysis
Section 4.1 – Aesthetics
Section 4.2 – Agriculture and Forestry
Section 4.3 – Air Quality
Section 4.4 – Biological Resources
Section 4.5 – Cultural Resources
Section 4.6 – Geology, Soils, and Minerals
Section 4.7 – Greenhouse Gases
Section 4.8 – Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Section 4.9 – Hydrology and Water Quality
Section 4.10 – Land Use
Section 4.11 – Noise and Vibration
Section 4.12 – Population and Housing
Section 4.13 – Public Services and Utilities
Section 4.14 – Recreation
Section 4.15 – Traffic and Transportation
Chapter 5.0 – Comparison of Alternatives
Chapter 6.0 – Cumulative Impacts
Chapter 7.0 – Other CEQA Considerations
Chapter 8.0 – List of Preparers
Chapter 9.0 – Mitigation Monitoring Compliance and Reporting Plan
Appendix A – Public Scoping Report
Appendix B – Air Quality and GHG Emissions Appendix C: Best Management Practices: 2011 Weed Abatement and Demolition Activities
Appendix D: Alternatives Screening Report and Addendum
Appendix E: Biological Surveys
Appendix F: Biological Technical Reports Appendix G: Special Status Plant Occurrence
Appendix H: MSHCP BMPs and Species-Specific Mitigation Measures
Appendix I: Native American Consultation Materials
Appendix J: Traffic Impact Analysis
Appendix K: Updated Electrical Forecasting and Support for Alternatives Analyses
Appendix L: Responses to Comments
Appendix M: Comments Received on the Draft EIR

Final EIR Errata

An Errata for the Final EIR was issued in February 2018.

Final EIR Errata #2

A second Errata was issued in June 2018.

Alberhill System Project Addendum

The Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report was issued in June 2024.

As discussed above, 2018 Decision (D. 18-08-026) directed SCE to “supplement the [ASP] record with additional analyses of alternatives which may satisfy the needs of the Valley South System.” On May 11, 2020, SCE submitted its Second Amended Application and amendments to the PEA, which incorporated the additional alternative analyses. SCE submitted its Third Amended Application and amendments to the PEA for the ASP on June 2, 2023 that included technical design modifications and engineering refinements to the Alberhill System Project.

The Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report (Addendum) describes the proposed modifications to the proposed Alberhill System Project (ASP) and provides the additional analysis required to adequately address the proposed modifications pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21166 and the Guidelines for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15000, California Code of Regulations Title 14, Chapter 3 (CEQA Guidelines).

The addendum includes: The addendum concluded: On the basis of the information and analysis provided in the attached Alberhill System Project Supplement to the Alternatives Screening Report and PEA Review Memo, CPUC has determined that an Addendum to a Certified Final EIR is the appropriate document to prepare for the proposed project pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15164(b) based on the determination that none of the conditions described in CEQA Guidelines section 15162 calling for the preparation of a subsequent EIR or supplemental EIR have occurred.

Alberhill System Project Energy Division Staff Report

The Final Alberhill System Project Energy Division Staff Report may be viewed here.

As directed in the September 2020 Assigned Commissioner’s Ruling Amending Scoping Memo, the CPUC Energy Division undertook a review of SCE’s amended PEA and any other relevant matters pursuant to CEQA as the procedural next step in the proceeding. The CPUC Energy Division analyzed data provided by SCE in the supplemental information filed in the amended application and PEA, subsequent revisions, and in response to data requests made in 2020 and 2021. The purpose of the Alberhill System Project Energy Division Staff Report is to provide an independent evaluation of the SCE supplemental analysis and materials provided to the CPUC as part of their response to Decision 18-08-026. The Draft Alberhill System Project Energy Division Staff Report was issued in November 2021.

The CPUC Energy Division held a virtual workshop on January 20, 2022, for the parties to the proceeding regarding the Draft Energy Division Staff Report findings. Following the workshop, the CPUC invited the parties to the proceeding, including the applicant, to submit written comments by January 27, 2022. Based on discussions at the January workshop and subsequent written comments, CPUC held a series of technical forums with SCE in the spring and summer 2022 to gain additional understanding and potential alignment around a series of topics. The CPUC also issued a series of data requests (CPUC Supplemental Data Requests 11-17) to support and document the technical forum findings. The Final Alberhill System Project Energy Division Staff Report was issued in September 2023.

Other Available Documents

The documents provided in this section are listed in reverse chronological order.

Previous Notices of Preparation

The CPUC issued two NOPs prior to the NOP issued on May 6, 2015. The first NOP was distributed on April 13, 2010. The circulated NOP opened a 30-day public comment period on the scope and content of the EIR from April 15 through May 14, 2010. The CPUC conducted a scoping meeting on April 29, 2010, at the Lake Elsinore Cultural Arts Center in Lake Elsinore, California, to solicit comments on the scope of the EIR.

On July 28, 2011, the CPUC circulated a second NOP after determining that the amended PEA was complete on May 26, 2011. Circulation of the second NOP opened a 30-day public comment period from July 28 through August 26, 2011. The CPUC conducted a second scoping meeting on August 18, 2011, at the Lake Elsinore Cultural Arts Center, to solicit comments on the revisions to the proposed project presented in the amended PEA.

Application and Proponent's Environmental Assessment

An application for this project was submitted to the CPUC on September 30, 2009 The CPUC sent SCE a deficiency letter on October 22, 2009 that requested additional information from SCE to satisfy the CPUC's Information and Criteria List. The CPUC reviewed the additional information that SCE submitted and determined the application to be complete on March 26, 2010.

During the CPUC's CEQA review process, the proposed Alberhill Project was found to be infeasible as proposed. On January 24, 2011, the CPUC sent SCE a letter withdrawing its previous determination of completeness and requested a new PEA. SCE submitted an amended PEA on April 11, 2011, and the CPUC deemed the amended PEA complete on May 26, 2011. SCE submitted an amended application and PEA on May 11, 2020, and a 3rd amended application and PEA on June 2, 2023. Click the following links to view the application and PEA for the proposed Alberhill Project.

Data Requests and Responses

As required by the Decision 18-08-026 (see CPUC Application Proceedings Website below), SCE is directed to supplement the existing record with additional analyses. SCE's responses to the CPUC's request are listed below.

Data Request Set: A.09-09-022 ED-SCE-JWS-2, submitted via email (April 8, 2019)

Data Request Set: A.09-09-022 ED-SCE-JWS-2, submitted via email (April 22, 2019)

Data Request Set: A.09-09-022 ED-SCE-JWS-3, submitted via email (November 4, 2019 and January 3, 2020)

Data Request Set: A.09-09-022 ED-SCE-JWS-4, submitted via email (January 2, 2020 and January 8, 2020)

Data Request Set: A.09-09-022 ED-SCE-JWS-4 Revised Items A, C, and G, submitted via email (April 27, 2020 and May 6, 2020)

After SCE filed an amendment to its application on May 11, 2020, SCE discovered certain errors that affected the cost/benefit analysis. In an Amended Motion filed on February 1, 2021 (Application A.09-09-022, Amended Motion) SCE provided updated analyses and corrected information previously submitted into the record on May 11, 2020. The corrected documents are provided below.

SCE filed a Second Amended Motion (Application A.09-09-022, Second Amended Motion) on June 22, 2021, to correct clerical errors in spreadsheet tabular data in SCE’s February 2021 Amended Motion. The corrected documents are provided below.

2020 – 2023 Data Requests

The CPUC reviewed the supplemental analysis and materials provided to the CPUC as part of SCE’s response to Decision 18-08-026. The CPUC identified additional data needed from SCE and submitted data requests to SCE for specific information to support the environmental review process. Those requests are listed below.

Supplemental Data Request #1 (February 14, 2020)
Supplemental Data Request #2 (February 14, 2020)
Supplemental Data Request #3 (April 6, 2020)
Supplemental Data Request #4 (May 13, 2020)
Supplemental Data Request #5 (July 23, 2020)
Supplemental Data Request #6 (September 16, 2020)
Supplemental Data Request #7 (October 13, 2020)
Supplemental Data Request #8 (January 20, 2021)
Supplemental Data Request #9 (March 17, 2021)
Supplemental Data Request #10 (April 21, 2021)
Supplemental Data Request #11 (June 9, 2022)
Supplemental Data Request #12 (June 16, 2022)
Supplemental Data Request #13 (July 12, 2022)
Supplemental Data Request #14 (November 15, 2022)
Supplemental Data Request #15 (December 5, 2022)
Supplemental Data Request #16 (December 23, 2022)
Supplemental Data Request #17 (January 6, 2023)
Supplemental Data Request #18 (August 31, 2023)
Supplemental Data Request #19 (September 29, 2023)
Supplemental Data Request #20 (October 31, 2023)
Supplemental Data Request #21 (February 20, 2024)

SCE’s non-confidential responses to the CPUC’s supplemental data requests listed above are compiled in the following documents:

Supplemental Data Response #1
Supplemental Data Response #2
Attachments: Supplemental Data Response #3
Supplemental Data Response #4
Supplemental Data Response #5
Supplemental Data Response #6
Supplemental Data Response #7
Supplemental Data Response #8
Supplemental Data Response #9
Supplemental Data Response #10
Supplemental Data Response #11
Supplemental Data Response #12
Supplemental Data Response #13
Supplemental Data Response #14
Supplemental Data Response #15
Supplemental Data Response #16
Supplemental Data Response #17
Supplemental Data Response #18
Supplemental Data Response #19
Attachments: Supplemental Data Response #20
Supplemental Data Response #21
Attachments:

2009 - 2016 Data Requests

The CPUC reviewed the application and PEA to identify additional data needed from the SCE to complete the environmental review process. The CPUC submitted data requests to SCE for specific information to support the environmental review process. Those requests are listed below.

Data Request #1 (October 22, 2009)
Data Request #2, submitted via email (November 10, 2009)
Data Request #3 (November 13, 2009)
Data Request #4 (December 11, 2009)
Data Request #5 (January 15, 2010)
Data Request #6 (January 20, 2010)
Data Request #6 – Maps (January 20, 2010)
Data Request #7 (February 18, 2010)
Data Request #8 (May 19, 2010)
Data Request #9 (May 26, 2010)
Data Request #10 (June 24, 2010)
Data Request #11 (August 27, 2010)
Data Request #11 Follow-Up Letter (November 3, 2010) (3.7 MB)
Data Request #12 (May 18, 2011)
Data Request #13 (July 19, 2011)
Data Request #14, Revised (September 2, 2011)
Data Request #15 (January 6, 2012)
Data Request #16 (January 16, 2012)
Data Request #17 (January 23, 2012)
Data Request #18 (February 24, 2012)
Data Request #19 (March 14, 2012)
Data Request #20 (March 22, 2012)
Data Request #21 (March 28, 2012)
Data Request #22 (April 17, 2012)
Data Request #23 (May 15, 2012)
Data Request #24 (June 22, 2012)
Data Request #25 (August 22, 2012)
Data Request #26 (October 5, 2012)
Data Request #27 (November 27, 2011)
Data Request #28 (January 29, 2013)
Data Request #29 (March 1, 2013)
Data Request #30, submitted via email (July 29, 2013)
Data Request A (May 28, 2015)
Data Request B (July 7, 2015)
Data Request C (July 30, 2015)
Data Request D (August 5, 2015)
Data Request E (August 13, 2015)
Data Request F (August 13, 2015)
Data Request G (September 10, 2015)
Data Request H (November 19, 2015)
Data Request I (August 16, 2016)
Data Request J (October 26, 2016)
Data Request J.1 (November 16, 2016)

SCE's non-confidential responses to the CPUC's Data Requests listed above are compiled in the following two documents:

Data Response Package 1 (November 2009 through September 2011) (116.3 MB)
Data Response Package 2 (October 2011 through October 2016) (131.6 MB)

CPUC Application Proceedings Website

The CPUC's proceedings website provides each of the CPUC ruling and decision documents associated with the Alberhill System Project. The CPUC proceedings search website is available at: https://apps.cpuc.ca.gov/apex/f?p=401:1:0. From the proceedings search website, enter “0909022” in the Proceedings Number Search box.

Decision 18-08-026, issued August 31, 2018, directed SCE to supplement the record with additional analyses of alternatives which may satisfy the needs of the Valley South System.

For Additional Information

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

Project email: ASP@wsp.com
Project voicemail: 833-496-2934

The CPUC's Alberhill System Project Manager is:

Michelle Wilson
Energy Division
CEQA and Energy Permitting
505 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Email: Michelle.Wilson@cpuc.ca.gov