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STATE OF CALIFORNIA
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

San Diego Gas & Electric

TL674A Reconfiguration and TL666D Removal Project

Application No. A. 17-06-029

Last Update: November 1, 2023

Introduction

Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the environmental review of proposed TL674A Reconfiguration and TL666D Removal Project. The proposed project will address the safety, environmental, and reliability concerns in San Diego Gas and Electric’s (SDG&E) existing Del Mar Substation area, and ensure that the substation and associated components meet the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) criteria. The applicant proposes to meet NERC criteria by replacing an overhead 69 kV power line (TL666D) that is currently operated in the open position with a new line (TL6974D) of a higher voltage rating, to be renamed TL6973D. The substation and proposed new distribution lines are located in coastal San Diego County, within the jurisdictions of the City of San Diego and the City of Del Mar. Proposed project activities would occur between the existing Del Mar Substation immediately northwest of the intersection of Interstate 5 and Via De La Valle, and an existing steel pole near the intersection of Vista Sorrento Parkway and Pacific Plaza Drive. The application for the Permit to Construct (PTC) was submitted on June 28, 2017 (A. 17-06-029). This site provides access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA review process. Additional project information and documentation will be posted as it becomes available.

Quick Links

• Project Description
• Project Location
• Application and Proponent’s Environmental Assessment
• Data Requests and Responses
• Mitigation Monitoring
• Notices to Proceed
• Minor Project Approvals
• Construction Monitoring Reports
• Draft IS/MND
• Final IS/MND
• Availability of Final IS/MND

Project Description

The Proposed Project would address safety, environmental, and reliability concerns in the Del Mar Substation area. Line TL666D – a 69 kV line extending approximately six miles from the Del Mar Substation to the Del Mar Tap – has experienced multiple outages since 2012, and includes segments within environmentally sensitive areas. The Proposed Project would eliminate the need to access these environmentally sensitive areas to perform maintenance activities. Additionally, the Proposed Project would prevent North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) thermal and voltage deviation violations on line TL674C, and at both the Del Mar and Encinitas Substations, therefore improving operational flexibility to SDG&E’s Grid Operation Department.

Major components of the TL674A Reconfiguration and TL666D Removal Project include the following:

• Reconfigure the existing overhead 69 kV powerline TL674A:
  • Remove 700 feet of existing overhead alignment.
  • Install 1.1 miles of underground 69 kV cable encased in PVC and concrete conduit from a new steel riser pole to the Del Mar Substation.
  • Install four underground splice vaults to facilitate pulling and splicing during installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair.
  • Remove an existing 70-foot-tall tap pole (Pole 1) approximately 500 feet north of Via De La Valle.
  • Install an 85-foot-tall 69 kV steel riser pole (Pole 2) adjacent to Via De La Valle within the Del Mar Horsepark, on a concrete foundation.
  • Install a 65-85-foot-tall 69 kV direct-buried steel pole (Pole 3) within the Del Mar Horsepark.
• Remove the existing 69 kV Line TL666D:
  • Remove existing 69 kV wood poles located within the San Dieguito and Peñasquitos Lagoons and the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Extension by cutting the poles at ground level, leaving the pole bases intact.
  • Remove all conductor associated with line TL666D.
• C510 Conversion from an overhead to underground configuration:
  • Construct approximately 3,600 feet of duct bank, approximately five hand holes, and one pad-mounted transformer and fuse cabinet.
  • Remove five distribution poles adjacent to Racetrack View Drive.
  • Install one directly buried new wood riser pole (Pole 28) at the northwest end of the conversion and one foundation-mounted steel pole (Pole 35) at the southeast end of the conversion to connect to the existing overhead line to the new underground duct bank.
  • Install one new wood pole (Pole 26) approximately 100 feet northwest of Pole 28.
  • Install two additional directly buried wood riser poles (Pole 37 and Pole 41) along the underground route to maintain electrical service in the area.
  • Install two temporary wood poles (Pole 122 and Pole 128) to support and spread the existing 12 kV conductors during the installation of Pole 28 and Pole 35.
• C738 conversion from an overhead to underground configuration:
  • Construct approximately 630 feet of duct bank
  • Remove two wood poles (Pole 124 and Pole 125) adjacent to the Sorrento Valley Pedestrian/Multi-Use Path.
  • Install one new directly buried wood riser pole (Pole 107) and reconfiguring one existing wood pole as a riser pole (Pole 108) to connect the existing overhead line to the new underground duct bank.
  • Convert one existing foundation-mounted steel distribution pole (Pole 127) to a guy pole.

The project would also include the removal and replacement of a circuit breaker at the existing Del Mar Substation to accommodate increased ampacity of TL6973.

Project Location

The Proposed Project is located in the northwestern portion of the City of San Diego and in the City of Del Mar, with portions of the proposed project located within the San Dieguito Lagoon, Los Peñasquitos Lagoon, and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Activities would occur along the approximately six miles of existing overhead power line between the existing Del Mar Substation northwest of the intersection of Interstate 5 and Via De La Valle, and an existing steel pole located near the intersection of Vista Sorrento Parkway and Pacific Plaza Drive. Project components would be installed underground beneath San Dieguito Drive and Racetrack View Drive in the cities of Del Mar and San Diego, and beneath the Sorrento Valley Pedestrian/Multi-Use Path.

Application and Proponent’s Environmental Assessment

SDG&E filed an application (A. 17-06-029) for a PTC and Proponent’s Environmental Assessment (PEA) on June 28, 2016. The PEA provides information to begin the independent environmental review process conducted by the CPUC.

• SDG&E Application
• PEA
• PEA appendices

Deficiencies, Data Requests, and Responses

The CPUC has reviewed the proponent’s application and PEA to identify additional data needed from the Applicant to complete the environmental review process. The CPUC has submitted data requests to the applicant for specific information to support the environmental review process. Those requests and the Applicant’s responses are included below.

CPUC Report/Request	SDG&E’s Response	Attachments
Deficiency Letter #1 (7/26/2017)	SDG&E’s Response to Deficiency Letter #1 (8/28/2017)	Attachment A: Approvals and Conditions (18.5 MB) Attachment B: Del Mar Substation Map Attachment C: Revised Project Components Map (10.9 MB) Biological Technical Report (165 MB) Cultural Resources Survey Report (non-confidential) (6.2 MB) Paleontological Technical Study (non-confidential) (17.9 MB)
CPUC Application Completeness Letter(9/27/2017)	N/A	N/A
Data Request #1 (11/9/2017)	SDG&E’s Response to Data Request #1	N/A
Data Request #2 (12/12/2017)	SDG&E’s Response to Data Request #2	Cultural resources site forms (confidential) Cultural Resources Site Record Crosswalk EDR Datamap Corridor Study Map Impervious Surface Summary
Data Request #3 (5/21/2018)	SDG&E’s Response to Data Request #3	Jurisdiction waters assessment spatial data layer Wandering Skipper Survey Report (17.5 MB) Mapped natural communities spatial data
N/A – Verbal request for estimated project-related water use	Project Water Use Estimate Memorandum (4.8 MB)	N/A
Data Request #4 (2/4/2019)	SDG&E’s Response to Data Request #4	Revised Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Mitigation Monitoring

The CPUC developed a Mitigation Monitoring and Compliance Reporting Program (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 December 2020, SDG&E submitted the MMCRP, with a construction schedule and procedures for work to be completed. SDG&E submitted a revised (Version 2) of the MMCRP in February 2022, and it is available here.

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 Receivd from SDG&E	NTP Request Approved by CPUC
NTP-1	Commence construction of the regonfiguration of Tie Line (TL) 674A	October 19, 2020	November 16, 2020

Minor Project Approvals

Minor Project Approval	Description	Request from SDG&E	Date Approved
MPR-1	Reconfiguration of TL674A due to changes in the final engineering design and data for the Final Initial Study	October 19, 2020	November 16, 2020
MPR-2	Alternative access road use extension due to the presence of an Osprey nest precluding the use of the original access road to the Durante Fly Yard	April 5, 2022	April 12, 2022
MPR-3	Relocation of Vault 113 45 feet northeast due to the discovery of an AT&T vault	April 18, 2022	April 21, 2022
MPR-4	Shifting handholes, pole locations, and adjusting underground alignment	October 18, 2022	November 14, 2022
MPR-5	Reducing the footprint of Durante Fly Yard, increasing the footprint of Torrey Pines Fly Yard	November 14, 2022	December 9, 2022

Construction Monitoring Reports

Construction Month and Year	Associated Notice to Proceed
January 2022	NTP-1
February 2022	NTP-1
March 2022	NTP-1
April 2022	NTP-1
May 2022	NTP-1
June 2022	NTP-1
July 2022	NTP-1
August 2022	NTP-1
September 2022	NTP-1
October 2022	NTP-1
November 2022	NTP-1; NTP-2
December 2022	NTP-1; NTP-2
January 2023	NTP-1; NTP-2
February 2023	NTP-1; NTP-2
March 2023	NTP-1; NTP-2

Draft IS/MND

On December 6, 2018, the CPUC released a Notice of Intent (NOI) to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the TL674A Reconfiguration and TL666D Removal Project, The Draft IS/MND was circulated from December 6, 2018 through January 7, 2019. Links to view the Draft IS/MND are provided below:

Draft IS/MND (main document)

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• 1.0 Mitigated Negative Declaration
• 2.0 Environmental Determination
• 3.0 Introduction to the Initial Study
• 4.0 Project Description (7 MB)
• 5.0 Environmental Setting and Impacts
  1. 5.1 Aesthetics
  2. 5.2 Agriculture and Forest Resources
  3. 5.3 Air Quality
  4. 5.4 Biological Resources (20.5 MB)
  5. 5.5 Cultural Resources
  6. 5.6 Geology and Soils (4.9 MB)
  7. 5.7 Greenhouse Gases
  8. 5.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
  9. 5.9 Hydrology and Water Quality (3.2 MB)
  10. 5.10 Land Use and Planning
  11. 5.11 Mineral Resources
  12. 5.12 Noise (6.3 MB)
  13. 5.13 Population and Housing
  14. 5.14 Public Services (6.2 MB)
  15. 5.15 Recreation (3.2 MB)
  16. 5.16 Transportation and Traffic (3.3 MB)
  17. 5.17 Tribal Cultural Resources
  18. 5.18 Utilities and Service Systems
  19. 5.19 Mandatory Findings of Significance
• 6.0 Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan
• 7.0 List of Preparers

Draft IS/MND Appendices

• Appendix A: Air Quality Emissions Report
• Appendix B: Biological Survey Reports (85.1 MB)
• Appendix C: Master Species Table
• Appendix D: Cultural Resources Survey Report (6.2 MB)
• Appendix E: Greenhouse Gases
• Appendix F: Hazards and Hazardous Materials (5.6 MB)
• Appendix G: Land Use Policy Matrix
• Appendix H: Tribal Cultural Resources Correspondence (5.3 MB)
• Appendix I: Paleontological Technical Study (18 MB)
• Appendix J: Detailed Project Components Maps (8.6 MB)

Final IS/MND

On March 21, 2019, the CPUC published the Final IS/MND for the TL674A Reconfiguration and TL666D Removal Project. Links to view the Final IS/MND are provided below:

Final IS/MND (main document)

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• 1.0 Mitigated Negative Declaration
• 2.0 Environmental Determination
• 3.0 Introduction to the Initial Study
• 4.0 Project Description (7.1 MB)
• 5.0 Environmental Setting and Impacts
  1. 5.1 Aesthetics
  2. 5.2 Agriculture and Forest Resources
  3. 5.3 Air Quality
  4. 5.4 Biological Resources (20.5 MB)
  5. 5.5 Cultural Resources
  6. 5.6 Geology and Soils (4.9 MB)
  7. 5.7 Greenhouse Gases
  8. 5.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
  9. 5.9 Hydrology and Water Quality (3.2 MB)
  10. 5.10 Land Use and Planning
  11. 5.11 Mineral Resources
  12. 5.12 Noise (6.2 MB)
  13. 5.13 Population and Housing
  14. 5.14 Public Services (6.1 MB)
  15. 5.15 Recreation (3.2 MB)
  16. 5.16 Transportation and Traffic (3.3 MB)
  17. 5.17 Tribal Cultural Resources
  18. 5.18 Utilities and Service Systems
  19. 5.19 Mandatory Findings of Significance
• 6.0 Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan
• 7.0 Responses to Comments (24.5 MB)
• 8.0 Other Revisions to IS/MND
• 9.0 List of Preparers

Final IS/MND Appendices

• Appendix A: Air Quality Emissions Report (3.6 MB)
• Appendix B: Biological Survey Reports (85.1 MB)
• Appendix C: Master Species Table
• Appendix D: Cultural Resources Survey Report (6.2 MB)
• Appendix E: Greenhouse Gases
• Appendix F: Hazards and Hazardous Materials (5.6 MB)
• Appendix G: Land Use Policy Matrix
• Appendix H: Tribal Cultural Resources Correspondence (5.3 MB)
• Appendix I: Paleontological Technical Study (18 MB)
• Appendix J: Detailed Project Components Maps (8.6 MB)
• Appendix K: Contact Reports (5 MB)

The public may present comments about the project and Draft IS/MND. Written comments must be postmarked or received by fax or email no later than January 7, 2019. Please be sure to include your name, address, and telephone number in correspondence. Send written comments to:

TL674A Reconfiguration and TL666D Removal Project
c/o Ecology and Environment, Inc.
Attn: Silvia Yanez, Project Manager
505 Sansome Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94111

Fax: (415) 398-5326
Email: TL674A.CPUC@ene.com

Availability of Final IS/MND

Hardcopies of the Final IS/MND will be available for review at the following public access locations:

San Diego County Public Library, Del Mar Branch
1309 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 755-1666

San Diego County Public Library, Central Library
330 Park Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 236-5800

If you would like to request a hard copy of the Final IS/MND, please call: 1 (844) 422-9692, or email: TL674A.CPUC@ene.com.

Additional Information

Additional information will be posted as it becomes available. The CPUC, through its Environmental Review Team, in conducting an environmental review of the project. To request additional information, ask a question, or be added to the project mailing list, please contact:

Email: TL674A.CPUC@ene.com
Fax: (415) 796-0846
Voicemail: (844) 422-9692 (toll-free)

U.S. Mail or Courier:
John Forsythe
California Public Utilities Commission
c/o WSP USA, Inc.
425 Market Street, 17th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105