Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of the proposed LS Power Grid California, LLC (LSPGC or the Applicant) Gates 500 kV Dynamic Reactive Support Project (Project). This website provides access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA review process.
Introduction and Background
The Applicant, in its CPUC application (A.21-02-018), filed on February 19, 2021, requests a Permit to Construct (PTC) for the construction and operation of the Gates 500kV Dynamic Reactive Support Project (the Project). The application includes the Proponent’s Environmental Assessment (PEA) prepared pursuant to Rule 2.4 of the CPUC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. Under CPUC General Order 131-D, approval of the Project must comply with CEQA.
The Project site would be located on an approximately 20-acre site located in an unincorporated portion of southwestern Fresno County (see Location Map), adjacent to and directly north of the existing PG&E Gates 500 kV Substation. The proposed Project was identified by the California Independent System Operator Corporation (CAISO) in its 2018-2019 Transmission Plan as a “reliability-driven” project that would address and mitigate voltage support issues by providing system stability and reliability. Specifically, construction of the Project would support the regional transmission system by providing voltage support and grid stability at the PG&E Gates Substation. This would facilitate the reliable operation of the extra high voltage transmission system in the electrical vicinity of the PG&E Gates Substation after the Diablo Canyon nuclear generating units are decommissioned and removed from service.
The Project would include construction of two Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) units* (and ancillary components) that would connect to the existing PG&E Gates Substation via two new 300-foot long single circuit 500 kV transmission lines. In addition to the STATCOM units, ancillary components, and interconnection components, the Project would involve the improvement to an existing and/or the construction of a new access road.
* A STATCOM unit is a regulating device facility that keeps transmission voltages within specified parameters, reduces transmission losses, and increases transmission capacity, improving system stability and reliability.
Current Project Status
The CPUC voted unanimously to approve the Project and close the formal proceeding for the PTC on December 15, 2022. The CPUC’s Decision 22-12-048 was issued on December 15, 2022. On December 22, 2022, LSPGC submitted a Notice to Proceed Request for construction of the Project that was approved by CPUC on January 10, 2023. (see below). Approval of the NTP Request included all project components. Construction began in April of 2023 and is anticipated to be completed in June of 2024.
Project Construction Mitigation Monitoring
A Mitigation Monitoring, Compliance, and Reporting Program (MMCRP) was approved by the CPUC to ensure compliance with applicant proposed measures and CPUC mitigation measures identified in the Final IS/MND and adopted in Decision 22-12-048.
Mitigation Monitoring, Compliance and Reporting Program
Notices to Proceed
LSPGC must obtain a Notice to Proceed (NTP) from the CPUC prior to initiating construction activities in accordance with the procedures outlined in the MMCRP. The NTP Request submitted by LSPGC and subsequent CPUC NTP approval is provided in the table below:
| Description | Date Submitted | Approval Date |
|
| NTP Request | Request of the full Project approval for the Orchard Substation to connect to the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) Gates Substation, PG&E will construct and operate two single-circuit 500 kV interconnection transmission lines from the Gates Substation 500 kV bus to the Orchard Substation 500 kV take-off towers. The Project was conditionally approved with the implementation of Applicant Proposed Measures and Mitigation Measures adopted in the Mitigation Monitoring, Compliance, and Reporting Program (MMCRP). | 12/22/2022 | CPUC Approval 1/10/2023 |
Minor Project Refinements
Minor project refinements (MPRs) are strictly limited to changes that will not trigger an additional permit requirement (except local government ministerial permits and associated requirements), do not substantially increase the severity of a previously identified significant impact based on criteria used in the IS/MND, create a new significant impact, are located within the geographic boundary of the study area of the IS/MND, and that do not conflict with any mitigation measure or applicable law or policy. The NTP Request includes two minor Project refinements consisting of a reduction of grading required for the substation pad and the increase in size of the Orchard Substation static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) enclosures. These minor refinements were approved as part of the NTP.
| Date Submitted | Approval Date | |
| MPR-1 | 5/5/2023 | CPUC Approval 5/5/2023 |
| MPR-2 | 6/28/2023 | CPUC Approval 6/30/23 |
| MPR-3 | 9/11/2023 | CPUC Approval 9/18/23 |
Quarterly Reports
Consistent with the MMCRP provided above, the Applicant (LS Power) must provide the CPUC with written quarterly reports of the Project to include progress of construction, resulting impacts, mitigation implemented and all other noteworthy elements of the project. Quarterly reports are required as long as the mitigation measures are applicable. Quarterly compliance reports submitted by the LS Power are provided below.
LS Power Orchard Sub Quarterly Compliance Report Q2 2023
LS Power Orchard Sub Quarterly Compliance Report Q3 2023
LS Power Orchard Sub Quarterly Compliance Report Q4 2023
.
Environmental Review
The CPUC prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) to evaluate the environmental effects of the Gates 500kV Dynamic Reactive Support Project. The table below shows milestones and anticipated dates associated with the environmental review process.
| Project Milestones as of April 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Milestone | Date |
| Application and PEA submitted by the Applicant | February 19, 2021 |
| Application Deemed Complete | March 25, 2021 |
| Initial Study Preparation Begins | April 2021 |
| Initial Study Publication | April 2022 |
| Public Review of IS/MND | April 22, 2022 - May 23, 2022 |
| Final IS/MND
|
July 13, 2022 |
| Commission Decision | December 15, 2022 |
| NTPR Submittal | December 22, 2022 |
| NTP Issued | January 10, 2023 |
| Start of Construction | April 2023 |
| Estimated Construction Completion Date | June 2024 |
Availability of the Public Draft IS/MND
Copies of the Public Draft IS/MND were made available for public review at the libraries identified below and on this project website.
Fresno County Public Library |
Coalinga-Huron District Library |
Huron Public Library |
Public Comments
The Draft IS/MND was made available for public review from April 22, 2022 to May 23, 2022. No comments were received during the public review period.
Documents Available for Review
Public documents related to the Proposed Project and PEA for the Gates 500 kV Dynamic Reactive Support Project can be found here:
Notice of Determination (NOD) (December 15, 2022)
Notice of Completion
Final Initial Study Mitigated Negative Declaration (July 13, 2022)
Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (April 22, 2022)
Notice of Intent (April 22, 2022)
LSPGC PTC Application (February 19, 2021)
Proponent’s Environmental Assessment (PEA) (February 2021)
PEA Appendix 1-A Figures
PEA Appendix 4.3-A Air Quality Assessment
PEA Appendix 4.4-A Biological Resources
PEA Appendix 4.6-A Fuel Use Calculations
PEA Appendix 4.7-A Preliminary Geotechnical Engineering Report
PEA Appendix 4.7-B Paleontological Resources Technical Report
PEA Appendix 4.8-A Greenhouse Gas Screening Letter
PEA Appendix 4.9-A Phase l Environmental Site Assessment
PEA Appendix 4.18-A Sacred Lands File Search Results (confidential not posted)
PEA Appendix 4.18-B NAHC Contacts List and Appendix 4.18-C – Tribal Communication
CPUC PEA Completeness Letter (March 25, 2021)
CPUC Requested Information
CPUC Initial Information Request to PG&E (December 4, 2020)
PG&E Response to Initial Data Request 1 (December 18, 2020)
PG&E Response to Initial Data Request 2 (March 24, 2021)
CPUC Data Request 1 (March 25, 2021)
LSPGC Response to Data Request 1 (April 15, 2021)
LSPGC Response to Data Request 1 Updated (May 12, 2021)
CPUC Data Request 2 (July 8, 2021)
PG&E Response to Data Request 2
CPUC Data Request 3 (November 16, 2021)
LSPGC Response to Data Request 3 (December 6, 2021)
PG&E Response to Data Request 3 (November 30, 2021)
CPUC Data Request 4 (November 30, 2021)
LSPGC Response to Data Request 4 (December 7, 2021)
For Additional Information
The CPUC, through its Environmental Review Team, is managing the environmental review of the Project. To request additional information, or to be added to the mailing list, please contact us:
Project email:
lspgates@esassoc.com
Project voicemail: (707) 796-7002
The CPUC’s Project Manager is:
Boris Sanchez
California Public Utilities Commission
Infrastructure Planning and CEQA, Energy Division
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, California 94102
Email: Boris.Sanchez@cpuc.ca.gov
Public Comment Mailing Address:
California Public-Utilities Commission
Attn: Gates/ Michael Manka
c/o Environmental Science Associates
1425 N. McDowell Blvd. Ste. 200
Petaluma, CA 94954