The proposed Nortech Substation is located in the City of San Jose. The General Plan designation is Light Industrial (LI) and the zoning is Industrial (I).

The Trimble-Nortech power line is located in the City of San Jose. The General Plan designations in areas crossed by the power line are Industrial Park (IP) and Light Industrial (LI). Adjacent areas to the power line include the preceding designations as well as Combined Industrial Commercial (CIC), Medium High Density Residential (MHDR), Very High Density Residential (VHDR), Public/Quasi-Public (P/Q-P), Public Park/Open Space (PP/OS) and Private/Open Space (P/S). The zoning designations include Industrial District (I), Residence District (R-3-B), Agricultural (A), Agricultural Planned District (A(PD)), Manufacturing District (M-4).

The Kifer-Nortech power line is located mostly in the City of Santa Clara and partly in the City of San Jose. City of Santa Clara General Plan designations for the area crossed by or adjacent to the power line include: Industrial Transition (IT) and Light Industrial (LI), Residential including Moderate Density (MoD), Single Family Detached (SFD), and Single Family Attached (SFA); and Public Facilities including Institutional (Inst), Urban Reserve (UR), Parks and Recreation (P&R) and Open Space (OS). The City of San Jose General Plan Designations include Light Industrial (LI) and Combined Industrial Commercial (CIC). The City of Santa Clara zoning for areas crossed by the power line includes Light Industrial (ML). The City of San Jose zoning is Industrial (I).

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) proposes to build and operate a 115 kiloVolt (kV) - 21 kV distribution substation, called the Nortech Substation, and two 115 kV power lines in the Cities of San Jose and Santa Clara, California. The project is referred to as the North San Jose Capacity Project. The two 115 kV power lines would be constructed to bring energy to the new Nortech Substation from two existing facilities, the Kifer Receiving Station in Santa Clara, and the Trimble Substation in San Jose. The Trimble-Nortech 115 kV power line would be located in San Jose, and the Kifer-Nortech 115 kV power line would be located in both Santa Clara and San Jose. The locations of project facilities are shown in Figure 1, Project Location.

Growth in economic activity in northern Santa Clara County brings growth in electric demand. PG&E electric load studies indicate that, without immediate action, loads within the North San Jose 21 kV Distribution Planning Area (DPA) will exceed PG&E's existing substation capacity by the summer of 1999. The peak electric load for the North San Jose DPA was 153.8 MegaWatts (MW) in 1996 and 180.5 MW in 1997. This increase was mostly due to new block loads. Based on PG&E load growth projections, the area's electricity demand will grow 10.1 MW per year. In addition, PG&E estimates 113.6 MW of block loads and transfers during the next three years.

To meet part of the forecasted demand through 1998, PG&E is constructing the River Oaks 115 kV - 21 kV Substation on Center Street, adjacent to the Agnews Cogeneration Facility. This two-bank substation will be in operation by the summer of 1998, and will provide capacity for the northeastern portion of the DPA – that part north of River Oaks Drive.

While River Oaks will provide short-term relief, construction of the Nortech Substation and associated power lines would be required to provide additional capacity. PG&E's projected electric load deficiency in the North San Jose DPA after construction of the River Oaks Substation will be 48 MW in 1999 without construction of the Nortech Substation.

The primary project facilities are as follows:

New Facilities

Nortech 115 kV – 21 kV Substation

Kifer - Nortech 115 kV power line

Trimble - Nortech 115 kV power line

Existing Facilities

Kifer 115 kV Receiving Station

Trimble 115 kV - 21 kV Substation

These facilities are described in more detail below.

At full build-out, the Nortech Substation would contain three 45 MVA 115 kV - 21 kV transformers, high voltage circuit breakers, disconnect and bypass switches, a 115 kV bus structure, two 115 kV pull off/dead-end structures and two 115 kV power line poles. The substation would also have a 100-foot-tall steel lattice microwave tower with two microwave dishes. The Nortech site would be fenced, lighted and landscaped. The substation also would have a paved driveway for internal circulation of vehicles.

The Nortech Substation would be designed as a three-bank substation, however only two banks may be installed in 1999. The third transformer would be installed when required by electric load growth. See Figure 2, Nortech 115 kV - 21 kV Substation, Plan View and Elevation, which shows the plan view and two elevations for the Nortech Substation.

Drainage inside the Nortech Substation would be designed to protect the equipment and move stormwater runoff out of the substation. The site would require approximately 20,000 cubic yards of fill to raise the site to an elevation of approximately 6 feet above the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) to reduce the potential for flooding. Electrical equipment would be set above the 100-year flood elevation to provide for continuous operation during a flood.

The substation would include a 30-foot by 20-foot by 3-foot vertical walled concrete Spill Prevention Countermeasure and Control (SPCC) pond, located near the northern edge of the substation property. The pond's capacity of 11, 220 gallons would be 110% percent of the volume of the largest transformer, a safety factor to hold rainwater. The top of the pond would be at a minimum elevation of approximately 6 feet above NGVD. Rainfall will enter the pond via sheet flow. A berm would surround each piece of oil-filled equipment and a buried drainpipe would direct any oil leaks to the pond.

Evergreen shrubs would be planted, approximately five to six feet on center, as a screen along the outside perimeter of the chain link fence on the south and west sides of the substation. Several small trees would be planted along the south and west sides of the property to create additional screening.

A 100-foot-tall lattice steel microwave tower would be located on the substation property, adjacent to the substation switchgear building. The tower would have two microwave dishes and would serve to protect the substation and connecting power lines. In the event of a downed power line, high-speed relays would use the microwave system to open the appropriate circuit breakers before the power service could be degraded.

If flood waters rise above an elevation of 6 feet above NGVD, the Nortech Substation and its SPCC pond would be temporarily flooded. The substation would be constructed to continue to operate with floodwaters at an elevation of 9 feet above NGVD.

Substation electrical structures would generally range in height from 7 to 40 feet. The exception would be the microwave tower and two, 85-foot-tall, tubular steel poles that tap into the power line. These two poles would be on the substation property just south of the substation fence.

The substation would be designed for nine distribution feeders. Initially, four feeders, two from each of the two transformer banks, would be built in 1999. All distribution feeders would leave the Substation in underground conduits. The distribution feeder routes would be in public road right-of-ways, known as franchise areas, except as noted below.

The Kifer Receiving Station is located on Comstock Street and Duane Avenue, near Lafayette Street, in the City of Santa Clara. One new 115 kV circuit breaker would be added at the existing substation. See Figure 3, Kifer Receiving Station, Plan View and Elevation.

The Trimble Substation is located on Component Drive, just off North First Street, in the City of San Jose. One new 115 kV circuit breaker would be added at the existing substation. See Figure 4, Trimble Substation, Plan View and Elevation

The power line would be a 115 kV single-circuit line built on light-duty steel poles and self-supporting tubular steel poles 60-90 feet in height. The approximate distance between poles would vary from 300 to 600 feet (300 to 450 feet for light duty steel poles and 500 to 600 feet for self-supporting tubular steel poles). The power line would require 11 new poles at new locations and approximately 57 new poles replacing existing poles.

The Kifer - Nortech power line route would be generally located along public roads and existing distribution line easements. Beginning at the Kifer Receiving Station and moving north across vacant land, the existing Kifer - Agnew 60 kV wood pole power line would be replaced by a steel pole 115 kV power line.

The new power line would follow the 60 kV alignment north, crossing Duane Avenue, which parallels Highway 101. After crossing Highway 101, the power line would follow Bassett Road to the point where Bassett Road intersects the South Pacific Railroad tracks. From that point the power line would angle northwest, across the railroad tracks to the east side of Lafayette Street. The power line would leave the 60 kV alignment at the entrance to the Agnews Developmental Center (West Campus) and continue north along the east side of Lafayette Street, along the City of Santa Clara's distribution line. The line would be entirely within the road franchise along Lafayette Street. The route would cross SR 237 where Lafayette Street becomes Gold Street.

Along Lafayette Street and Gold Street, the City of Santa Clara’s distribution line would be rebuilt to accommodate the new single-circuit 115 kV power line. After crossing SR 237, the route would angle east away from the distribution line and would cross the Guadalupe River. The 115 kV power line would continue to run east along the northern edge of the SR 237 right-of-way. The line would cross the interchange of SR 237 and North First Street and then would continue into the proposed Nortech Substation site.

Kifer - Nortech Power Poles

The proposed Kifer - Nortech power line would use a combination of structures designed to support a 115 kV single-circuit with distribution lines underneath. Poles would be of light-duty

steel and of self-supporting tubular steel. See Figure 5, Kifer-Nortech and Trimble-Nortech Power Line Poles.

Along Lafayette Street, the power line would be constructed on tri-post, light-duty steel poles. In areas where buildings are close to the conductors, the power poles would have a three vertical phase arrangement. The light-duty steel poles would be between 60 and 90 feet high, installed directly in the ground with spans of 300 to 450 feet.

Single-circuit galvanized steel poles with foundations and anchor bolts would be installed where the span would be 500 to 600 feet long or where a strong support structure is required. The steel poles will vary in height from 75 to 90 feet tall. Two of these poles would be installed at the Guadalupe River crossing, and one at each angle point along Lafayette Street and SR 237.

From Lafayette Street and SR 237 to the proposed Nortech Substation, the power line would be constructed using steel poles to support a single-circuit 115 kV line with a 21 kV distribution line position. This section would have approximately nine poles ranging from 66 to 85 feet tall.

The Trimble - Nortech 115 kV Power Line would be a double-circuit line constructed on self-supporting tubular steel poles, 80 to 95 feet in height. The approximate distance between the poles would range from 550 to 800 feet. The power line would require 19 new poles and 16 new poles that would replace existing poles.

The 115 kV power line would leave the Trimble Substation on the southeast side along Component Drive. At this point, the power line would join the existing Newark - Trimble 115 kV single-circuit power line, which would be reconstructed to a double-circuit configuration to accommodate both power lines from Trimble Substation to a proposed structure on the southeast corner of Trimble and Zanker Road (approximately 0.6 miles).

After leaving the Trimble Substation, the combined Newark - Trimble and Trimble - Nortech 115 kV power line would travel northwest along Component Drive and cross North First Street. From that point, the power line would angle northwest and continue along the east side of North First Street to Trimble Road. At Trimble Road, the power line would angle northeast and continue along the south side of Trimble Road within private easements. The lines, cross arms, and conductors would be within the road right-of-way, but existing underground infrastructure would preclude placing poles directly in the right-of-way.

At the intersection of Trimble and Zanker Road, the Trimble - Nortech 115 kV power line would angle northwest diverging from the Newark -Trimble 115 kV double circuit power line. From this point to the intersection of SR 237 and Zanker Road, the power line would be constructed on a new 115 kV double-circuit power line(1). The Trimble – Nortech 115 kV power line then would continue northwest along the eastern edge of the Zanker Road right-of-way to SR 237. As on Trimble Road, some conductors on Zanker Road would be within the road right-of-way; however, existing underground infrastructure precludes placing the poles within the right-of-way. The poles would be located on private property requiring new easements.

At the interchange of Zanker Road and SR 237, the power line would cross to the northwest corner of SR 237 and Zanker Road. From this point, the power line would rebuild an existing 21 kV distribution line with single circuit 115 kV and single circuit 21 kV west along the northern edge of the SR 237 right-of-way to the Nortech Substation site.

From Trimble Substation to SR 237, the Trimble – Nortech power line would be constructed of double-circuit self-supporting tubular steel poles. The double circuit, self supporting tubular steel poles would be a combination of dead-end, angle, or suspension conductor configuration, depending on whether they are located at a substation, where the power line route makes an angle, or where the power line route travels in a straight line. See Figure 5, Kifer-Nortech and Trimble-Nortech Power Line Poles. The height of the poles would range from 85 to 95 feet with spans ranging from 550 to 800 feet with no down guy wires. The base of each of these poles would be attached to concrete foundations with embedded anchor bolts.

Along this route several existing poles would be removed or replaced,

Along Zanker Road from Trimble to Highway 237 the double-circuit tubular steel poles would be on private easements with some of the conductors overhanging the Zanker Road right-of-way.

From Zanker Road and SR 237 to the proposed Nortech Substation, the power line would use approximately nine steel poles, ranging in size from 66 to 85 feet tall, to support a single-circuit 115 kV line with a 21 kV distribution line position.

PG&E anticipates that construction of the substation and associated power lines would begin in January 1999. The power lines would be constructed by two separate crews and would be completed within about five months. Substation construction, from site preparation and grading to energizing the electrical equipment, would take about five months. The installation of the required circuit breakers and taps at both the Trimble Substation and the Kifer Receiving Station would occur within the same five-month construction window.

During peak construction periods, approximately 70 workers would be on the workforce. Project workers would:

• survey power line routes and substation sites;
• construct the 115 kV power lines;
• construct a 115/21 kV substation; and
• provide engineering support, construction inspection, geotechnical testing, transportation of materials and liaison with private property owners.

PG&E construction crews would build all power lines, as well as install new breakers at both Kifer Receiving Station and Trimble Substation. PG&E expects that an outside contractor would construct the Nortech Substation.

Construction of the Nortech substation would begin with clearing the site of vegetation and conducting site surveys. Approximately 3,800 cubic yards of spoil would be excavated and removed to landfill or suitable site as identified in the pre-construction soil analysis. Approximately 20,000 cubic yards of fill (including side slopes) would be imported to the site from a local source. The site would be graded to ensure that appropriate soil compaction and surface drainage requirements are met. A seven-foot-high chain link fence with a one-foot barbed wire outrigger would be installed around the perimeter of the substation.

Reinforced concrete footings and slabs would be constructed to support substation structures and equipment. Electric control cables would be installed in buried conduits. After the trenches are dug, conduit would be placed on a bed of sand, and then soil would be backfilled to match the adjacent grade.

A grounding mat or grid would be installed approximately 18 inches below the finished grade to ground all equipment and structures constructed inside the substation fence. Copper conductors, installed in the trenches, would be used in grounding equipment and structures.

Gravel or crushed rock, placed to a depth of approximately four inches, is essential for providing electrical isolation for maintenance and operations personnel. The gravel or crushed rock would also allow all-season access for maintenance and operation vehicles, and would inhibit weed growth. The substation service road would be constructed with two inches of asphaltic concrete over four inches of rock base material.

PG&E would install, own, and operate fiber optic and microwave communications for the protection of the substation and power lines. Fiber optic cable and microwave communications would be installed from Nortech Substation to both Trimble Substation and Kifer Receiving Station for primary and secondary high-speed relaying protection. The 100-foot-tall microwave tower would be located adjacent to the substation switchgear building.

Substation structures would be erected to support switches, electrical conductors, instrument transformers, and other electrical equipment, as well as to terminate incoming power lines. The welded tubular steel structures would be grounded to the grounding grid. All electrical equipment would be bolted or welded securely to the slabs or footings to meet seismic requirements.

Lighting would be installed for nighttime security and personal safety. Lights would be angled toward the interior of the site. Proper placement of lights and adequate physical separation between the lights and the fence line would be intended to prevent glare and intrusion on the adjacent property.

Before power poles and conduits can be installed, the power line right-of-way would be cleared of trees and other vegetation that may interfere with the safe operation of the system. See Figure 6, Tree Trimming Clearances, Plan View and Elevation. Material from tree removal and trimming operations would be properly disposed of in a landfill.

In some areas along Zanker Road, existing utilities may be relocated to allow for placement of the steel pole foundations.

Laydown Areas

Two temporary laydown areas would be used for construction of the power lines. A four acre site on the north side of Kifer Receiving Station would be used for storage of conductor wheels and poles for the Kifer – Nortech power line. Part of the Nortech Substation site would be used as a laydown area for construction of the Trimble - Nortech power line.

Site Access

Construction and operation access for the power lines would be primarily along existing roads. In the urban areas, access for both the Kifer– and Trimble–Nortech power line routes would be along existing paved roads.

Along the Kifer – Nortech power line route, areas north of SR 237 are generally vacant. An existing 12-foot-wide dirt access road, which extends east from Gold Street to the West Bank of the Guadalupe River (approximately 0.3 miles) along the toe of the SR 237 embankment, would be used for construction access. Another existing 12-foot-wide dirt access road (approximately 0.4 miles) on the north side of SR 237 extending from the east bank of Guadalupe River to North First Street would be used during construction. Vacant areas west of Zanker, on the north side of SR 237, would be accessed by an existing 12-foot-wide dirt farm road.

Installation of Steel Poles

Placement of self-supporting steel poles would require a large auger to dig a foundation hole, approximately 5 feet in diameter by 16 feet deep. During construction, a small form would be made at the top of the hole to support the anchor bolts. A re-bar cage would be installed and concrete poured. In some locations adjacent to the Guadalupe River and in the vicinity of the Nortech Substation, poles would be set on concrete foundations. Foundation design would be done in accordance with criteria established by the CPUC’s General Order 95, "Rules for Overhead Electric Line Construction.". The tubular steel pole shafts would be delivered to each site in two sections, and assembled on the ground. The poles would then be erected using a crane and set on the anchor bolts in the concrete foundation.

Placement of light-duty steel poles also would require the use of a large auger to dig a hole, approximately 3 feet in diameter by 9–12 feet deep. The light-duty steel poles will also be delivered to the site in two sections, and assembled on the ground. The poles would be erected with a 10-ton crane, set in the hole, and backfilled. See Figure 7, Power Line Construction Procedures.

Installation of Conductors

To install the conductors, a steel wire would be fed through stringing sheaves at the end of each insulator on the standing poles. The steel wire then would be attached to the conductor, stripped off the wire reels through a tensioner, and pulled in at the other end with a puller. See again Figure 7, Power Line Construction Procedures.

Potential for Service Interruption

During construction of the Trimble-Nortech Power Line, the Montague-Trimble section of the Newark-Trimble 115 kV power line would be taken out of service while the line is rebuilt to a double circuit configuration. Power to the Trimble Substation would be temporarily fed from the Newark-San Jose "B" 115 kV power line.

During construction of the Kifer-Nortech Power Line, sections of the distribution circuits along this route would have service interruptions of a few hours while new poles are set and conductors transferred to the new poles. The following actions would be taken to minimize service interruptions:

The operation of the Trimble - Nortech 115 kV Power Line and operation of the Kifer - Nortech 115 kV Power Line would be controlled by the Metcalf Switching Center, which is located at the Metcalf Substation, south of San Jose. The Nortech Substation monitoring and control functions also would be connected to the Metcalf Switching Center computer system, by means of the telecommunications link.

Each year, two patrols, one by ground and one by air, would check each power line for integrity. All structures would be inspected from the ground annually for corrosion, misalignment and excavations. Ground inspection would occur on selected lines to check the condition of the hardware, insulator keys and conductors. That inspection would check conductors and fixtures for corrosion, breaks, broken insulators and bad splices. All power lines would be inspected for sag. In addition, annual ground inspections would be performed on poles, anchors and right-of-way condition. Trimming of trees located under the power lines would be conducted in accordance with CPUC General Order No. 95.

PG&E’s current plans include construction of a new 230 kV transmission line into the north San Jose area in the year 2000. This is the Northeast San Jose Transmission Reinforcement Project. The new 230 kV transmission line would feed a new 230 kV - 115 kV transmission substation to be located in the north San Jose area. The 115 kV power lines from that transmission substation will need to connect to the system to provide power to the Montegue and Trimble Substations, and the Kifer Receiving Station. . The infrastructure for that connection will be provided by the North San Jose Capacity Project.

As part of the North San Jose Capacity Project, PG&E has included a second circuit on the Zanker Road power to allow the system to connect with the 230 kV Northeast San Jose Transmission Reinforcement Project. Without the second circuit along Zanker Road, that project would have to construct a separate power line to connect it with the system, adding additional and unnecessary costs and impacts. However, the distribution capacity provided by the North San Jose Capacity Project, as proposed, is required exclusive of the Northeast San Jose Transmission Reinforcement Project.

The proposed Nortech Substation site is vacant land, adjacent to a parking lot used by the Jubilee Christian Center (church). The adjacent land to the south is the existing right of way for State Route 237. The site is bounded on the south by State Route 237, on the north by a parking lot, on the east by the North San Jose Technology Center, and on the west by vacant land.

Two power lines are proposed connecting the Nortech Substation to other substations in the area. The Trimble-Nortech power line is located in the City of San Jose passing through varied uses including light industrial/industrial park, public park/open space, quasi-public open space, private open space, commercial and very high density residential uses. The Kifer-Nortech power line is located in the City of Santa Clara and City of San Jose. It passes through uses designated as industrial uses, including light, heavy and industrial transition, residential uses, including moderate density, single family attached and single family detached residential, and public facilities land uses including institutional, open space, parks and recreation and urban reserve lands uses.

The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a "Potentially Significant Impact" as indicated by the checklist on the following pages. This impact assessment is based on the assumption that PG&E will fully implement all mitigation measures that it has identified as incorporated into its proposed project (see following section). The impact assessment is based on information provided in the Proponent’s Environmental Assessment attached to PG&E’s Application for a Permit to Construct the project, information provided in subsequent communications to the CPUC, site visits and other information sources as cited in this report.

The following is a summary of mitigation measures proposed by PG&E as a part of the proposed project, the North San Jose Capacity Project