FINAL EIR RELEASED
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announces the
release of the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Lodi
Gas Storage Project. Lodi Gas Storage, LLC, applied to the CPUC to
develop a natural gas storage facility and construct a 33-mile pipeline
in Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties. Under the guidelines of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the CPUC prepared a Draft
EIR that identified environmental impacts and appropriate mitigation
and was circulated to agencies and the public during the public comment
period. The Final EIR incorporates the Draft EIR and responds to all
comments received on the Draft. The Final EIR also summarizes the
major public involvement activities and describes the next steps in
the Commission's decision process.
The Final EIR can be viewed at the Sacramento, Lodi, Isleton, Walnut
Grove, and Stockton libraries or on the web. For questions about the
project or to receive a copy of the Final EIR, contact the CPUC information
line at 415/989-1446, extension 85.
SUMMARY OF PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES
The CPUC held two public meetings in Lodi on October 13, 1999, and
in Isleton, October 14, 1999. The meetings provided an opportunity
to review the Draft EIR, ask questions about the project, and submit
comments on the Draft EIR. The CPUC assigned Commissioner, President
Richard Bilas, and Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Janet Econome held
a public participation hearing, October 19, 1999, to receive testimony
from the public on the project. Agencies and the public submitted
comments of the Draft EIR during the public comment period, which
ended November 10, 1999.
NEXT STEPS
ALJ Econome will prepare a proposed decision setting forth the recommendations,
findings, and conclusions on applicant's request. The proposed decision
will be filed with the Commission and served on all parties to the
proceeding, who then will have 20 days to comment on the proposed
decision. The five Commissioners will consider the proposed decision
at a meeting to be held no earlier than 30 days after the proposed
decision mails, and they will make the final decision on the application.
The Commission can either accept, reject, or modify the proposed decision.
Project
Update - October 1999
