Environmental Review and Project Information
Application and Proponent's Environmental Assessment
On
December 3, 2015, PG&E filed an application (A.15-12-005) for a
PTC,
which included a Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA). The PEA is
a starting point for the independent environmental review process
conducted by the CPUC.
The CPUC submitted Deficiency Reports to
PG&E requesting specific information that was not included with the
Application or PEA. PG&E addressed the CPUC's comments and provided
material identified in the Deficiency Reports. The CPUC deemed the
Application complete on April 29, 2016. The Application and PEA can be
viewed
here. Deficiency Reports
for the application and PG&E's responses are available
here.
The
CPUC submitted Data Needs requests to PG&E during the environmental
review process to support the preparation of the IS/MND. Data Needs for
the project and PG&E's responses are available
here.
Proposed Project Overview
PG&E
proposes to reinforce the electric transmission system in central
Sonoma County by replacing the conductor on a 9.9-mile-long section of
the Fulton-Hopland 60-kV Power Line (Fulton-Hopland line) between
Fulton Substation and Fitch Mountain Substation. The project includes
replacing poles and conductor along the Fulton-Hopland line and making
modifications to Fitch Mountain Substation. The project alignment is
comprised of the Southern Segment, Northern Segment, and Fitch Mountain
Substation. The proposed project includes the following actions:
- Southern Segment.
Replace 1.8 miles of 60-kV conductor and 1.4 miles of 230-kV conductor
co-located on existing tubular steel poles (TSPs). Insulators on the
TSPs would be replaced, but the poles would remain in place.
- Northern Segment.
Replace 8.1 miles of 60-kV conductor located on primarily wood poles.
Approximately 70 existing poles would be replaced at a roughly 1-to-1
ratio with approximately 59 light duty steel poles (LDSPs) and 7 TSPs.
New poles would be between 3 to 30 feet taller than existing poles,
depending on the pole location.
- Fitch Mountain Substation.
Modify the existing substation by replacing motor switches, control
building, conductor, and conductor support structures to accommodate
the higher rated conductor that would be installed for the
Fulton-Hopland line. The gravel surface of the substation would also be
paved.
Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
Informational Meeting
After
deeming the application complete, the CPUC held an informational
meeting for the public on August 24, 2016 to describe PG&E's
proposed project and the CEQA process. The presentation slides from the
meeting are available
here.
Draft IS/MND
On July 21, 2017, the CPUC released a Notice of Intent (NOI) to adopt a
Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) (available
here)
for the proposed project based on the findings of an Initial Study (IS)
that was prepared pursuant to California Public Resources Code ' 21000
et seq. The Draft IS/MND showed that all project-related environmental
impacts would be reduced to less-than-significant levels with the
incorporation of minor revisions to the proposed project and feasible
mitigation measures. A Draft IS/MND was circulated for a 30-day public
review period. The comment period closed on August 21, 2017. The Draft
IS/MND is available
here.
Final IS/MND
The
CPUC responded to comments on the Draft IS/MND and prepared a Final
IS/MND. The Final IS/MND was published on October 11, 2017 and is
available
here. The CPUC's
responses to comments are presented in Chapter 5 of the Final IS/MND.
The conclusions of the Draft IS/MND remain unchanged in the Final
IS/MND; the proposed project would not have a significant effect on the
environment.
On December 14, 2017, the CPUC issued its Decision
(D.17-12-012) to approve the project and grant PG&E a PTC. The
CPUC's decision is available
here.
Petitions for Modification
Petition for Modification 1
On
June 29, 2018, PG&E submitted a Petition for Modification (PFM) to
the CPUC requesting changes to the approved project, including
replacing 21 existing TSPs in the Southern Segment between Fulton
Substation and Shiloh Ranch Regional Park. The approved project
included replacing conductor but did not include replacing the TSPs.
PG&E's PFM 1 request is available
here. Data Needs requests for PFM
1 and PG&E's responses are available
here.
On June 7, 2019, the CPUC issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to Adopt a
Supplemental Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND)
(available
here)
to address PG&E's proposed modifications to the Southern Segment of
the approved project. The Draft Supplemental IS/MND is available
here.
The CPUC held a public meeting on June 18, 2019, to help interest
parties understand PG&E's proposed modifications, the findings
presented in the Draft Supplemental IS/MND, and how to participate in
the CPUC's decision-making process. The presentation slides from the
meeting are available
here.
The Draft Supplemental IS/MND was circulated for a 30-day public review
and comment period from June 15 through July 15, 2019. Comment letters
were recieved from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and
the California Department of Transportation; the comment letters are
available
here.
The Final Supplemental IS/MND was issued on August 13, 2019 and is
available
here.
The Final Supplemental IS/MND includes a response to comments received
on the Draft IS/MND. On September 12, 2019, the CPUC issued its
Decision (A. 15-12-005) to adopt the Final Supplemental IS/MND and
grant PG&E's Petition for Modification.
Petition for Modification 2
On
October 31, 2018, PG&E submitted a PFM to the CPUC requesting
changes to the approved project to use an alternate access road to a
construction staging area near the intersection of Faught Road and
Shiloh Road in the Northern Segment of the approved project. PG&E's
PFM 2 request is available
here.
The CPUC prepared an Addendum
to the Final IS/MND to evaluate the potential environmental impacts
associated with PG&E's PFM that were not addressed in the 2017
Final IS/MND. The CPUC issued its Decision (D.19-02-015) to approve PFM
2 on February 21, 2019. The Addendum to the Final IS/MND for PFM 2 is
available
here.
The CPUC's decision is available
here.
Mitigation Monitoring
Mitigation Monitoring,
Compliance, and Reporting Plan
A
Mitigation Monitoring, Compliance, and Reporting Plan (MMCRP) was
prepared by the CPUC to ensure compliance with applicant proposed
measures and mitigation measures approved in the Final Initial
Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). The MMCRP provides
guidelines and procedures for environmental compliance
during project implementation. The MMCRP is available
here.
Mitigation Plans
Mitigation plans for the project are available
here.
Notices to Proceed
PG&E
must obtain a Notice to Proceed (NTP) from the CPUC prior to initiating
construction activities in accordance with the procedures outlined in
the MMCRP. NTP requests and approvals are provided in the table below:
NTP # |
Description |
Date Submitted |
Date Approved |
NTP
1 |
Initiation
of limited site development and staging activities at two locations.
Includes a request for Minor Project Refinement #1. |
05/14/18; 05/31/18 (revised) |
06/18/18 |
NTP 2 |
Initiation
of all project activities associated with Fitch Mountain Substation,
TAP Staging Area (Staging Area [SA] 5), Helicopter
landing zone (LZ)-6, Pull sites (PS)-10 and 12, Poles 62-109, and
associated
access roads. Includes a request for Minor Project Refinement #3. |
07/03/18 |
07/20/18 |
NTP 3 |
Initiation of all project
activities associated with PS-6, 7, and 9, LZ-4, Poles 23-61, and
associated access roads. |
08/13/18 |
08/22/18 |
NTP
4
|
Initiation of all
remaining project activities, including activities associated with
Fulton Substation,
PS-1, 2, 3, 5, LZ-1, LZ-2, SA-1, SA-2, Poles 1-22, and associated
access roads.
|
09/12/19
|
09/16/19
|
Minor Project Refinements
The CPUC
reviews
PG&E's requests for Minor Project Refinements (MPRs) in accordance
with the procedures
outlined in the MMCRP. MPR requests and approvals
are summarized below:
MPR # |
Description |
Date Submitted |
Date Approved |
MPR
1 |
Add a new approximately 4.15-acre
staging area between Poles 72 and 73. |
04/23/18 |
06/18/18 |
MPR 2 |
Use an alternate existing access
road from Faught Road to Staging Area LZ-3. |
05/24/18 |
Denied |
MPR 3 |
Relocate TAP Staging Area (SA-5)
approximately 360 feet northwest of its original location. |
07/03/18 |
07/20/18 |
MPR 4 |
Use an alternate access route to
Pole Locations 27 and 28. |
08/03/18 |
Withdrawn |
MPR 5 |
Use an alternate access route to
Pole Location 68. |
08/03/18 |
Denied |
MPR 6 |
Create a truck pull-out area on
the access road to LZ-6. |
08/03/18 |
08/08/18 |
MPR 7 |
Create a truck pull-out area on the access road to Pull
Site 10. |
08/22/18 |
08/27/18 |
MPR 8 |
Use an alternate access route to Pole 74. |
09/06/18 |
09/12/18 |
MPR 9 |
Use an alternate access route from Pole 53 to Pole 54. |
09/11/18 |
09/13/18 |
MPR 10 |
Leave geotextile fabric and gravel at LZ-6 and PS-12
for landowner use. |
01/07/19 |
01/11/19 |
MPR 11 |
Underground an approximately
100-foot-long distribution feeder line. |
01/08/19 |
Withdrawn |
MPR 12 |
Use a new helicopter landing zone north of LZ-3. |
01/17/19 |
01/23/19 |
MPR 13
|
Use a new access route to
Pole 21 off of Faught Road, just east of PS-5, including travel over a
culverted crossing.
|
06/07/19
|
Withdrawn
|
MPR 14
|
Use a new staging area and
access route to PS-2 and Poles 5, 6, 7a, and 7b from Fulton Substation,
as well as utilize additional staging areas adjacent to the access route
|
9/17/19
|
Withdrawn
|
MPR 15
|
Remove vegetation between
Poles 23 and 25.
|
10/25/19
|
02/06/20
|
MPR 16
|
Install grounding lines
and replace insulators at Geyser #17-Fulton 230-kV Tower 100 located
east of Pole 23.
|
11/15/19
|
11/25/19
|
MPR 17
|
Install an anchor and guy
wire at a distribution pole located between Poles 20 and 21.
|
11/22/19
|
12/10/19
|
MPR 18
|
Leave 0.27 acre of
geotextile fabric and gravel at LZ-2 and transfer the remaining gravel
to a neighboring landowner.
|
03/24/20
|
04/01/20
|
MPR 19
|
Install three new cathodic
protection ground wells at Fitch Mountain Substation.
|
05/20
|
06/17/20
|
For Additional Information
All
documents related to the environmental review and construction
monitoring processes are posted on this site as they become publicly
available.
To
request additional information,
ask a question, or be added to the project mailing list, please contact:
Email
|
fulton2fitch@panoramaenv.com
|
Fax
|
(650)
373 - 1211
|
CPUC
Project Manager
Mailing Address
|
Lisa
Orsaba
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave, 4th Floor
San Francisco CA, 94102
|
Formal
Comment
Mailing Address
|
California
Public Utilities Commission
Attn:
Fulton-Fitch Mountain
c/o Panorama
Environmental, Inc.
717 Market Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA, 94103
|