HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3.03 PG&E TriVlyPowProj CITY CLERK
File # J-~l (~ II 1 -1-711
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE~.--Augusf3, 1999
SUBJECT: Oral Communications: Pacific Gas & Electric Tri-Valley
Power Project
(Report Prepared by: Carol R. Cirelli, Senior Planner) Ct~
ATTACItM~NTS: ................ 1'. Tri~Valle3; Po~er Pr°~e~t informati°n
2. Electrical Demand Map
FINANCIAL STA/TE1ViENT? ............ N6ii~'
DESCRIPTION: '
There has been a tremendous increase in electrical demand within the Tri-Valley region over the last 20
years. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has stated that currently, the Tri-Valley area's electrical system is
at 98.6% capacity and t~iig int6 considerafion~ i:esldential and Commercia1 development Which has
occurred over the last 10 years, along with development which has been approved, electrical demand will
exceed the system's capacity by mid-2002.
In order to meet existing demand while maintaining the highest level of system reliability, PG&E is in the
process of desig-ning a system up~ade for the Tri-Valley region. PG&E must increase the capacity of its
transmission lines which bring electrical power into the Tri-Valley region. Existing PG&E substations
and distribution lines will fi]so be up~aded'
businesses in the Th-Valley area. The project is slated for completion by mid-2002.
During the last two years, PG&E has 'been working with Planning Staff to obtain current and projected
development potential for Dublin. Planning and Public Works Staff has also been attending the various
~PG&E-sP0nsored W0rkih0ps h~id for governmental staff and 'propertY owners.
Project Process
PG&E will be submitting an upgrade proposal to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The
CPUC has jurisdictiOn over publicly regulated utilities, which includes PG&E.
Prior to submitting the application to the CPUC, PG&E will be asking each public agency its general
po s iti on on th ~' up g~/~d~-/)-i:~0~j'~i':-'PG ~E'~W'iii ~5'~~ p rep afiii~,~ ~i~P~/-~d~/Sh~ ~'"Eff~i~'e~fii~ ~ ~§'~iii ...........................
(PEA) incorporating public comment and relevant project data. The PEA is expected to be completed this
Fall. In December of 1999, PG&E will be'fiIing' a~PEA~Wi'th ~ih~ CPUC'i'6i? 'p~iiion to proceid with the
Th-Valley up~ade project.
COPD~S TO: In-House Distribution ----'
ITEM NO.- '
agendas/1999/8-3-99'¢~ ii:PgS~"fiiS~Ffi~i~
Once the application is filed, the CPUC will issue a "Project Notice;" act asthe lead agency under the
California Environmental Quality ACt (CEQA); and conduct the formal public review process ~oUnd Jtifi~
2000. This will be the time When the City can formallY c°mment on the details of the upgrad~ pr0j~r'and-
environmental documentation. The CEQA Process Will ir/~Ifid~ an'e'nVir6nm~htal a~esSm~'nt"$f'fl/~
preferred project and project alternatives. 'The CPUC Will then r~vie~'PG&E,'~u~'~'i~de p'i~Qadt hrid'~aith-~F
approve, deny or modify the project. The fin al' design and ~6~n'~fi:fi~i'6~n'6f-~h~'pi:$~j'~'~ill~iS~ifi'~ih~"fl~F~ll
of 2001.
Attachment I includes an overview of the project with project timeline informatiOn and answers to
commonly asked questions regarding the upgmd~ p~Oject.'
Affects on Dublin
PG&E is currently working on a preferred transmission line and substatiOn alignment for the'PEA. One
of the principle alignments being analyzed would be located Within and/Or adjacent to Dublin. This
alignment consists of a new 230 kV ( kilovolt, which is volume measurement of irans~/0r~ed electricity
line connecting into the eXisting Contra COsta/Newark line. 'This new Iifie W0uldbe lOCated
Contra Costa/Alameda County boundary. It would then connect to a new substati°n located'~iihin-th'e
vicinity of the northern end of FalI°n Road just north of the C0ntraC6~t'a]~l~ed~'~c0un~/~lSbrd~i-~
CONCLUSION:
At the August 3~a City Council meeting, PG&E will be making a presentation with additional maps and
graphics depicting the types' of electrical transmi'iSion facilities pi~6po~d2' ' si~f'r~eco~ends'tiiat th~city ......
Council hear Staff's and PG&E'S presentation and receive the rePort as an informational item.' ~"
Trl- Valley Upgrade ".'"- '':
Tri-Valley Upgrade- Overview
Over the past 20 years, the Tri-Valley region has experienced a significant increase in demand on the
area's electric power system. Currently, demand for electricity in the Tri-Valley region is at 98.6% of
the system's capacity.
Taking into consideration the Tri-Valley region's existing residents and businesses, along with the
development which has already been approved by the area's local governments, electrical demand will
exceed the system's capacity by mid-2002.
The Th-Valley up,adc is being desig-ned to ensure continued reliability of the region's electric power
system in order to avoid black-outs for the region's residents and businesses.
Upgrade Summary
To up~ade the system, PG&E must increase the capacity of its transmission lines which bring
electrical power into the Tri-Valley region. Additionally, PG&E substations and distribution lines wilt
be up~aded in order to bring more electricity from PG&E to homes and businesses in the area.
In an effort to balance environmental, engineering, and economic factors, PG&E has already begun
working with the community to develop plans for up~ading the system. Ultimately, PG&E will
develop and present an up,adc proposal to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which
acts as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act.
The CPUC has jurisdiction over publicly regulated utilities which includes PG&E. The Commission is
responsible for reviewing the proposal, and has the authority to approve, deny or modify PG&E's
up,adc proposal.
The State Approval Process
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has a thorough process for reviewing projects
such as the Tri-Valley up~ade. The CPUC process, which can take up to two years, begins when
PG&E files a Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA) with the Commission.
Once the PEA is filed, the CPUC publishes a notice to the public in order to initiate formal public
review of the proposed project. Pubic comment and input will be solicited by the CPUC at formal
public hearings held by the CPUC. The Commission will be providing the public with the specific
dates and locations of these meetings.
Attaa - I
Gas and EIcotric Company ~ l~urrietta Blvd. .Zivermore, £A 5¢$50 ~ ,6
In addition to input from the public, the CPUC will conduct its own environmental review of the
proposed project. The Commission will not only review the PEA, but will perform a comprehensive
study of the proposal's environmental impacts, the feasibility of the project, and the need for such a
re~onal upgrade.
For additional information about the CPUC and its formal processes, contact the Commission's web
site at cpuc.ca.gov on the world wide web.
Community Participation
PG&E and the CPUC will hold community meetings during various stages in the project review and
approval process. At these meetings, members of the public will be asked to comment on the proposed
ali~manents.
For more information about the Tri-Valley upgrade call PG&E's Tri-Valley up,adc phone line at
415/973-3080.
Upgrade Timeline
Although the formal timeline for public and regulatory review will be determined by the California_
Public Utilities Commission, below is a timeline with target dates for the project review and approval
process.
Currently
PG&E is examining various ways in which it can meet the anticipated electrical demand
and is seeking community input and consultation on the Th-Valley upgrade.
Summer/Fall 1999 -_
PG&E will review public comment and relevant data regarding the Th-Valley region's
electrical power system, and prepare a Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA)
for the Th-Valley up~ade.
December 1999
PG&E will file an application for permission to proceed with the Th-Valley upgradel
The PEA will be filed with the application. As soon as the application~is filed, the
CPUC will issue a "Project Notice" to the public.
Mid -2000
Cahfornia Public Utilities Commission will perform an Environmental Review and seek
public comment.
May 2001
California Public Utilities Commission will complete its formal review Process and
either approve, deny or modify the PG&E Tri-Valley upgrade plan.
Upon Project Approval
PG&E will begin the Tri-Va~ey up~ade upon project approval by the California Public
Utilities Commission. Depe~t. ing.upon the approval schedule, the Tri-Vallesr:u'p~ade
will be completed by mid-2002.
Tr -Valle?Upgrade
Questions & Answers
About the PG&E Tri-Valley Upgrade
What is the PG&E Tri-Valley Upgrade?
The upgrade will increase the power capacity in the Tri-Valley area in order to
meet the electrical demands of the area!s existing residents, businesses and
approved developments.
What is the timeline associated with PG&E's Tri-Valley Upgrade?
The upgrade must be completed by the summer of 2002. PG&E is currently
proceeding through a process established by the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The
process includes an environmental assessment of project alternatives; the selection
of a preferred project alternative; and a detailed review and approval by CPUC
staff and its Commissioners. Project engineering, design and construction will
take place between the fall of 2001 and the summer of 2002.
Why is the PG&E upgrade project necessarY?
Currently, the electrical demand in the Th-Valley region is using 98.6% of the
area's electrical system's capacity. Electrical demand is expected to exceed
capacity for the region's customers during peak hours by mid-2002. To keep the
electrical system at its traditionally high reliability level, and avoid black-outs at
peak times of use, PG&E must upgrade the Th-Valley system.
What happens if the electric power system is not upgraded?
Without this system upgrade, as residents and businesses draw additional _
electrical power in the region, and as demands on the system increase- often-
during the summer months when homes are using air conditioning systems - the
current system will not be capable of delivering enough electrlcity to the region.
To maintain the highest level of system reliability and avoid black-outs in the
region, PG&E is proposing this upgrade.
How can our region be at capacity?
· The population of the Tri-Valley region has grown significantly over the past 20
years. This increased population throughout the Th-Valley area has the biggest
impact on electrical usage. By law, PG&E is required to provide reliable service
to all residents within the region. The Tri-Valley upgrade will enable PG&E to
meet its customers' expectations, and its obligations to serve existing residents
and the homes and businesses alreadY approved by local governments in the area.
Gas and Eieotr~o £ompan? 998 l~iurr~etta ~ivd. · L~vermore, CA 94~0 ~ ~
What does the system upgrade involve?
To upgrade the system, PG&E must increase the capacity of its transmission lines
which bring electrical power to the Tri-Valley region. Additionally, PG&E
substations and distribution lines will be upgraded in order to bring more
electricity from PG&E to homes and businesses in the area.
Will my electrical rates increase due to the upgrade?
Costs for projects such as this are typically spread to ratepayers throughout the
PG&E service area. There would normally not be an increase on your electricity
bill directly attributable to this project. However, if unusual requirements, such as
substantial undergrounding of transmission lines are required, regulatory agencies
can authorize regional rate increases.
Will the work on the upgrade project adversely affect my residential or business
electrical service?
No. The upgrade of the Th-Valley electrical system and the increase in electrical
capacity will not adversely affect PG&E customers. In fact, the upgrade is being
done in order to meet the electrical demands ofpG&E's customers so that
customer satisfaction will be maintained at its highest levels.
Will this increase housing and commercial development itt the region?
Not at all. This up,adc is needed to meet the electrical demands of the region's
current residents, and for projects that have already been approved by local city
and county governments.
Does PG&E have to erect new towers to handle the larger electrical cable?
In some cases, PG&E will have to build new towers. However, the placement of
these towers (called alignment) has not yet been determined. It is also possible
that existing towers, if no longer needed by PG&E, will be removed.
How does t~G&E determine where it places new power lines?
For the most part, PG&E will place power lines along existing P~&E fight-of-
ways. Actual aligrmaent alternatives are based on a_balance of environmental,
engineering and economic factors, as well as community input.
Can the new power lines be placed uuderground?
In some locations PG&E may consider placing the new power lines underground.
. However, the difference in cost between above ground power lines and
underground power lines is substantial. Because the costs ofundergrounding
power lines is ultimately borne by the ratepayer, PG&E is making every effort to
work with local communities in developing ali=mu'nent plans both aesthetically
pleasing and cost effective.
ttow can I get more information about the Tri-Valley upgrade project?
There are two good sources for information abOut the Tri'Valley project. One is
directly from PG&E by calling 415/973-3080. After the upgrade project is flied at
the California Public Utilities Commission, you can contact the Commission at
415/703-2782.
How can I comment on PG&E's Tri-Valley upgrade project?
PG&E and the CPUC will hold community meetings during various stages in the
project review and approval process. At these meetings, members of the public
will be asked to comment on the proposed alignments. The public can also
provide PG&E with feedback through its special Tri-Valley upgrade phone line at
415/973-3080.
Tr - Valley Upgrade
Glossary of Commonly Used Terms
Load - The amount of power carried by a utility system, or the amount of power used by
an electric device. Load may also be referred to as demand.
Capacity - A measure of the amount of power which an electric system can carry.
Substation - The equipment that switches, changes, or regulates voltage in the electric
transmission and distribution system.
Electric Transmission - The transportation of large amounts of electric power by means
of transmission cables from generation sources to an electric distribution system such as a
substation.
Electric Distribution - The delivery of electric power to homes and businesses.
Typically from a utility substation.
Alignment - The path in which power and transmission cables travel from the electrical
source to the user.
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) - The state agency that regulates the
rates and services of natural gas, electric, water, steam, pipeline, sewer, telephone,
cellular and radio telephone, and telegraph utilities as well as trucking, railroad, airline,
moving and privately owned bus companies.
Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA) - A document that includes
information about the environmental impacts of a project. The PEA is filed with the
California Public Utilities Commission by a utility company seeking approval for a
project.
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) - A permit that PG&E must
apply for and obtain from the appropriate regx~latory bodies prior to constructing a major
utility plant, system addition, or gas pipeline.
Pacific Gas and Electric ~ompany 998 Murrietta Blvd. * Livermore, CA 94550