ALJ/SRT/hl2 Mailed 10/24/2006
Decision 06-10-047 October 19, 2006
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Application of PACIFICORP (U 901 E), an Oregon Company, for Permit to Construct the Line 75 115kV Conversion Project Pursuant to General Order 131-D. |
Application 05-12-011 |
INTERIM OPINION GRANTING APPLICATION IN PART
I. Summary
This decision approves, in part, the application of PacifiCorp for a permit to construct a 115 kilovolt (kV) electric transmission line and associated substation modifications between the cities of Yreka and Weed in Northern California. The decision also certifies the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration (FMND) prepared in connection with the project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
We are only approving a portion of the line and substation changes at this time. That portion runs from Yreka to a point north of where the proposed project ends, as described more fully below. The portion of the line we approve here is not controversial, is not currently in dispute among the parties, and presents no routing options or challenges. We are able to approve this portion (which we will call the "Northern Portion" of the line) without evidentiary hearings, as there are no material facts in dispute.
Ordinarily, we would approve a project of this size in a single decision. However, PacifiCorp has requested, and we hereby grant, permission to accelerate the decision on the Northern Portion so that it may commence construction there before the winter 2006-07 rains begin. The remaining portion of the proposed project (the "Southern Portion") was the subject of evidentiary hearings on October 5-6, 2006, and will require further, and more detailed, consideration. We will address that portion in a separate decision after the evidentiary hearings and briefing by the parties.
