ALJ/VSK/tcg Date of Issuance 12/19/2008

Decision 08-12-031 December 18, 2008

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

In the Matter of the Application of SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY (U338E) for a Permit to Construct Electrical Facilities With Voltages Between 50 kV and 200 kV: El Casco System Project.

Application 07-02-022 (Filed February 16, 2007)

DECISION GRANTING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY
A PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT ELECTRICAL FACILITIES
FOR THE EL CASCO SYSTEM PROJECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

DECISION GRANTING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY
A PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT ELECTRICAL FACILITIES FOR THE
EL CASCO SYSTEM PROJECT 11

1. Summary 22

2. Background 33

3. The Proposed Project 33

4. Procedural Issues 44

5. Requirements for a PTC 55

6. Environmental Review and EMF Compliance 66

6.1. Proponent's Environmental Assessment 66

6.2. Notice of Preparation and Public Scoping Report 77

6.3. Draft Environmental Impact Report 88

6.3.1. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Project 1010

6.3.2. Environmental Impacts of the Northerly Alternative 1010

6.3.3. Environmental Impacts of the Partial Underground
Alternative 1111

6.3.4. Environmental Impacts of the No Project Alternative 1111

6.3.5. Environmentally Superior Alternative 1212

6.3.6. Mitigation, Monitoring, Reporting and Compliance Plan 1212

6.3.7. Electric and Magnetic Fields 1313

6.4. Public Notice and Review 1414

6.5. Comments on Draft EIR 1515

6.6. Final EIR 1616

6.7. Recirculated Draft EIR 1616

6.8. Comments on Recirculated Draft EIR 1717

6.9. Recirculated Final EIR 1818

6.9.1. Adoption of Recirculated Final EIR 1818

6.10. Need and Overriding Considerations 1919

6.10.1. SCE's Supplemental Testimony 1919

6.10.2. Citizens of Sun Lakes Country Club Community
Supplemental Testimony 2121

6.10.3. Statement of Overriding Considerations 2323

7. Conclusion 2424

8. Testimony and Exhibits 2424

9. Comments on Proposed Decision 2525

10. Categorization and Need for Hearing 2828

11. Assignment of Proceeding 2828

Findings of Fact 2828

Conclusions of Law 3030

ORDER 3232

ATTACHMENT A - CPUC CEQA Findings of Fact

DECISION GRANTING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY
A PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT ELECTRICAL FACILITIES
FOR THE EL CASCO SYSTEM PROJECT

1. Summary

This decision grants Southern California Edison Company (SCE) a Permit to Construct (PTC) the project known as the El Casco Systems Project (El Casco Project). The El Casco Project consists of: (1) construction of a 220/115/12 kilovolt (kV) substation (El Casco Substation), associated 220 kV and 115 kV interconnections, and new 12 kV line getaways on an approximately 28 acre site located within the Norton Younglove Reserve in Riverside County, California; (2) upgrade of a total of approximately 15.4 miles of 115 kV subtransmission lines and associated structures within existing SCE rights-of-way in the Cities of Banning and Beaumont and unincorporated Riverside County; (5) rebuilding of 115 kV switchracks within SCE's existing Zanja and Banning substations in the Cities of Yucaipa and Banning, respectively; and (6) installation of fiber optic cables within public streets and on or through existing overhead and underground structures and conduits within the Cities of Redlands and Banning, California. The El Casco Project would be entirely located within Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

SCE seeks Commission approval for a PTC for the El Casco Project pursuant to General Order 131-D. As the Lead Agency for environmental review, we find the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Recirculated Final EIR prepared for this project meets the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, and that there are overriding considerations in support of the El Casco Project. This proceeding is closed.