4. Requested Relief in Petition for Modification of D.07-03-012
The Petition for Modification of D.07-03-012 (`012 Petition) sets forth two distinct requests for relief. First, the `012 Petition requests modification of a requirement that SCE use 20-foot taller structures between miles 20.3 and 25.6 of Segment 1 as low-cost Electromagnetic Field (EMF) mitigation.3 Second, the `012 Petition requests: (a) an adjustment to the Commission's determination of the maximum cost for Segment 1; and (b) a consolidated budget for the entire approved ATP.4 This second set of issues will be discussed in Section 6 below.
With regard to the EMF mitigation required by D.07-03-012, SCE contends that it has already provided adequate low-cost/no-cost EMF mitigation consistent with Commission policy as set forth in D.06-01-042 and D.93-11-013. SCE cites in support:
1. Use of double-circuit construction for the proposed Antelope-Pardee 500 kV transmission line and the existing Pardee-Vincent 500 kV transmission line between miles 20.3 and 25.6.
2. Optimal phasing of the proposed Antelope-Pardee 500 kV transmission line and the existing Pardee-Vincent 500 kV transmission line to reduce magnetic fields between miles 20.3 and 25.6.
3. Building the Antelope-Pardee 500 kV transmission line and the existing Pardee-Vincent 500 kV transmission line on double-circuit towers in the position that is currently occupied by the Pardee-Vincent 500 kV transmission line on the Pardee-Vincent 500 kV transmission line right-of-way between miles 20.3 and 25.6. This increases the distance of the new transmission line to the north edge of the right-of-way and increases conductor height compared with single-circuit construction.
4. Modification and phasing of the existing Orion 16 kV line for magnetic field reduction between miles 22.3 and 25.6.5
SCE states that these mitigation measures far exceed the Commission's guideline of a 15% reduction in EMF for low-cost mitigation.6 In addition, SCE contends that the use of 20-foot taller structures would be ineffective in reducing EMF given these other mitigation measures.
The ALJ and Commission staff (Staff) have reviewed SCE's contentions and have determined that they are supported by the record and the `012 Petition pleadings. Therefore, we find that the existing mitigation measures provide sufficient low-cost EMF mitigation, and modify D.07-03-012 to remove the requirement of the taller towers between miles 20.3 and 25.6.
3 `012 Petition at 2-8.
4 `012 Petition at 8-20.
5 `012 Petition at 3.
6 `012 Petition at 4-5.
