3. The Proposed Project
The existing line is a 115 kV, single-circuit, 14.6-mile-long power line. The proposed reconductoring on approximately 14.1 miles of this line will not change the capacity or the length of the line.
The existing wood poles with 4/0 AAC conductor will be replaced one-for-one with light-duty steel poles. Other lines, equipment, and utilities such as communications lines that are collocated on the existing poles will be transferred to the new poles.
New poles typically will be located within the existing alignment approximately within five feet from the current location. Pole 70 will be moved approximately 35 feet to remove the pole from the wetland and the known breeding ground of the California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) while maintaining satisfactory span length, proper ground clearance, and allowing better year-round access to the pole for operations and maintenance activities.
The existing poles are made of wood. Each new pole installed will be a light-duty steel pole, and will not require foundations. The light-duty steel poles have a surface treatment designed to render the appearance of natural weathering. Tangent poles will be used when the run of poles continues in a straight line. Dead-end poles, which are stronger, will be used at the end of each reel of conductor.
PG&E will use existing standard raptor-safe design for its poles, providing 8.5 feet distance between conductors with an occasional 12 kV underbuild. In areas of underbuild, triangular raptor perch deterrents will be installed.
The new pole heights meet the requirements to accommodate the new conductor sway and suspension style. The light-duty steel poles consist of two sections. The bottom section is approximately 20 feet in total height. The existing poles are 60 to 75 feet in height and are buried approximately 7 to 10 feet into the ground, with a typical height of 50 to 65 feet above ground. The new light-duty steel poles will be buried approximately 11 to 13.5 feet in the ground and will be approximately 49 to 64 feet above ground.
The power line segment being reconductored is 115 kV single-circuit line with some existing underbuild 12 kV distribution; the replacement line will include the underbuild transferred to the new poles.
The existing bare aluminum conductor (three conductors at 4/0 AAC, seven-strand; 0.52-inch-diameter) will be replaced with three new 715 aluminum non-specular type conductor (715 MCM AAC, 0.97-inch-diameter) to address coastal climate deterioration issues and to provide enhanced voltage support.
To optimize operations and maintenance activities, insulators along the entire 14.6-mile line between Cabrillo Substation and Santa Ynez Switching Station will be replaced during construction, thereby creating a consistent age. Workers will climb the poles and replace the insulators or access the insulators from a line truck bucket.
The approximate distance from the ground to the lowest conductor will follow the GO 95 requirements: thoroughfares traversed by vehicles, 30 feet minimum; water crossing less than 20 acres, 27 feet minimum; and highway crossings, 30 feet minimum. As state above, there will be 8.5 feet distance between conductors. Distances between poles (spans) are anticipated to vary between 350 and 780 feet.
No work will be performed on Cabrillo Substation or Santa Ynez Switching Station as part of this Project. A portion of the Cabrillo Substation yard will be used as temporary work area.
