5. Notice and Procedural Issues
Related to Environmental Review

Due process requires that affected parties be provided adequate notice and opportunity to be heard, such that they can timely protest and participate in the Commission's environmental review and analysis of the Proposed Project. For PTCs, the utility must comply with notice requirements described in GO 131-D, Sec. XI.A. SCE represented that it has complied with all applicable notice requirements on February 5, 2008.

5.1. Public Scoping Meeting
and Comments

In preparation for Draft EIR, the Commission conducted a public meeting on April 29, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the California State University San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus at Palm Desert, California. A presentation was prepared that included an overview of the environmental review process, the regional context, project background, project objections, project description, project alternatives and the role of public comments. At the April 29, 2008 public scoping meeting, Energy Division received oral and written comments. Two members of the public attended the public scoping meeting held on the Draft EIR.

In addition, the following parties submitted letters, including electronic mails, during the 30-day comment period: Native American Heritage Commission, SQAQMD, California Department of Transportation and Aeronautics, US Army Corps of Engineers, Coachella Valley Water District, Riverside County Transportation Department, and Thomas C. MacMaster. The overarching themes in the written and verbal comments received included (1) placement of the lines underground (2) air quality emissions (3) impacts to cultural and archeological resources (4) compliance with appropriate County ordinances to avoid impacts to hydrology and water quality (5) consistency between the Proposed Project and the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (6) impacts to the Palm Springs Airport and (7) tariff impacts.