ALJ/RMD/avs Date of Issuance 6/4/2010

Decision 10-06-014 June 3, 2010

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

In the Matter of the Application of SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY (U 338-E) for a Permit to Construct Electrical Facilities With Voltages Between 50kV and 200kV: Devers-Mirage 115 Kilovolt Subtransmission System Split Project.

Application 08-01-029
(Filed January 31, 2008)

DECISION GRANTING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY
A PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT DEVERS-MIRAGE 115 KILOVOLT

SUBTRANSMISSION SYSTEM SPLIT PROJECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

DECISION GRANTING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY A PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT DEVERS-MIRAGE 115 KILOVOLT SUBTRANSMISSION SYSTEM SPLIT PROJECT 2 2

1. Summary 2 2

2. Background - Application, Protests and Public Participation 3 3

3. Standard of Review and Governing Law 4 4

3.1. Burden of Proof 4 4

3.2. California Environmental Quality Act 5 5

3.3. Permit to Construct 5 5

4. Environmental Review of the Proposed Project 6 6

4.1. Proponent's Environmental Assessment 6 6

4.2. Significant Impacts 7 7

4.3. Applicant's Proposed Measures 7 7

4.4. Draft Initial Study 7 7

4.5. Preparation and Issuance of Environmental Impact Report 8 8

5. Notice and Procedural Issues Related to Environmental Review 8 8

5.1. Public Scoping Meeting and Comments 8 8

6. Commission's Scoping Memo and Application 9 9

7. The Proposed Project and Alternatives 10 10

7.1. Description of Proposed Project and Alternatives 10 10

8. Findings of the Environmental Review Process 14 14

8.1. The Environmentally Superior Alternative 14 14

8.2. Significant Environmental Impacts Not Mitigated 15 15

8.3. Certification of Final EIR 15 15

9. Conclusions 15 15

9.1. CEQA Findings of Facts 15 15

9.2. Authorization of the Environmentally Superior Alternative 16 16

9.3. Statement of Overriding Considerations 16 16

9.4. Mitigation Monitoring 17 17

10. Significant Environmental Impacts and Mitigation 17 17

11. Certification of EIR 18 18

12. Electric and Magnetic Fields 18 18

13. Waiver of Comment Period 20 20

14. Assignment of Proceeding 21 21

Findings of Fact 21 21

Conclusions of Law 22 22

ORDER 23 23

DECISION GRANTING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY
A PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT DEVERS-MIRAGE 115 KILOVOLT
SUBTRANSMISSION SYSTEM SPLIT PROJECT

1. Summary

This decision grants Southern California Edison Company a permit to construct the Devers-Mirage 115 Kilovolt Subtransmission System Split Project using the Proposed Project, as identified in the Environmental Impact Report.

As the Lead Agency for environmental review of the Proposed Project, we find that the Environmental Impact Report prepared for this project meets the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., and that there are overriding considerations that merit construction of the Proposed Project notwithstanding its significant and unavoidable environmental impacts on air quality.

The primary components of the Proposed Project include rearrangements and modifications of subtransmission line connections, construction of substation modifications in the Cities of Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, and unincorporated areas of Riverside County, including the Thousand Palms community, and minor modifications to existing telecommunications equipment at the Edom Hill Communications site and the Palm Springs Service Center. The Proposed Project includes two new 115 kilovolt (kV) subtransmission lines, seven 115 kV subtransmission/line reconfigurations, a 220 kV transmission line loop-in, substation modifications, and upgrades to telecommunications infrastructure. Implementation of the Proposed Project will split the existing Devers 115 Kilovolt Subtransmission System into two systems, the Devers 115 kV System and the Mirage 115 Kilovolt System.

This proceeding is closed.