ALJ/HSY/avs Date of Issuance 8/6/2010

Decision 10-07-043 July 29, 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 Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the San Joaquin Cross Valley Loop Transmission Project.

Application 08-05-039
(filed May 30, 2008)

DECISION GRANTING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY
A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY

TO CONSTRUCT THE SAN JOAQUIN CROSS VALLEY LOOP TRANSMISSION PROJECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

DECISION GRANTING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY 2 2

TO CONSTRUCT THE SAN JOAQUIN CROSS VALLEY LOOP TRANSMISSION PROJECT 2 2

1. Summary 2 2

2. Procedural Background 2 2

2.1. Application and Protests 2 2

2.2. Public Participation 3 3

2.3. Environmental review 5 5

2.4. Evidentiary Hearings and Briefing 5 5

3. Scope of Issues 6 6

4. Public Convenience and Necessity 8 8

5. Description of Project Alternatives 9 9

6. Significant Environmental Impacts and Mitigation 11 11

6.1. Summary 11 11

6.2. Agricultural Resources 11 11

6.3. Cultural Resources 13 13

6.4. Biological Resources 14 14

6.5. Unique Adverse Impacts (Alternative 3A) 15 15

7. Environmental Superior Alternative 15 15

8. Certification of EIR 16 16

8.1. Evaluation of Alternative 3A 17 17

8.2. Analysis of Environmental Impacts 20 20

8.2.1. Paramount Citrus 20 20

8.2.2. Visalia 23 23

8.2.3. Farmersville 25 25

8.3. Sufficiency of Mitigation Measures 26 26

8.3.1. Paramount Citrus 26 26

8.3.2. Farm Bureau 26 26

8.3.3. Visalia 30 30

8.4. Identification of Environmentally Superior Alternative 31 31

9. Infeasibility of Environmentally Superior Alternative 32 32

9.1. Route Selection 32 32

9.1.1. SCE 32 32

9.1.2. Farm Bureau 35 35

Title Page

9.2. Additional Mitigation 36 36

10. Overriding Considerations 37 37

11. EMF 38 38

12. Project Cost 39 39

13. Comments on Proposed Decision 41 41

14. Assignment of Proceeding 42 42

ORDER 44 44

ATTACHMENT 1 - Mitigating Monitoring, Reporting and Compliance Program

ATTACHMENT 2 - SJXVL Mailing List

DECISION GRANTING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY

TO CONSTRUCT THE SAN JOAQUIN CROSS VALLEY LOOP TRANSMISSION PROJECT

1. Summary

This decision grants Southern California Edison Company a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct the San Joaquin Cross Valley Loop Transmission Project, using the environmentally superior project Alternative 2 identified in the Environmental Impact Report. As the lead agency for environmental review of the project, we find that the Environmental Impact Report prepared for this project meets the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, and that there are overriding considerations that merit construction of the project notwithstanding its significant and unavoidable environmental impacts. We adopt a maximum project cost of $122.182 million, excluding allowances for funds used during construction. This proceeding is closed.