2. Background

The Nevada Hydro Company (Nevada Hydro) previously filed Application (A.) 07-10-005 and A.09-02-012 seeking the same authorization. These applications were dismissed without prejudice by Decision (D.) 09-04-006. On July 6, 2010, the instant revised application was accepted for filing. On August 5, 2010, Commission staff determined that the Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA) was complete for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). At the request of Commission Staff, Nevada Hydro amended its PEA on February 25, 2011. The Notice of Preparation was filed on March 14, 2011 at the Governor's Office of Planning and Research. By this action, Commission staff has begun an independent evaluation of the proposed project, including public scoping meetings to develop alternatives to the proposed project, and the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project and alternatives, as required by CEQA.

Timely protests were filed by the Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA), Southern California Edison Company (SCE), San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E), John Pecora (Pecora), Forest Residents Opposing New Transmission Lines (FRONTLINES), Fresian Focus, LLC, Linda Lou and Martin Ridenour, the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), and jointly by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), Friends of the Forest (Trabuco District) and the Santa Rosa Plateau (FOF&P), and Santa Ana Mountains Task Force (SAMTF) of the Sierra Club. Nevada Hydro filed its reply on August 16, 2010.