ALJ/HSY/avs Date of Issuance 6/27/2012

Decision 12-06-039 June 21, 2012

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

In the Matter of the Application of SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY (U902E) for a Permit to Construct Electrical Facilities With Voltages Between 50 kV and 200 kV and New Substations With High Side Voltages Exceeding 50 kV: The East County Substation Project.

Application 09-08-003
(Filed August 10, 2009)

Allen K. Trial, for San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Applicant.

Jeanne B. Armstrong, for San Diego Rural Fire District.

Stephen C. Volker, for Backcountry Against Dumps.

DECISION GRANTING SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY
A PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT THE
EAST COUNTY SUBSTATION PROJECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

DECISION GRANTING SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY A PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT THE EAST COUNTY SUBSTATION PROJECT 2 2

1. Summary 2 2

2. Procedural Background 2 2

3. Summary of Environmental Findings in D.12-04-022 5 5

3.1. Unmitigable Adverse Impacts 5 5

3.2. Unmitigable Adverse Impacts 6 6

3.2.1. Biological Resources 6 6

3.2.2. Visual Resources 7 7

3.2.3. Cultural and Paleontological Resources 8 8

3.2.4. Noise 8 8

3.2.5. Air Quality 9 9

3.2.6. Fire and Fuels Management 9 9

4. Feasibility of Environmentally Superior Alternative 10 10

5. Overriding Considerations 11 11

5.1. San Diego Rural Fire Protection District 13 13

5.2. Public Comment 13 13

6. EMF 14 14

7. Comments on Proposed Decision 16 16

8. Assignment of Proceeding 19 19

Findings of Fact 19 19

Conclusions of Law 20 20

ORDER 21 21

ATTACHMENT - East County Substation Project Mitigation Monitoring, Compliance, and Reporting Plan

DECISION GRANTING SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY
A PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT THE
EAST COUNTY SUBSTATION PROJECT

1. Summary

This decision grants San Diego Gas & Electric Company a permit to construct the East County Substation Project, configured to include the ECO Substation Alternative Site combined with the ECO Partial Underground 138 kilovolt Transmission Route Alternative, with mitigation identified in the Mitigation Monitoring, Compliance, and Reporting Program attached to this order. This proceeding is closed.