Greater Bay Area

Recent studies indicate that transmission upgrades to address reliability problems in the Greater Bay Area will not be needed until 2010 due to lower than projected load growth. However, PG&E and stakeholders are undertaking additional studies to assess whether the project could be needed based on economic benefits. PG&E estimates that the economic analysis will be done during the first half of 2002. In any event, the project is not ripe for evidentiary hearings this February. When completed, PG&E should file the economic analysis in this proceeding, with a notice of its availability served on the service list.