Procedural Background

On September 4, 2001, SDG&E filed and served a petition to modify D.83-10-004. The petition was subsequently converted to this application. By its application, SDG&E sought to modify the terms of the certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) to construct the Imperial Valley-La Rosita transmission line approved by this Commission in Decision (D.) 83-10-004. On December 11, 2001, the Commission adopted D.01-12-016 which modified the terms of the CPCN as requested.

In addition, SDG&E seeks approval to move the location of six support structures along the Imperial Valley-La Rosita transmission line to accommodate two proposed merchant transmission line projects. SDG&E requested expedited review of its application. Included with its application was a copy of the draft environmental assessment performed by the United States Department of Energy (DOE), in cooperation with the United Stated Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).¹ DOE has since finalized its environmental assessment, and on December 10, 2001, SDG&E filed a copy of the final environmental assessment and appendices (DOE/EA-1391).

The assigned Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued a ruling on September 12, 2001, shortening the protest period for the application. No protests were filed, but two parties filed Responses to the Application, Save Southwest Riverside County (SSRC) and Coral Power, L.L.C. (Coral). SDG&E filed a reply to the responses. On December 17, 2001, InterGen Aztec Energy III, B.V. (InterGen) filed a response (InterGen Filing) to inquiries by the assigned ALJ. On December 18, 2001, Sempra Energy Resources (Resources) filed a response (Resources Filing) to inquiries by the assigned ALJ.