III. Preliminary Scoping Memo
In this Preliminary Scoping Memo, we describe the issues to be considered in this proceeding and the timetable for resolving the proceeding. Principally, this rulemaking is the forum for review of existing EMF policy and the adoption of new rules, as appropriate. Although EMF issues continue to be raised by parties in various individual transmission line proceedings, the Commission has yet to respond to the most recent DHS findings or the California Supreme Court decisions (13 Cal 4th 893, (1996); 27 Cal. 4th 256, (2002); 31 Cal. 4th 1132, (2003)) by clarifying the nature and limits of Commission activity in this area. In addition, the Commission has yet to examine the effects of the "no or low cost" mitigation policy that has now been in effect for more than a decade. We open this rulemaking to analyze these issues on a statewide basis.
The issues that we will explore in this rulemaking include the following:
1. Review and analyze the DHS research conclusions, developed in response to our ruling in D.93-11-013, as well as the findings of other relevant scientific studies that examine evidence, or the lack thereof, of EMF environmental effects that have adverse health effects on human beings.
2. Analyze the Commission's current "low and no cost" mitigation policy and the extent to which implementation of the current policy has reduced or not reduced EMF exposure.
3. Determine what changes, if any, to the Commission's current EMF policies are appropriate.
4. Determine whether to develop EMF standards or guidelines for use in transmission planning and siting and, if so, determine what those standards should be. In particular, examine whether CEQA standards should be adopted that consider EMF as an integral part of the CEQA analysis.
