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PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

ENERGY DIVISION RESOLUTION E-3691

RESOLUTION

Resolution E-3691. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) requests a deviation from Public Utilities (PU) Code Section 320 to relocate one guy pole and anchor above ground. Approved.

By Letter dated June 26, 2000

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SUMMARY

This Resolution approves PG&E's request for a deviation to relocate one guy pole and anchor a distance about 30 feet south on the East Side of California State Highway 116 near the City of Sebastopol.

This relocation would create no additional scenic impact and cost substantially less than relocation underground.

BACKGROUND

O'Reilly Properties, L.L.C. (O'Reilly) requested that PG&E move one guy pole and anchor about 30 feet south along California State Highway 116 at Mill Station road in the City of Sebastopol. The proposed relocation would accommodate a new entrance into a property on the East Side of scenic Highway 116.

The guy pole and anchor support distribution pole line facilities that lie along the West Side of Highway 116, across from O'Reilly's proposed entrance.

The existing guy pole and anchor are within a portion of California State Route 116, a designated State Scenic Highway. Relocation of this pole would be subject to PU Code Sec. 320 requiring all future electric facilities, including the relocation of existing poles, within 1,000 feet of a scenic highway, to be relocated underground. Decision 80864, dated December 19, 1972 implemented PU Code Sec. 320.

PG&E opined that relocating the guy pole and anchor would not significantly impact the scenic corridor.1 Therefore, PG&E requests a deviation from PU Code 320 to allow the relocation.

The City of Sebastopol Engineering Department (City) stated in an internal memo that requirements for the City's undergrounding program allow relocation of the guy pole and anchor above ground.

City explained that any relocation underground would be across Highway 116 from O'Reilly's property. None of the power lines front the O'Reilly property.

City further explained that removal of the pole and undergrounding of the affected overhead facilities would also result in the installation of three guy wires and anchors and one new pole which do not currently exist. In the proposed alternative, relocation of the existing pole and its anchor could be accomplished without increasing the visual impact that now exists. Costs associated with removal, as opposed to relocation, are significantly greater.

City believes that the relocation of the guy pole will not cause degradation of the scenic corridor and that removal of the pole is not economically practical.

NOTICE

Notice of the letter dated June 26, 2000 was made by publication in the Commission's Daily Calendar. PG&E states that a copy of the letter was mailed and distributed in accordance with Section III-G of General Order 96-A.

PROTESTS

No protests were filed.

DISCUSSION

Relocating underground would require a new pole and three new guy wires at a different location and approving a deviation would result in the relocation of an existing pole; there appears to be no difference in visual impact.

Since relocating facilities underground is substantially more involved and more costly than moving a guy pole a distance of 30 feet above ground, it is reasonable to approve PG&E's request.

COMMENTS

This is an uncontested matter in which the Resolution grants the relief requested. Accordingly, pursuant to PU Code section 311(g)(2) this matter will be placed on the Commission's agenda directly for prompt action.

FINDINGS

1. PG&E requests a deviation from PU Code 320 to relocate one guy pole and anchor on scenic Highway 116 at Mill Station Road in Sebastapol.

2. The City of Sebastopol Engineering Department stated in a letter to O'Reilly that relocating underground would require a new pole and three new guy wires that would additionally create negative scenic impact at a different location.

3. Relocation of this guy pole is subject to PU Code 320, requiring that all future electric facilities within 1,000 feet of a scenic highway be relocated underground.

4. The proposed relocation would result in minimal visual impact.

5. Placing the subject power lines underground on scenic Highway 116 and Mill Station road would cost substantially more than relocating the guy pole and anchor 30 feet.

6. It is reasonable to approve PG&E's deviation from PU Code 320 for relocation of the guy pole and anchor on scenic Highway 116 at Mill station road in Sebastopol.

THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED THAT:

The request of PG&E for a deviation from PU Code 320 is approved.

This Resolution is effective today.

I certify that the foregoing resolution was duly introduced, passed and adopted at a conference of the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California held on September 7, 2000; the following Commissioners voting favorably thereon:

1 Resolution E-3560 granted PG&E a deviation from PU Code sec 320 for pole relocations in Caltrans' shoulder widening project, on Highway 116 between Mileposts 24.2 and 25.4, to be constructed in the future. That project will include a curb, gutter, and sidewalk along O'Reilly's frontage.

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