2. Procedural History
In 1986, PG&E filed Application (A.) 86-10-006 for authority to construct a 230kV transmission line between the Tesla-Newark 280kV transmission corridor and construct its Vineyard Substation located in Pleasanton, California. In Decision (D.) 88-01-062, the Commission approved a CPCN, for an all underground alternative from Tesla-Newark to Vineyard, subject to completion of a supplemental EIR for this alternative. PG&E filed a petition to modify D.88-01-062 to extend the two year expiration date of the CPCN. PG&E subsequently withdrew its petition to modify. PG&E's cost estimate in 1987 for the all underground alternative was $31 million.
PG&E then filed the present application seeking approval of its proposed project depicted in Appendix B to this decision. PG&E also filed a Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA) to support its proposed project. PG&E continued to support its proposed route through the proceeding but has identified two other options it finds acceptable for the Pleasanton area of the project if the Commission does not select its proposed project. All of the routes and substation locations studied in the FEIR are depicted on the map attached as Appendix A.
Several parties intervened and participated actively during the evidentiary hearings and subsequent briefing. These parties are: the Commission's Office of Ratepayer Advocates (ORA), the California Independent System Operator (ISO or CA ISO), the City of Pleasanton and Kottinger Ranch Homeowners Association (jointly, the Pleasanton Parties), Catherine Foley, Coleman Foley, Inc., Foley Ranches, and Coleman Foley Testamentary Trust (jointly, Foley Intervenors), the Lin Family, Centex Homes (Centex), and Livermore Area Recreation and Park District (LARPD).2 The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) petitioned to intervene after opening briefs had already been submitted. EBRPD's was granted party status in D.01-05-077. Other groups and individuals without party status submitted comments on the Draft EIR (DEIR), as described fully in the FEIR.
Public participation hearings were held on February 8, 13, and 15, 2001 in Livermore, Pleasanton, and Dublin, respectively. Evidentiary hearings took place on February 20-23, 26-28 and March 5-8, 2001. The parties filed post-hearing opening and reply briefs. Closing argument before the assigned Commissioner and Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) was held on May 1, 2001.
D.01-05-077 describes the public process utilized to prepare the DEIR and FEIR. D.01-05-077 certified that the FEIR meets the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) regarding adequacy and independent judgement. In considering whether to grant a CPCN for the Tri Valley project, we rely on the comprehensive environmental information compiled in the FEIR. The environmental documents for this proceeding consists of Exhibits 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1003-A, and 1004.
