2. Background
PG&E is a regulated public utility that provides retail natural gas and electric service to customers in Northern California. The Commission approved PG&E's power purchase agreement with Wind Farm Owners in Resolution E-4161. The Commission noted that renewable energy from the Wind Farm will "contribute towards the 20% renewables procurement goal required by California's RPS [Renewables Portfolio Standard] statute." (Resolution E-4161, mimeo., p. 6.) PG&E filed this application for authority to connect the Wind Farm to its electrical grid.1
1 Potential confusion arises regarding the term "project" in this proceeding, therefore we avoid its use in this decision. Documents in this proceeding use "project" to refer to the wind generation (Wind Farm) to be constructed by Wind Farm Owners, as well as (1) reconductoring, and (2) new transmission line related construction, both of which are to be performed by PG&E to connect and to receive power the additional wind-generated electricity. "Project" is also a generic term used in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines. As further explained in this decision, the Reconductoring and New Facilities certificated in today's decision are not a "project" for purposes of CEQA.
