2. Background

In this application, SoCalGas seeks authorization pursuant to Section 851 to grant SCE an overhead utility easement over a vacant parcel of land located in Santa Clarita, County of Los Angeles, California. The property that would be encumbered by the easement is part of a larger parcel at which SoCalGas' Honor Rancho underground gas storage field is located. The size of the proposed easement is approximately 100 feet by 500 feet.

SCE has held three exclusive easements over part of this property since l969 and l972. SCE currently operates a 220 kilovolt transmission line, the "Pardee-Vincent" line, over a portion of these easements. SCE originally acquired the easements for use as a corridor if, in the future, SCE determines that a second transmission line is needed.

W9/Rye South Realty, L.L.C. (Rye) is currently developing several projects in the City of Santa Clarita. The City of Santa Clarita is requiring Rye to construct and dedicate several new public streets as a condition of approval for one of these projects. One of these new streets, Aurora Drive, partially encroaches on SCE's existing easements.

SoCalGas wishes to grant SCE another easement on the property so that Rye may continue the development and dedicate Aurora Drive and SCE will retain its right to a corridor easement in the area. This new easement will be functionally equivalent to SCE's original easements, except it will occur on the opposite side of the Pardee-Vincent Transmission line which will ensure that SCE will be able to expand its transmission services at some future date, if necessary. The replacement of the existing easements with a new easement is required to accommodate proposed development of adjacent to the SoCalGas Honor Rancho property.