3. Public Interest

Pub. Util. Code § 851 requires that transactions involving public utilities shall not be adverse to the public interest. Copies of this application were served on the Shasta County Counsel, California Resources Agency, California Environmental Protection Agency, United States Environmental Protection Agency, United States Department of the Interior and the Commission's Office of Ratepayer Advocates, among others. No protests or comments opposing this application were received. Granting the easements will not interfere with the operation of PG&E facilities or with the level of service to its customers.

PG&E states that granting the easements will allow the properties to be developed for residential use and will not interfere with the operation of PG&E's facilities. The Commission recently approved a nearly identical application in which PG&E sought to grant water rights easements to seven private property owners for the installation of domestic water wells. (Decision (D.) 04-04-056.)