5. Request
By this application, SDG&E seeks a CPCN to construct additional transmission capacity to provide an interconnection between SDG&E's existing 230 kV transmission system and SCE's existing 500 kV transmission system. In this phase of the proceeding, SDG&E seeks a finding that the Valley-Rainbow Project, or an alternative project that provides the same amount of new transmission capacity, is needed by 2005 to allow SDG&E to meet reliability criteria established by the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC)2 and the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC). In the alternative, SDG&E seeks a finding that the Valley-Rainbow Project, or a similar project, should be authorized because of the economic benefits provided to California ratepayers.
2 WECC was previously called the Western Systems Coordinating Council (WSCC) and therefore may be referred to by the parties in testimony or briefs as WSCC.
