2. Proposed Project

As proposed by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), the Atascadero-San Luis Obispo 70 kilovolt (kV) power line reconductoring project will replace the existing deteriorating conductor and associated supporting wood poles and steel towers along approximately 15.5 miles of 70 kV power line from Atascadero to San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo County, California. The heavier conductors will be better able to withstand the coastal climate and will provide enhanced voltage support. Most of the existing wood poles will be replaced with light-duty, direct-buried steel poles. Most of the existing direct-buried lattice steel towers will be replaced with new lattice steel towers with concrete or rock anchor foundations. In five residential locations near or within the City of San Luis Obispo, the existing direct-buried lattice steel towers will be replaced with smaller footprint, single-foundation tubular steel poles. All of the new or modified structures will support the new, heavier conductor to meet General Order 95 ground-to-wire safety standards.