STATE OF CALIFORNIA
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Southern California Edison's
Antelope-Pardee Transmission Line Project

(Application A.04-12-007)


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Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the permitting and construction of the Southern California Edison (SCE) Antelope-Pardee 500 kV Transmission Line Project. This project included a 25.6-mile 500-kV single-circuit transmission line which replaced an existing 66-kV line between the Antelope Substation in Lancaster and the Pardee Substation in Santa Clarita, in northern Los Angeles County, including approximately 13 miles within the Angeles National Forest (ANF). The project also included electrical interconnections at the existing Antelope and Pardee Substations, as well as an expansion of the Antelope Substation and relocation of several existing 66-kV subtransmission lines in the vicinity of the Antelope Substation. SCE submitted an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for this project to the CPUC on December 9, 2004. SCE also submitted an application for a Special Use Easement to the USDA Forest Service. The Project was reviewed under both the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

This site provides access to public documents and information relevant to the permitting, CEQA and NEPA review processes, and construction of the Project.

The Antelope-Pardee Transmission Line Project was permitted and constructed in conjunction with the Antelope Transmission Line Project (Segment 1) and the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (Segments 4-11). Information regarding these projects is available at the following links:

PROJECT STATUS

The Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIR/EIS) was certified and a Certification of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) was granted by CPUC (Docket #A.04-12-007, SCH #2005061161) on March 1, 2007. The USDA Forest Service issued a Record of Decision (ROD) on August 23, 2007. Project construction occurred between March 2008 and September 2009.

Pre-Construction Compliance

Notices to Proceed (NTPs) were issued by CPUC by subsection of the project as requested by SCE. A summary of NTPs issued for the Antelope-Pardee Project is provided in Table 1 below, as well as any NTP modifications/addendums and Forest Service approvals. Issuance of NTPs was contingent upon SCE's compliance with pre-construction requirements as specified by the approved mitigation measures and responsible agency permitting requirements.

Table 1: Notices to Proceed
NTP #
Permit
Date Requested
Date
Issued
Segment
Description
#1
10/10/07
1
Use of the Mojave Marshalling Yard to store construction equipment and materials.
#2
11/16/07
1
Antelope Substation construction and expansion, and use of two adjacent contractor laydown yards.
#2 Mod
12/21/07
1
Grading at Antelope Substation site and yards. Replacement of an existing 80 foot microwave tower with a new 120 foot tower within the fenced area of the Antelope Substation.
#3
1/10/08
1
Use of five contractor laydown yards: Pumpkin Yard, Pottery Yard, Pardee Substation Yard, Mechanics Yard and Avenue I Yard.
#4
1/29/08
1
Use of the Racetrack Marshalling Yard.
#5
2/19/08
1
Shoofly Construction, Section 1.
#5 Mod #1
3/11/08
1
Use of a new soil disposal site for the Shoofly construction, Section 1.
#5 Mod #2
3/24/08
1
Removal of the 66 kV conductors on the Del Sur-Saugus line during the outage scheduled for March 27, 2008.s
#6
3/19/08
1
Use of three additional construction yards, Rodeo, Blue Cloud, and Pumpkin expansion. Rodeo yard approved under NTP #9.
#7
4/03/08
1
Section 1 Construction.
#8
5/01/08
1
10 acre marshalling yard near Antelope Substation.
#9
3/18/08
1
Rodeo Yard
#10
6/02/08
1
12 kV line (Hughes Lake Distribution Line).
#11
6/03/08
1
Section 3 construction.
#12
6/27/08
1
Hydrant Yard
#13
7/17/08
1
Removal of the 66 kV conductors within the ANF, Phase 1, from tower 7-3 (near southern Forest boundary) to 16-3 (near Bouquet Reservoir).
#15
9-24-08
1
Removal of the 66 kV conductors within the ANF, Phase 2.
#16
10/01/08
1
Section 3, Reitano Marshalling yard.
#18
10/24/08
1
Section 2 Construction (Angeles National Forest)
#CPUC Addendum #1
8/04/09
1
Reclassify several roads as permanent and leave several existing foundations in place.
#24
10/07/09
1
Relocation of 66kV lines for Antelope Substation expansion.
#CPUC Addendum #2
11/06/09
12/10/09 (6.6MB)
1
Reclassify several roads for Antelope 66kV relocation and Reitano property as permanent.
#26
12/18/09
1
Expansion of Antelope Substation
#CPUC Addendum #3
12/21/09
1
Permanent refueling basin at Hydrant Yard
#29
2/10/10
1
Relocation of the Sagebrush Transmission Line at the Antelope Substation expansion area
#CPUC Addendum #4
4/16/10
1
Installation of fiber optics surrounding the Antelope Expansion
#CPUC Addendum #5
5/25/10
6/04/10 (5.6MB)
1
Permanent overland travel routes for Operation and Maintenance inspections
USDA Forest Service Permtting & Modifications (ANF lands only)
 
11/29/07
12/14/07
1
Radio Repeater - installation of a temporary radio repeater site on Sierra Pelona Ridge to provide communication during construction activities tied to the project. Improvement installation began Jan. 11
 
9/27/07
12/14/07
1
Geotechnical testing - 23 geotechnical borings are authorized on National Forest lands to provide additional information that will be used in the design of the transmission towers. Notice to proceed was signed Jan 31 to begin work the week of Feb. 3
 
7/14/08
1
Removal of the 66 kV conductor within the ANF, from tower 7-3 (near southern Forest boundary) to 16-3 (near Bouquet Reservoir) Phase I.
 
 
9/23/08
1
Removal of the 66 kV conductor within the ANF, Phase II
 
 
10/23/08
1
Construction of the 500 kV transmission line and wreck out of the 66 kV towers in the ANF, Section 2.

Other responsible agency permits required for construction, and their amendments, are listed here. Major compliance plans requiring CPUC and/or permit agency review and approval included the following.

  • Sensitive Biological Habitat Survey Reports
  • Bird Nesting Survey Reports
  • Restoration Plans
  • Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs)
  • Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plans (SPCCs)
  • Fugitive Dust Control Plans
  • Paleontological Resources Discovery and Management Plans
  • Cultural Resources Treatment Plans
  • Phase I and II Site Investigation Reports
  • Waste Characterization and Management Plans
  • Worker Environmental Awareness Program Plans
  • Health and Safety Plans
  • Construction Safety and Emergency Response Plans
  • Fire Prevention Plans
  • Construction Transportation/Traffic Plans

Construction Monitoring & Variance Review

CPUC Environmental Monitors monitored construction activities to ensure that construction was conducted in accordance with the approved mitigation measures and permit conditions. Weekly reports documenting construction and monitoring activities are posted here.

As final engineering was completed and as construction necessitated, Variance Requests were submitted for the Project. A summary of the Variance Requests is provided in Table 2 below. Each of these requests was reviewed by CPUC to ensure that no new impacts or increase in impact severity would result from the requested change.

Table 2: Variance Requests
Variance
Request
Date Requested
Date
Issued
Segment
Description
VR #1
4/01/08
1
Temporary road along Shoofly portion.
VR #2
4/18/08
1
Several expanded stringing sites, new staging areas, and guard structure installation sites for the removal of the 220 kV line.
VR #3
4/24/08
1
Weekend work along the Shoofly portion of Section 1, within the City of Santa Clarita and Los Angeles County, and at the Antelope Substation, Avenue J, in the City of Lancaster.
VR #4
5/08/08
1
Weekend work along the 66 kV line in Section 1
VR #5
7/15/08
1
Wreck-out Tower and Guard Poles
VR #6
7/30/08
1
Modification to the notice and review requirements under Mitigation Measures L-5 and L-6.
VR #7
8/12/08
1
Wire Stringing site in Section 1 between NC 11 and 12.
VR #8
8/20/08
1
Guard structures at Haskell Canyon outside of approved disturbance areas.
VR #9
8/19/08
1
Valuzet Movie Ranch Helicopter Landing Zone, Section 1.
VR #10
8/21/08
1
Permission to leave one tower foundation in place at wreck out tower 24/2 in Section 1, due to likelihood of slope failure.
VR #11
9/12/08
1
New temporary road construction to NC 97 in Section 3.
VR #13
9/16/08
1
Turn around for equipment at NC 28 in Section 1
VR #15
9/20/08
1
Access road changes, Section 3
VR #17
10/14/08
1
Extended weekend work hours between NC 22 & 23 Haskell Canyon utility crossings
VR #18
10/15/08
1
Wreck-out Tower 25/5 disturbance area and access road and footing removal. Segment 1, Section 3.
VR #19
11/05/08
1
Use of existing disturbance areas as helicopter landing zones, Section 1
VR #20
11/05/08
1
Use of existing disturbance areas as helicopter landing zones, Section 3
VR #21
11/24/08
1
Approved to leave two foundations in place at wreck-out tower 25/1
VR #23
1/07/09
1
Additional disturbance area near Tower 25 and Wire Stringing Site 14 on Section 1
VR #24
1/08/09
1
Underground fiber optic line for Tower 13 on Section 1
MOD
VR #24
2/20/09
1
Modify fiber optic line alignment to Tower 13
VR #25
1/13/09
1
Work on Sunday, January 18, during LADWP outage over Haskell Canyon
VR #26
1/20/09
1
Permanent lift Tower M88-T1A southwest side Antelope Substation
VR #27
1/29/09
1
Extension of approved construction work hours Towers 22 and 23 (Haskell Canyon Crossing)
VR #28
2/02/09
2/04/09
1
Second wire stringing site for Tower 16
VR #32
3/03/09
1
Nighttime wire removal across Newhall Ranch Road, City of Santa Clarita
VR #33
3/04/09
1
Hydrant Yard nighttime emergency helicopter repairs Monday through Saturday
VR #34
3/12/09
1
Sunday work on March 15th - permanent transfer of temporary shoo-fly transmission towers to the new permanent A-P 500kV double-circuit T/L (Section 1)
VR #36
3/09/09
1
Heavy-lift helicopter (sky crane) Section 2 - Upper Pumpkin Yard, Hydrant and Reitano Yard use.
VR #37
3/30/09
1
Installation of an underground conduit near Tower 11 (Section 1)
VR #42
4/28/09
1
Expansion of Wire Stringing Site 13 (Section 1)
VR #45
4/28/09
ANF: 5/20/09 CPUC: 5/22/09
1
Use of alternate access near Bouquet Reservoir to access Wire Stringing Site 23
VR #53
7/29/09
1
Modification to existing Tower M24-T1 (Section 1)
VR #60
10/15/09
1
Modification to MM PH-6, notification timing for energization
VR #65
12/18/09
1
66 kV relocation shoo-fly
VR #66
1/11/10
1
Modify the requirements of MM B-1a to fulfill a request from the property owner
VR #68
4/09/10
1
Release restoration requirements on road to wreck-out Tower 20-4 (Section 3)
VR #69
5/04/10
1
Contractor Yards surrounding Antelope Substation
MOD
VR #69
7/29/10
1
Additional space for storage at Antelope Substation for material being delivered for Antelope, Vincent and Whirlwind Substations
VR #70
6/02/10
1
Additional disturbance areas adjacent to tower erections for 220 kV Sagebrush relocation work around Antelope Substation
VR #71
6/22/10
1
Change in construction work hours for work on the Sagebrush 220 kV T/L
MOD #1
VR #71
6/24/10
1
Expansion of construction hours for Sagebrush 220 kV T/L and foundation installation work at Antelope Substation
MOD #2
VR #71
7/08/10
1
Further expansion of construction hours for Antelope Substation construction
MOD #3
VR #71
11/18/10
1
Further expansion of construction hours for Antelope Substation construction
VR #72
2/07/12 Revised 6/06/12
1
Exemption of restoration requirements in areas where livestock grazing has occurred
VR #74
7/30/14
1
Exemption of restoration requirements for selected locations


BACKGROUND

Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement

In accordance with CEQA and NEPA, an Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement was prepared for the proposed Project. The Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIR/EIS) was certified and a Certification of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) was granted by CPUC (Docket #A.04-12-007, SCH #2005061161) on March 1, 2007. The CPUC approved a project alignment that included the originally proposed alignment (northern and southern ends) and a combination of Alternatives 2 and 4. Maps of the approved alignment are provided below, in the link provided to the Final EIR/EIS.

The Final EIR/EIS was prepared in December 2006 and issued in early January 2007. The Final EIR/EIS consists of two volumes. Volume I is a re-printed version of the Draft EIR/EIS. Changes made to the Draft EIR/EIS in Volume I are identified as follows: inserted text is underlined and deleted text is shown in strikeout. Volume II consists of all comments received on the Draft EIR/EIS and responses to those comments, as well as the mitigation monitoring plan.

The CPUC released the Draft EIR/EIS for the proposed Project on July 21, 2006. The public comment period for this document ended on October 3, 2006. All comments received on the Draft EIR/EIS were responded to in the Final EIR/EIS, Volume II, as discussed above.

CEQA requires that the CPUC provide written responses to public agency comments at least 10 days prior to certifying an EIR (Public Resource Code 21092.5(a)). This was accomplished by sending the Final EIR to all agencies that commented.

NEPA Process and USDA Forest Service Record of Decision

The U.S. EPA's Office of Federal Activities published a Notice of Availability of the Final EIS in the Federal Register on January 19, 2007. The USDA Forest Service issued a Record of Decision (ROD) on August 23, 2007, which states the decision, identifies all alternatives considered, and describes applicable mitigation. The Forest Service also approved an alignment comprised of a combination of Alternatives 2 and 4. Two Notices of Appeal were filed on the ROD. On November 19, 2007, the USDA Forest Service Appeal Reviewing Officer (ARO) found that the Forest Supervisor's decision was appropriate and complied with existing laws, policies, and regulations.

OTHER DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE

Final Decision Granting a CPCN

USDA Forest Service Record of Decision (August 23, 2007)

Notice of Availability of the Final EIR/EIS (December 29, 2006)

Notice of Extension of the Draft EIR/EIS review period (September 13, 2006)

Notice of Availability of the Draft EIR/EIS (July 21, 2006)

Federal Register Notice of Intent to prepare a joint environmental impact statement/report (June 28, 2005)

Notice of Preparation of an EIR/EIS (June 24, 2005)

SCE's Proponent's Environmental Assessment (December 9, 2004)

More Construction photos

Informational Video (26MB)

For Additional Information

To request additional information, please contact CPUC as follows:
John Boccio, CPUC Project Manager
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102

john.boccio@cpuc.ca.gov
   

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