STATE OF CALIFORNIA
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

PacifiCorp’s Morrison Creek Substation Project

(Application A.07-07-018, filed July 20, 2007)

Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of the proposed construction of PacifiCorp’s Morrison Creek Substation Project. An application for this project was submitted to the CPUC on July 20, 2007 (Application A.07-07-018). This site provides access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA review. Click here to read the final decision on the project.

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Background

Through its CPUC application (A.07-07-018) filed on July 20, 2007, pursuant to CPUC General Order (GO) 131-D, PacifiCorp seeks a Permit to Construct (PTC) the proposed Morrison Creek Substation and remove the existing Simonson Substation (Proposed Project). The existing Simonson Substation, which currently steps voltage down from 69 kilovolt (kV) to 12.5 kV, would be replaced with the proposed Morrison Creek Substation which would have the same distribution capabilities. The objective of the Proposed Project is to increase system reliability in order to continue safe and reliable electric service to customers in the area.

The Proposed Project site is in northwest Del Norte County approximately one quarter mile southeast of the community of Smith River, California, and approximately five miles south of the Oregon/California border (see map below). The site is south of Rowdy Creek and adjacent to the eastern side of U.S. Highway 101 and an existing 69 kV transmission line with 12.5 kV distribution underbuild.

Environmental Review

On January 30, 2008, the CPUC has prepared a Final Mitigated Negative Declaration (Final MND) pursuant to the CEQA for consideration of PacifiCorp's Application to Construct the Morrison Creek Substation Project (A.07-07-018). The Final MND details the Proposed Project, evaluates and describes its potential environmental impacts, identifies those impacts that could be significant, and presents mitigation measures to avoid or minimize these impacts.

CPUC Actions After Final MND Publication. There is no comment period following issuance of the Final MND. The CPUC will determine the adequacy of the Final MND, and, if adequate, will adopt the document as being compliant with CEQA. If adequate, the CPUC will issue a Proposed Decision on the Application, which will be announced and published concurrent with a scheduled CPUC Meeting. After the Commission makes the decision on the Application, a Notice of Determination will be mailed to the State Clearinghouse within 5 days of the Decision. After the Notice of Determination is filed, the 30 day statute of limitations for court challenges begins to run. For further information on the CPUC's decision-making process, please call the CPUC Public Advisor at (415) 703-2074.

Availability of Final MND. Copies of the Final MND will be available for public review at the Smith River Community Library and the Crescent City Branch of the Del Norte County Library, and by clicking here. Hard copies or CD copies of the Final MND may be requested by telephone at (415) 962-8468 or by e-mail at morrisoncreek@esassoc.com.

On November 20, 2007, the CPUC published a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the Morrison Creek Substation Project, showing that the Proposed Project, as mitigated, would not have any significant effects on the environment. The Draft IS/MND was available for a 30-day public comment period November 20, 2007 through December 21, 2007.

The CPUC held a public information meeting on December 12, 2007 at the Smith River Community Hall, 241 First Street, Smith River, California, between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Following the end of the public comment period, the CPUC has prepared a Final IS/MND which considered comments received on the Draft IS/MND.

Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA)

PacifiCorp filed a PEA with its Application dated July 10, 2007. This document provides the Applicant's views on the environmental impacts of the Proposed Project. It is used as the starting point for the independent environmental review process conducted by the CPUC.

Final Mitigated Negative Declaration

The January 30, 2008 Final Mitigated Negative Declaration may be viewed by clicking here and the Notice of Availability for the Final MND may be viewed by clicking here.

Draft Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration

The November 20, 2007 Draft Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration may be viewed by clicking here and the Notice of Intent to Adopt the MND may be viewed by clicking here.

For Additional Information

The CPUC, through its Environmental Review Team, manages environmental review of the project. The CPUC's Project Manager in the Energy Division's CEQA unit is:

Mr. Michael Rosauer, CPUC Project Manager
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel. (415) 703-2579
Fax (415) 703-2200

To request additional information, please contact us by email at morrisoncreek@esassoc.com

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