Transmission Siting and Environmental Permitting

Permitting Rules and Regulations

Investor-owned utilities are required to obtain a permit from the CPUC for construction of certain specified infrastructure listed under Public Utilities Code sections 1001.  The CPUC reviews permit applications under two concurrent processes:  (1) an environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and (2) the review of project need and costs pursuant to Public Utilties Code (PU Code) sections 1001 et seq. and General Order (G.O.) 131-D (Certification of Public Necessity and Convenience (CPCN) or Permit to Construct (PTC)).  Below are resources for permit applicants and public parties interest in participating in CPUC's environmental review and/or the CPUC's economic and need assessment for a particular project.

• CPUC General Order (G.O) 131-D
• CEQA Information and Criteria List - April 2007
• EMFs
• CPUC Rules of Practice and Procedure
• Public Utilties Code requirements (Basis for granting CPCN)

CPUC Guidance on the Permitting Process

• Executive Director's Streamlining Directive
• General Guidance for Filing a CPCN/PTC application with the CPUC Docket Office - June 2009
• Presentation on "General Information on Permitting Electric Transmission Projects" - June 2009
• Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) Process:
   A Step-by-Step Guide - August 2008
• Overview of Electric Transmission Siting at the California Public Utilities Commission - January 2009
• Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA) Checklist - Transmission - November 2008  Word | PDF
• Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA) Checklist - Natural Gas - November 2008  Word | PDF
• Additional Federal, State, and Local Permits Likely to be Required (In addition to the CPCN or PTC) - June 2009
• Who's Permitting Investor-Owned Utility Infrastructure (Cities and Counties) - TBP

Environmental Links:

• California Energy Commission
• California Air Resources Board
• Information Center for the Environment (ICE)
• CERES - California Environmental Resources Evaluation System

Hot Topics 

• CalAm - Coastal Water (A.04-09-019)
• SCE Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (A.07-06-031)
  • December 17, 2009: CPUC Approves TRTP
• PG&E Central California Clean Energy Transmission Project
• SCE Eldorado to Ivanpah Transmission Line Upgrade (A.09-05-027)
• SCE Antelope-Pardee 500 kV Transmission Line Project (A.04-12-007)
  • (video)
  • (photos)
• SCE San Joaquin Cross Valley Loop (A.08-05-039)
• Backstop Cost Recovery (D.06-06-034) for renewable transmission projects

Transmission Projects

• Current Projects - October 2009
• Mitigation Monitoring/Under Construction  - TBP 
• Past Projects - October 2009 
• Project Map of Transmission Projects in Southern California (Planned, In Permitting Or Under Construction) - September 2009
• Project Map of Transmission Projects in Southern California (Transmission Projects and RETI Information)  
• Transmission Project Tracking Spreadsheet  - December 2009

Non-Transmission Projects

• Curent Projects - TBP
• Mitigation Monitoring/Under Construction - TBP
• Past Projects - TBP

Transmission Links

• California Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative (RETI)
• Canada - Pacific Northwest - Northern California Transmission Project (in planning) - PG&E
• Green Path North Project - LADWP
• Barren Ridge Renewable Transmission Project - LADWP
• CAISO Transmission Study to Reach 33% Renewable - September 2009 

Workshops

• Workshops
  • Resource Agency Workshop on Permitting - February 2009
  • New Technologies Workshop - TBP
  • Mitigation Monitoring Workshop - TBP

Advice Letters

• Moorpark-Newberry Resolution - December 3, 2009 Commission Agenda