California Code of Regulations › Title 20 - Public Utilities and Energy › Division 2 - State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission › Chapter 6 - Environmental Protection › Article 2 - Designation of Transmission Corridor Zones › Appendix A - Information Requirements for a Corridor Designation Application

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
(a) Executive Summary
In a section entitled, "Executive Summary," the application
					 shall contain:
(1) a general description of the proposed transmission
					 corridor, its location, the region in which it is proposed to be located, the
					 immediate vicinity, and the transmission facilities anticipated to be within
					 the corridor;
(2) a summary of the need for the proposed corridor based
					 on the state's needs and objectives as set forth in the latest adopted
					 strategic plan under Section
					 25324
					 of the Public Resources Code and any other relevant information provided in the
					 application;
(3) a summary of reasonably foreseeable impacts to the
					 environment or to public health and safety associated with the proposed
					 designation of the corridor for a high-voltage electric transmission line;
					 and
(4) a summary of mitigation measures proposed to avoid or
					 minimize any such impacts to the environment or to public health and
					 safety.
(b) Project Description
In a section entitled, "Project Description," the
					 application shall contain:
(1) a detailed description of the proposed transmission
					 corridor, identifying the corridor's geographic location, direction, length and
					 width;
(2) a detailed description of the setting of the proposed
					 transmission corridor zone;
(3) maps* depicting the region, the vicinity, the proposed
					 transmission corridor, and its immediate surroundings at a scale of 1:24,000
					 (or another appropriate map scale agreed to by staff), and showing developed
					 areas, including demographic data and location(s) of low-income and minority
					 populations in the vicinity of the proposed corridor, major infrastructure,
					 parks, recreational areas, scenic areas, existing transmission lines within one
					 mile of the center line of the proposed corridor; and any other matters the
					 applicant may wish to include;
(4) full-page color reproductions of photographs showing
					 the features and characteristics of the area within and alongside the proposed
					 corridor;
(5) the center line of the proposed transmission corridor
					 identified by mileposts at appropriate distances and the beginning and ending
					 longitude and latitude of each segment between the mileposts in the proposed
					 corridor; and,
(6) in an appendix to the application, a list of current
					 assessor's parcel numbers and owners' names and addresses for all parcels
					 within and out to 500 feet of the outer boundaries of the proposed transmission
					 corridor.
* All maps depicting the proposed transmission corridor in
					 the application shall show the proposed corridor's center line and outer
					 boundaries and shall conform with the format requirements for such documents
					 under Sections
					 1208.1 and
					 1706.
(c) Conformity with Strategic Plan and
					 Need
In a section entitled, "Conformity with Strategic Plan and
					 Need for Corridor," the application shall contain:
(1) the planning timeframe for the transmission project(s)
					 anticipated to be within the corridor zone proposed for designation;
(2) the objective(s) of locating one or more transmission
					 projects within the proposed corridor zone, for example, to access renewable
					 resources, facilitate bulk power transactions, reliably and efficiently serve
					 projected load growth, coordinate with corridors designated under Section
					 368 of the Federal Energy Policy
					 Act of 2005, or address issues of National Interest Electric Transmission
					 Corridors designated under Section
					 1221 of the Federal Energy Policy
					 Act of 2005;
(3) a discussion of how each stated objective relates to
					 the applicable strategic plan based on the following:
(A) a discussion of the transmission capacity additions,
					 transmission corridors, and planning timeframes described in the latest
					 strategic plan adopted pursuant to Section
					 25324
					 of the Public Resources Code that relate to the transmission corridor zone
					 proposed for designation and
(B) a discussion of the conformity of the proposed
					 transmission corridor zone with all related aspects of the latest adopted
					 strategic plan;
(4) a general description of the transmission facilities
					 that the applicant anticipates would be within the corridor zone, including
					 power lines and voltages, substations, switchyards and other facilities and the
					 reasons for selecting the facilities described;
(5) a discussion of the expected load growth, capacity, and
					 energy levels for the planning timeframe of the transmission project
					 anticipated within the proposed corridor zone;
(6) a discussion of new generating resources and other
					 electricity supplies that are likely to be available in the load area as an
					 alternative to transmission expansion in the planning timeframe and could serve
					 the expected load growth in a manner consistent with the state's energy
					 policies or a discussion of the constraints to the development of local
					 generation resources;
(7) a discussion of the expected energy efficiency and
					 demand reduction measures, as identified in the latest adopted Integrated
					 Energy Policy Report, that are likely to be available in the planning timeframe
					 and could serve as an alternative to transmission expansion;
(8) a discussion of the California Independent System
					 Operator's latest transmission planning results and, if available, the relevant
					 Western Electricity Coordinating Council Regional Planning and Facility Rating
					 Process results, the transmission plans of local publicly owned electric
					 utilities, and other transmission planning studies that have a material bearing
					 on the need of the transmission project(s) that the applicant anticipates
					 within the proposed corridor zone in the planning timeframe; and
(9) a discussion of the need for the proposed corridor zone
					 to achieve the stated objective(s) in subsection (2), given the potential for
					 supply, demand, and efficiency alternatives discussed in subsections (6) and
					 (7) that could also serve the same objective(s).
(d) Corridor Alternatives
In a section entitled, "Corridor Alternatives," the
					 application shall contain:
(1) identification of a reasonable range of alternative
					 corridors that could achieve the basic objectives of the proposed
					 corridor;
(2) a discussion of how the proposed corridor and
					 alternatives were selected, the criteria used to reject alternatives, and an
					 explanation why the proposed corridor is superior to the alternatives;
					 and
(3) a screening-level analysis of a reasonable range of
					 alternative corridors, considering the impacts of each alternative on visual
					 resources, land use, biological resources, cultural resources, and any other
					 impacts that could be significant. Alternatively, an application may provide
					 justification for why there are no feasible alternatives that might reasonably
					 be considered for the proposed corridor.
(e) General Environmental Information
					 Requirements
An application for designation of an electric transmission
					 corridor zone shall provide information addressing potential direct, indirect,
					 and cumulative impacts in all the subject areas identified in the following
					 sections for the proposed transmission corridor zone. The required information
					 shall be provided in sufficient detail to allow determination of the
					 suitability of the proposed transmission corridor zone with respect to
					 reasonably foreseeable environmental, public health and safety, land use, and
					 economic impacts from the future construction, operation, and maintenance of a
					 transmission line within the corridor zone. With respect to potentially
					 significant impacts, each technical area shall also discuss mitigation measures
					 and any monitoring plans to verify the effectiveness of the mitigation.
(f) Water and Soil Resources
In a section entitled, "Water and Soil Resources," the
					 application shall include:
(1) a general narrative description of the hydrologic
					 setting of the proposed transmission corridor zone, including a discussion of
					 any water-related special status areas within, or contiguous to, the corridor
					 zone;
(2) a topographic map, at a scale of 1:24,000 (or another
					 appropriate scale agreed to by staff), showing major water bodies and any
					 identified special status areas within, or contiguous to, the proposed
					 transmission corridor zone. Water-related special status areas may include, but
					 are not limited to, a wild and scenic river; outstanding national resource
					 water; significant natural area, special aquatic site, research natural area,
					 special interest area, and area of critical environmental concern;
(3) a discussion of potential impacts to water resources
					 within, or contiguous to, the proposed transmission corridor zone, that may
					 occur from the future construction, operation, or maintenance of electric
					 transmission line structures within the corridor zone, including anticipated
					 impacts associated with waste discharges, water runoff, drainage, ground water
					 recharge, erosion patterns and the physical or chemical conditions of existing
					 water bodies;
(4) a discussion of what measures could be taken to avoid
					 or mitigate any significant adverse impacts to water resources that are
					 identified;
(5) a discussion of whether any of the water-related
					 special status areas identified could be adversely affected by the future
					 construction, operation, or maintenance of electric transmission line
					 structures within the corridor zone and what measures could be taken to avoid
					 or mitigate significant impacts;
(6) a general narrative description of the topography,
					 major soil types, erosion potential, and agricultural land uses within, or
					 contiguous to, the proposed transmission corridor zone, including a discussion
					 of any special or unique soil areas within, or contiguous to, the corridor
					 zone;
(7) a topographic map, at a scale of 1:24,000 (or another
					 appropriate scale agreed to by staff), showing major soil types and any
					 identified special or unique soil areas within, or contiguous to, the proposed
					 transmission corridor zone, including, but not limited to, areas designated as
					 prime agricultural soil or soil of statewide importance, areas containing
					 expansive soils or soils subject to hydrocompaction, contaminated soils, and
					 areas underlain by naturally occurring asbestos;
(8) a discussion of potential impacts to soil resources
					 within, or contiguous to, the proposed transmission corridor zone, that may
					 occur from the future construction, operation, or maintenance of electric
					 transmission line structures within the transmission corridor zone, including
					 anticipated impacts on soil loss from wind or water erosion, impacts to
					 existing agricultural practices, and potential changes to the soil-vegetation
					 system;
(9) a discussion of what measures could be taken to avoid
					 or mitigate any adverse impacts to soil resources that are identified;
(10) a discussion of whether any of the special or unique
					 soil areas identified could be adversely affected by the future construction,
					 operation, or maintenance of electric transmission line structures within the
					 corridor zone and what measures could be taken to avoid or mitigate significant
					 impacts; and
(11) all assumptions, evidence, references, and
					 calculations used to support the descriptions, discussions, and analyses
					 required in this section.
(g) Waste Management
In a section entitled, "Waste Management," the application
					 shall include:
(1) a discussion of any contaminated soil or contaminated
					 water within, or contiguous to, the transmission corridor zone that could
					 adversely affect the environment or public health and safety due to the future
					 construction, operation or maintenance of electric transmission line structures
					 within the proposed transmission corridor zone and what measures could be taken
					 to avoid or mitigate significant impacts;
(2) a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for the
					 proposed transmission corridor using methods prescribed by the American Society
					 of Testing and Materials (ASTM) document entitled "Standard Practice for
					 Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process"
					 (Designation: E 1527-05); or an equivalent method agreed upon by the applicant
					 and the staff that provides similar documentation of the potential level and
					 extent of site contamination; and
(3) all assumptions, evidence, references, and calculations
					 used to support the descriptions, discussions, and analyses required in this
					 section.
(h) Biological Resources
In a section entitled, "Biological Resources," the
					 application shall describe the biological resource setting of the proposed
					 transmission line corridor zone and include all of the following:
(1) a discussion and map of sensitive biological resource
					 areas including, but not limited to, wetlands and riparian habitat, areas
					 covered by a Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Communities Conservation Plan,
					 or similar regional or local habitat protection program, and any area
					 designated as a wildlife refuge or any other special designation;
(2) a list of sensitive species and their habitat known to
					 occur or likely to occur within the proposed corridor zone and within 1 mile of
					 the transmission corridor zone plotted on maps at a scale of 1:24,000 (or
					 another appropriate scale agreed to by staff) or aerial photographs of an
					 appropriate scale;
(3) a discussion of potentially significant biological
					 resource impacts that are reasonably foreseeable from future construction,
					 operation, or maintenance of electric transmission line structures within the
					 corridor zone and mitigation measures to minimize or avoid potentially
					 significant impacts;
(4) a list of biological resource-related state and federal
					 permits that are likely to be required for the transmission corridor and the
					 state and federal laws that are applicable to each permit; and
(5) a list of all who prepared the Biological Resources
					 section and their qualifications.
(i) Cultural Resources
In a section entitled, "Cultural Resources," the
					 application shall describe the cultural resources setting of the proposed
					 transmission corridor zone and include all of the following:
(1) a discussion of cultural resource information regarding
					 the proposed transmission corridor provided by the California Historical
					 Resources Information System, which is maintained by the California Department
					 of Parks and Recreation, Office of Historic Preservation, through contracts
					 with independent regional Information Centers*,
(2) topographic maps at a scale of 1:24,000 showing the
					 proposed corridor zone, areas already surveyed for cultural resources, and
					 locations of known cultural resources*,
(3) a discussion of sacred lands data base information
					 provided by the Native American Heritage Commission*;
(4) a discussion of contacts made with Native Americans
					 identified by the Native American Heritage Commission and information about
					 locations of archaeological and sacred sites*;
(5) a discussion of known and reasonably foreseeable
					 cultural resource impacts that could be adversely affected from the future
					 construction, operation, or maintenance of electric transmission line
					 structures within the corridor zone and measures that could be taken to
					 mitigate any adverse impacts; and
(6) a list all who prepared the Cultural Resources section
					 and their qualifications. (Include information indicating that they meet the
					 Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards as referenced
					 in the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 61, section
					 61.3.)
* Any submittal that contains information about the
					 locations of archaeological sites must be submitted under confidential cover
					 and only a Cultural Resources Specialist is authorized to review confidential
					 cultural resources submittals.
(j) Land Use
In a section entitled, "Land Use," the application shall
					 include:
(1) a general description of existing and future land uses
					 adopted by any federal, state, regional, and local planning agency/authority
					 within the proposed transmission corridor zone;
(2) a map, at a scale of 1:24,000 (or another appropriate
					 scale agreed to by staff), showing existing and future land uses and any
					 identified special status areas within, or contiguous to, the proposed
					 transmission corridor zone;
(3) the identification of special status areas, if any,
					 within the proposed corridor zone and within one mile of the outer boundaries
					 of the proposed corridor; special status areas include, but are not limited to,
					 areas designated by the California Coastal Commission, San Francisco Bay
					 Conservation and Development Commission, and Delta Protection Commission;
					 farmland designated as prime, of statewide importance, or unique by the
					 California Department of Conservation; Federal, State, regional, county and
					 city parks; wilderness, scenic or natural reserves; areas for wildlife
					 protection, recreation, and historic preservation; mineral resource lands;
					 Native American lands; military lands, and airports;
(4) a discussion of whether any of the special status areas
					 identified could be adversely affected by the future construction, operation,
					 or maintenance of electric transmission line structures within the proposed
					 transmission corridor zone and what measures could be taken to avoid or
					 mitigate significant impacts.
(5) a discussion of the potential impacts to present and
					 foreseeable land uses within, or contiguous to, the proposed corridor zone,
					 that may occur from the future construction, operation, or maintenance of
					 electric transmission line structures within the corridor zone; such discussion
					 should include anticipated impacts on residential, recreational, scenic,
					 agricultural, natural resource protection, educational, religious, cultural,
					 and historic areas, military and airport operations, special status areas, and
					 any other area of unique land uses;
(6) a discussion of what measures could be taken to avoid
					 or mitigate potentially significant adverse impacts;
(7) a discussion of any city- or county-designated
					 transmission corridors located anywhere within the local jurisdiction that
					 would be traversed by the proposed corridor;
(8) a discussion of any designated transmission corridors
					 on state or federally managed lands within all counties affected by the
					 corridor;
(9) a discussion of any local, state, or federal laws,
					 ordinances, regulations, or standards that promote or discourage electric
					 transmission lines in specific areas of the affected jurisdictions or that
					 place restrictions on any electric transmission lines to be built within the
					 proposed corridor;
(10) a discussion of any plan changes (e.g., city/county
					 general plan, State Park general plan, National Forest plan, etc.) being
					 considered by affected local, state, and federal jurisdictions that may present
					 an obstacle to the proposed transmission corridor;
(11) on a map at a scale of 1:24,000 (or another
					 appropriate map scale agreed to by staff), identification of any local, state,
					 or federal designated transmission corridors discussed above, and any city
					 sphere-of-influence boundaries; and
(12) all assumptions, evidence, and references used to
					 support the descriptions, discussions, and analyses required in this
					 section.
(k) Traffic and Transportation
In a section entitled, "Traffic and Transportation," the
					 application shall include:
(1) a general description of the regional transportation
					 setting of the proposed transmission corridor zone, including all existing and
					 planned state highways and freeways within the proposed corridor zone and
					 within 0.5 miles of the outer boundaries of the corridor;
(2) identification of any airport within 20,000 feet of a
					 proposed transmission corridor, and any heliport within 5,000 feet of a
					 proposed corridor (or planned or proposed airport runway or an airport runway
					 under construction, that is the subject of a notice or proposal on file with
					 the Federal Aviation Administration);
(3) identification of any designated airport safety zone,
					 airport influence area, or airport referral area within or contiguous to the
					 proposed transmission corridor;
(4) identification of any restricted military airspace
					 within or contiguous to the proposed transmission corridor;
(5) a discussion of how the future construction, operation,
					 or maintenance of electric transmission line structures within the proposed
					 corridor zone would affect what is identified above in subsections (1) through
					 (4);
(6) a discussion of what measures could be taken to avoid
					 or mitigate potentially significant adverse impacts from the future
					 construction, operation, or maintenance of electric transmission line
					 structures within the proposed corridor;
(7) all assumptions, evidence, and references used to
					 support the descriptions, discussions, and analyses required in this section;
					 and
(8) a map, at a scale of 1:24,000 (or another appropriate
					 scale agreed to by staff), showing the transportation facilities identified
					 above.
(
l
) Visual Resources
In a section entitled, "Visual Resources," the application
					 shall include:
(1) a general narrative description of the regional visual
					 setting of the proposed transmission corridor zone, including the visual
					 properties of the topography, vegetation, and any modifications to the
					 landscape as a result of human activities;
(2) a discussion of special status areas, if any, within or
					 visible from the proposed corridor zone that could be adversely affected by the
					 future construction, operation, or maintenance of electric transmission line
					 structures within the corridor zone; special status areas include, but are not
					 limited to, areas designated by the California Coastal Commission; state,
					 regional, county and city parks; wilderness, scenic or natural reserves; scenic
					 vistas or scenic resource areas; State Scenic Highways; National Scenic Byways;
					 and All-American Roads;
(3) a discussion of whether any of the special status areas
					 identified could be adversely affected by the future construction, operation,
					 or maintenance of electric transmission line structures within the proposed
					 transmission corridor zone, and what measures could be taken to avoid or
					 mitigate significant impacts;
(4) a topographic map, at a scale of 1:24,000 (or another
					 appropriate scale agreed to by staff), showing the special status areas within
					 or contiguous to, the proposed transmission corridor zone;
(5) a discussion of the potential visual impacts that may
					 occur from the future construction, operation, or maintenance of electric
					 transmission line structures within the corridor zone. The discussion should
					 include anticipated impacts on visually sensitive areas, including, but not
					 limited to, residential, recreational, coastal, and scenic areas, travelers on
					 scenic roadways, and special status areas. The discussion shall also indicate
					 what measures could be taken to avoid or mitigate any potentially significant
					 adverse impacts; and
(6) all assumptions, evidence, and references used to
					 support the descriptions, discussions, and analyses required in this
					 section.
The requirements in this Appendix apply also to a motion by
					 the Energy Commission to designate a transmission corridor zone.
Note: Authority cited: Section
						25218(e),
						Public Resources Code. Reference: Section
						25331,
						Public Resources Code; and Section
						15084, Title 14, California Code
						of Regulations.[FN1]