FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the Project
1) What is the Santa Cruz 115 kV Reinforcement Project?
2) Has an Environmental Impact Report on the proposed project been done?
3) What is an Environmental Impact Report?
4) Can California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) help us protect our community?
5) Why shouldn't PG&E update their power poles? Are you against reliable power?
6) Do you really believe PG&E would do something that is not in the public interest?
7) Are you against reliable power?
8) Are you against PG&E?
9) Are you against development and growth?
10) Can the power lines be routed underground?
11) Does this project have anything to do with any other proposed/planned construction, such as the Aptos Village development, the proposed Safeway Megastore, or the Soquel Desalination plant?
12) If this project is approved, will PG&E upgrade other power lines in the area, such as the Southern Alignment through Larkin Valley?
13) How many steel power poles does PG&E plan to install, and how tall are they?
14) How will PG&E install these poles?
15) What will be the impact on the environment of this proposed project?
16) Why doesn't Santa Cruz County have jurisdiction over this project?
17) Why is this project necessary?
18) What is a kilovolt?
19) How much will the Santa Cruz 115 kV Reinforcement Project cost, and who will pay for it?
2) Has an Environmental Impact Report on the proposed project been done?
3) What is an Environmental Impact Report?
4) Can California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) help us protect our community?
5) Why shouldn't PG&E update their power poles? Are you against reliable power?
6) Do you really believe PG&E would do something that is not in the public interest?
7) Are you against reliable power?
8) Are you against PG&E?
9) Are you against development and growth?
10) Can the power lines be routed underground?
11) Does this project have anything to do with any other proposed/planned construction, such as the Aptos Village development, the proposed Safeway Megastore, or the Soquel Desalination plant?
12) If this project is approved, will PG&E upgrade other power lines in the area, such as the Southern Alignment through Larkin Valley?
13) How many steel power poles does PG&E plan to install, and how tall are they?
14) How will PG&E install these poles?
15) What will be the impact on the environment of this proposed project?
16) Why doesn't Santa Cruz County have jurisdiction over this project?
17) Why is this project necessary?
18) What is a kilovolt?
19) How much will the Santa Cruz 115 kV Reinforcement Project cost, and who will pay for it?
1) What is the Santa Cruz 115 kV Reinforcement Project?
In January 2012, the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) applied to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to add an additional 115 kilovolt transmission line connecting the Green Valley substation in Watsonville with the Rob Roy substation in Aptos. This circuit will be added to a 7.1-mile line passing through Watsonville, Corralitos, Pleasant Valley, and Day Valley on new steel power poles, which will replace the wooden poles currently used. A new 1.7-mile high-voltage transmission line will be constructed on portions of Cox Road and Freedom Blvd.
As the details of this proposed project were revealed, it became clear that this project would have a devastating impact on the affected communities.
In January 2012, the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) applied to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to add an additional 115 kilovolt transmission line connecting the Green Valley substation in Watsonville with the Rob Roy substation in Aptos. This circuit will be added to a 7.1-mile line passing through Watsonville, Corralitos, Pleasant Valley, and Day Valley on new steel power poles, which will replace the wooden poles currently used. A new 1.7-mile high-voltage transmission line will be constructed on portions of Cox Road and Freedom Blvd.
As the details of this proposed project were revealed, it became clear that this project would have a devastating impact on the affected communities.
2) Has an Environmental Impact Report on the proposed project been done?
PG&E initially attempted to undertake the project without an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), claiming that it was only a maintenance project. When the scope of this project and its impact on the community became clear, the CPUC received hundreds of comments from residents and members of the County Board of Supervisors calling for the CPUC to require an EIR.
In January 2014, the CPUC declared that an EIR was required for this project, and accepted public comments for 30 days about what the EIR should address. It is anticipated that the CPUC will release the Draft EIR in late September 2014. Citizens will then have 45 days to respond to the report.
PG&E initially attempted to undertake the project without an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), claiming that it was only a maintenance project. When the scope of this project and its impact on the community became clear, the CPUC received hundreds of comments from residents and members of the County Board of Supervisors calling for the CPUC to require an EIR.
In January 2014, the CPUC declared that an EIR was required for this project, and accepted public comments for 30 days about what the EIR should address. It is anticipated that the CPUC will release the Draft EIR in late September 2014. Citizens will then have 45 days to respond to the report.
3) What is an Environmental Impact Report?
Many people think an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is an objective and impartial analysis done by an independent party simply to determine how a project will affect the environment. In fact, an EIR is a carefully constructed argument that tries to demonstrate that a project will not adversely affect the environment. An EIR is intended to determine mitigations – “fixes” – to remove environmental obstacles that stand in the way of a project’s approval. It will be up to concerned citizens to point out the flaws, faults, and false assumptions in the Draft EIR prepared for the California Public Utilities Commission during the 45-day comment period after it is released.
Many people think an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is an objective and impartial analysis done by an independent party simply to determine how a project will affect the environment. In fact, an EIR is a carefully constructed argument that tries to demonstrate that a project will not adversely affect the environment. An EIR is intended to determine mitigations – “fixes” – to remove environmental obstacles that stand in the way of a project’s approval. It will be up to concerned citizens to point out the flaws, faults, and false assumptions in the Draft EIR prepared for the California Public Utilities Commission during the 45-day comment period after it is released.
4) Can California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) help us protect our community?
The CPUC regulates privately owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies. Furthermore, California Public Utilities Code allows certain individuals or groups that participate in proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission involving electric, gas, water, and telephone utilities to request compensation for the costs associated with that participation. To this end, NOPOC is applying for the Intervenor Compensation Program to help us cover the costs of participating in the CPUC proceedings with regard to the Santa Cruz 115Kv Reinforcement Project.
The CPUC regulates privately owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies. Furthermore, California Public Utilities Code allows certain individuals or groups that participate in proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission involving electric, gas, water, and telephone utilities to request compensation for the costs associated with that participation. To this end, NOPOC is applying for the Intervenor Compensation Program to help us cover the costs of participating in the CPUC proceedings with regard to the Santa Cruz 115Kv Reinforcement Project.
5) Why shouldn't PG&E update their power poles?
PG&E should be allowed to maintain excellent power service to our homes. They may have to replace deteriorating power poles from time to time. They are proposing in this project to significantly increase the impact of transmission lines on our communities by dramatically increasing the height of transmission line poles and even putting transmission lines through neighborhoods that did not previously have them, in violation of well established public policy. The production and use of power is changing rapidly with the rise of home-based solar power generation, and the need to dramatically improve efficiency of power use to combat global climate change. PG&E is proposing to meet rising future demand for power that may never occur.
PG&E should be allowed to maintain excellent power service to our homes. They may have to replace deteriorating power poles from time to time. They are proposing in this project to significantly increase the impact of transmission lines on our communities by dramatically increasing the height of transmission line poles and even putting transmission lines through neighborhoods that did not previously have them, in violation of well established public policy. The production and use of power is changing rapidly with the rise of home-based solar power generation, and the need to dramatically improve efficiency of power use to combat global climate change. PG&E is proposing to meet rising future demand for power that may never occur.
6) Do you really believe PG&E would do something that is not in the public interest?
PG&E is a privately owned company that aims to make a profit by selling power to the public. What many people do not understand is that California Public Utilities Commission sets the rates that PG&E can charge for power largely based on the cost of the power systems that they own. PG&E builds new projects, and then is guaranteed a return (typically around 10 percent) on their investment by the rates that the CPUC allows them to charge.
PG&E is a privately owned company that aims to make a profit by selling power to the public. What many people do not understand is that California Public Utilities Commission sets the rates that PG&E can charge for power largely based on the cost of the power systems that they own. PG&E builds new projects, and then is guaranteed a return (typically around 10 percent) on their investment by the rates that the CPUC allows them to charge.
7) Are you against reliable power?
We recognize the need for reliable and safe power, and we support projects that work toward this goal – but not at the cost of sacrificing the environment to technological overkill. In the case of the Santa Cruz 115 kV Reinforcement Project, PG&E has not demonstrated that this project will measurably improve reliability (the stated objective), nor have alternatives been considered. The trend toward decentralized power systems, community-controlled associations, solar energy, cogeneration, and other innovative power solutions means that high-voltage transmission lines proposed by PG&E will become outdated and obsolete dinosaurs in the near future.
We recognize the need for reliable and safe power, and we support projects that work toward this goal – but not at the cost of sacrificing the environment to technological overkill. In the case of the Santa Cruz 115 kV Reinforcement Project, PG&E has not demonstrated that this project will measurably improve reliability (the stated objective), nor have alternatives been considered. The trend toward decentralized power systems, community-controlled associations, solar energy, cogeneration, and other innovative power solutions means that high-voltage transmission lines proposed by PG&E will become outdated and obsolete dinosaurs in the near future.
8) Are you against PG&E?
No. We recognize that utilities play a key role in our society's infrastructure, and we support the men and women at PG&E who work diligently to ensure that the system functions properly. As a privately owned, state-regulated monopoly, PG&E enjoys special privileges that are not available to ordinary citizens and other businesses, such as exemption from local planning and zoning laws. The historic record of safety violations, penalties, fines, and indictments that have been levied against PG&E suggests that decisions made by PG&E executives and technocrats to benefit shareholders do not always align with the best interests of ratepayers and the general public. PG&E is guaranteed a profit on capital investments such as power lines by the California Public Utilities Commission regardless of whether the project is actually needed and necessary. Therefore we are exercising our rights in a democracy by asking the CPUC and our elected representatives to review the proposed project thoroughly before it is approved.
No. We recognize that utilities play a key role in our society's infrastructure, and we support the men and women at PG&E who work diligently to ensure that the system functions properly. As a privately owned, state-regulated monopoly, PG&E enjoys special privileges that are not available to ordinary citizens and other businesses, such as exemption from local planning and zoning laws. The historic record of safety violations, penalties, fines, and indictments that have been levied against PG&E suggests that decisions made by PG&E executives and technocrats to benefit shareholders do not always align with the best interests of ratepayers and the general public. PG&E is guaranteed a profit on capital investments such as power lines by the California Public Utilities Commission regardless of whether the project is actually needed and necessary. Therefore we are exercising our rights in a democracy by asking the CPUC and our elected representatives to review the proposed project thoroughly before it is approved.
9) Are you against development and growth?
PG&E has stated in its application to the CPUC that the purpose of the project is to improve reliability, and therefore that is the basis upon which the project must be judged. PG&E has cited population growth as a factor in increased demand for electricity, but this discounts the effects of conservation, improvements in efficiency, the growth of solar energy, nontraditional sources, and other alternatives that reduce the demand for power. For example, the cost of the proposed power line project could pay for the installation of solar panels in thousands of homes and businesses, thereby negating the need for the project and eliminating its destructive effects.
PG&E has stated in its application to the CPUC that the purpose of the project is to improve reliability, and therefore that is the basis upon which the project must be judged. PG&E has cited population growth as a factor in increased demand for electricity, but this discounts the effects of conservation, improvements in efficiency, the growth of solar energy, nontraditional sources, and other alternatives that reduce the demand for power. For example, the cost of the proposed power line project could pay for the installation of solar panels in thousands of homes and businesses, thereby negating the need for the project and eliminating its destructive effects.
10) Can the power lines be routed underground?
The CPUC has requested that PG&E look at underground lines as an alternative. In PG&E's supplemental response to the CPUC Request for Data No. 8 PG&E has described how it might underground the Cox/Day Valley/McDonald Road segment of the project, leaving the portion along the northern alignment (from Green Valley to Cox Road) segment above ground using 100' steel poles, and the Freedom Blvd segment above ground using 85' wood poles.
The CPUC has requested that PG&E look at underground lines as an alternative. In PG&E's supplemental response to the CPUC Request for Data No. 8 PG&E has described how it might underground the Cox/Day Valley/McDonald Road segment of the project, leaving the portion along the northern alignment (from Green Valley to Cox Road) segment above ground using 100' steel poles, and the Freedom Blvd segment above ground using 85' wood poles.
11) Does this project have anything to do with any other proposed/planned construction, such as the Aptos Village development, the proposed Safeway Megastore, or the Soquel Desalination plant?
We don’t know of any correlation between the proposed PG&E project and any other pending or planned construction projects. PG&E has stated in its application to the CPUC that the purpose of the project is to improve reliability, and therefore that is the basis upon which the project must be judged.
We don’t know of any correlation between the proposed PG&E project and any other pending or planned construction projects. PG&E has stated in its application to the CPUC that the purpose of the project is to improve reliability, and therefore that is the basis upon which the project must be judged.
12) If this project is approved, will PG&E upgrade other power lines in the area, such as the Southern Alignment through Larkin Valley?
We are not privy to PG&E's long-term plans, and PG&E has not outlined them in its application for this project. According to a recent report, "The company (PG&E) has a number of investment projects aimed at upgrading or expanding its infrastructure. Under its capital spending program, PG&E plans to invest $5–$6 billion in 2014, a major portion of which is apportioned to electricity distribution and transmission projects. These are expected to earn rate-based growth at PG&E." In view of this report, it is reasonable to expect that PG&E will undertake similar projects in Santa Cruz County and within its service area.
We are not privy to PG&E's long-term plans, and PG&E has not outlined them in its application for this project. According to a recent report, "The company (PG&E) has a number of investment projects aimed at upgrading or expanding its infrastructure. Under its capital spending program, PG&E plans to invest $5–$6 billion in 2014, a major portion of which is apportioned to electricity distribution and transmission projects. These are expected to earn rate-based growth at PG&E." In view of this report, it is reasonable to expect that PG&E will undertake similar projects in Santa Cruz County and within its service area.
13) How many steel power poles does PG&E plan to install, and how tall are they?
Existing 40- to 60-foot wooden poles would be replaced with 79 to 86 tubular steel poles ranging in height from 86 to 105 feet tall – taller than a 10-story building. These poles will carry six transmission lines in place of the three lines now used. All of the existing 39-foot tall wooden poles on sections of Cox Road and Freedom Blvd. would be replaced by 89-foot poles – an increase of 50 feet.
Existing 40- to 60-foot wooden poles would be replaced with 79 to 86 tubular steel poles ranging in height from 86 to 105 feet tall – taller than a 10-story building. These poles will carry six transmission lines in place of the three lines now used. All of the existing 39-foot tall wooden poles on sections of Cox Road and Freedom Blvd. would be replaced by 89-foot poles – an increase of 50 feet.
14) How will PG&E install these poles?
Many will be installed using cargo helicopters to fly the poles over homes, schools, and churches. PG&E has proposed to construct four helicopter landing zones – two in an apple orchard in Pleasant Valley, one in a field in Corralitos, and one near Pinto Lake Park. PG&E has stated that construction will occur six days per week for 10 hours per day (7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), and "occasionally during evening hours and on Sundays" for up to 18 months.
Many will be installed using cargo helicopters to fly the poles over homes, schools, and churches. PG&E has proposed to construct four helicopter landing zones – two in an apple orchard in Pleasant Valley, one in a field in Corralitos, and one near Pinto Lake Park. PG&E has stated that construction will occur six days per week for 10 hours per day (7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), and "occasionally during evening hours and on Sundays" for up to 18 months.
15) What will be the impact on the environment of this proposed project?
PG&E has stated that approximately 150 mature trees will be destroyed. This number only includes trees with trunks more than 12 inches in diameter, so the actual number of trees to be removed will be much larger. An area 30 feet by 15 feet around the base of every pole will be permanently cleared of all vegetation. This loss of trees and vegetation will harm the ecosystem and the natural beauty of the community.
The steel poles require deep foundations, which will be excavated and filled with concrete. The Central Water District, which supplies many customers in the area, has expressed concerns that the water mains will not be able withstand this construction. Organic farms in the path of the project could lose their organic certification.
PG&E has stated that approximately 150 mature trees will be destroyed. This number only includes trees with trunks more than 12 inches in diameter, so the actual number of trees to be removed will be much larger. An area 30 feet by 15 feet around the base of every pole will be permanently cleared of all vegetation. This loss of trees and vegetation will harm the ecosystem and the natural beauty of the community.
The steel poles require deep foundations, which will be excavated and filled with concrete. The Central Water District, which supplies many customers in the area, has expressed concerns that the water mains will not be able withstand this construction. Organic farms in the path of the project could lose their organic certification.
16) Why doesn't Santa Cruz County have jurisdiction over this project?
As a state-regulated utility, PG&E is exempt from the review and approval process by local officials. The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is essentially powerless in this decision, even if it conflicts with zoning regulations and the County General Plan.
The final decision will be made by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which is headed by five non-elected commissioners. The Governor appoints the commissioners, who must be confirmed by the Senate, for six-year terms. Citizens can send comments to the CPUC and testify in public hearings to voice their concerns about PG&E's proposal.
As a state-regulated utility, PG&E is exempt from the review and approval process by local officials. The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is essentially powerless in this decision, even if it conflicts with zoning regulations and the County General Plan.
The final decision will be made by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which is headed by five non-elected commissioners. The Governor appoints the commissioners, who must be confirmed by the Senate, for six-year terms. Citizens can send comments to the CPUC and testify in public hearings to voice their concerns about PG&E's proposal.
17) Why is this project necessary?
That is the unanswered question. PG&E claims that it will improve the reliability of the power system, but has offered no data or evidence to support this assertion.
Community members and businesses have asked PG&E to justify and provide the rationale for this project in an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). A Draft EIR is expected be released in September 2014. They have also asked PG&E and the California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates privately owned utilities, to consider alternative solutions that would be less harmful to the environment.
These could include alternate routes, underground cables, energy conservation, solar power, upgrading existing lines, and many other options. The CPUC could also determine that the project is unnecessary to meet system reliability standards and order PG&E to abandon the plan.
That is the unanswered question. PG&E claims that it will improve the reliability of the power system, but has offered no data or evidence to support this assertion.
Community members and businesses have asked PG&E to justify and provide the rationale for this project in an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). A Draft EIR is expected be released in September 2014. They have also asked PG&E and the California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates privately owned utilities, to consider alternative solutions that would be less harmful to the environment.
These could include alternate routes, underground cables, energy conservation, solar power, upgrading existing lines, and many other options. The CPUC could also determine that the project is unnecessary to meet system reliability standards and order PG&E to abandon the plan.
18) What is a kilovolt?
One kilovolt (abbreviated as kV) is equal to 1,000 volts. Thus the "Santa Cruz 115 kV Reinforcement Project" will have transmission lines carrying 115,000 volts. For comparison, normal household current is 110 volts.
One kilovolt (abbreviated as kV) is equal to 1,000 volts. Thus the "Santa Cruz 115 kV Reinforcement Project" will have transmission lines carrying 115,000 volts. For comparison, normal household current is 110 volts.
19) How much will the Santa Cruz 115 kV Reinforcement Project cost, and who will pay for it?
As part of the PG&E statewide transmission system, the cost of this project will be shared by all PG&E ratepayers (customers). The project was initially estimated at $15 million, but the actual cost will not be known until the specifications are finalized.
As part of the PG&E statewide transmission system, the cost of this project will be shared by all PG&E ratepayers (customers). The project was initially estimated at $15 million, but the actual cost will not be known until the specifications are finalized.