Santa Cruz 115kV Reinforcement Project Sequence of Events

NOPOC Corralitos Community Meeting
April 28, 2015
To better inform the public of the CPUC ruling and to explain the implications to the community, NOPOC holds a public meeting at the Corralitos Grange Hall.
NOPOC issues News Release #7
March 30, 2015
News release #7 Public Utilities Commission Dismisses Application for PG&E Power Line Project - Commissioners Vote to Dismiss Controversial Santa Cruz Project After PG&E Agrees Project is Not Needed in Next 10 Years
CPUC grants Motion to Dismiss
March 26, 2015
CPUC, by unanimous vote, grants Pacific Gas And Electric Company’s Motion To Dismiss Application For A Permit To Construct Without Prejudice the Santa Cruz 115 Kilovolt Reinforcement Project. Application 12-01-012 is closed.
ALJ Mason issues Proposed Decision
March 16, 2015
Administrative Law Judge Mason issued the Proposed Decision Granting Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Motion To Dismiss, without prejudice, the Application for a Permit to Construct the project.  This proposed decision is placed on the consent agenda for the CPUC Voting Meeting of March 26, 2015.
PG&E files Motion to Dismiss Application without Prejudice
February 9, 2015
As instructed by ALJ Mason PG&E files a motion to dismiss the application for the permit to construct the project.  PG&E requested that this motion be filed jointly with NOPOC, however, while NOPOC and the other parties agreed with the motion to dismiss we did not agree with the statements made in the background section.
ALJ Mason files e-mail ruling
January 27, 2015
Administrative Law Judge files an e-mail ruling Ordering Pacific Gas and Electric Company to prepare a Motion to Dismiss without prejudice  Application for the Permit to Construct the Santa Cruz 115kv Reinforcement Project
CAISO releases statement
December 17, 2014
CAISO release a letter determining that the Project “is not needed within the 10-year planning horizon, and therefore has approved cancellation of this Project."
ALJ Ruling on the Prehearing Conference
December 12, 2014
Administrative Law Judge Mason rules that "G&E shall notify me and the parties regarding the results of the CAISO reassessment, as well as PG&E’s determination as to whether it intends to pursue this proceeding, by January 16, 2015."
Prehearing Conference at CPUC
December 12, 2014
PG&E files its Prehearing Conference Statement
December 10, 2014
As instructed by Administrative Law Judge Mason, PG&E files its prehearing Conference Statement with the CPUC.
NOPOC files its Prehearing Conference Statement
December 10, 2014
As instructed by Administrative Law Judge Mason, NOPOC files its prehearing Conference Statement with the CPUC.
CPUC advises that Draft EIR is on hold
November 5, 2014
CPUC advises all parties that the release of the Draft EIR is on hold pending the assigned law judge's Ruling Setting Further Prehearing Conference scheduled for December 12, 2014 @ 2:00pm.
ALJ Mason calls for a Prehearing Conference
October 28, 2014
CPUC Administrative Law Judge Mason calls for a second prehearing conference on December 12, 2014 @ 2:00pm. 
NOPOC Power Engineer releases report
October 27, 2014
Jaleh Firooz of Advanced Energy Solutions releases report "Analysis of Pacific Gas & Electric Santa Cruz 115kV Reinforcement Project Application (A. 12-01-012)" indicating the project is not necessary.
PG&E ex-parte communication to the CPUC
October 23, 2014
PG&E releases content of an ex-parte communication it had with the CPUC in which PG&E stated that "PG&E has preliminarily determined that while the Project is still needed, it may not be needed in the next 5 years. A 10-year horizon is more likely, but depends on actual load growth."
PG&E ex-parte communication to the CPUC
October 22, 2014
PG&E releases content of an ex-parte communication it had with the CPUC in which "Mr. Fogelson (PG&E legal council) communicated that PG&E will request that the Santa Cruz 115kv Reinforcement project be reevaluated by the CAISO and that PG&E's disposition of the pending CPUC application will depend on the results of the CAISO reevaluation."
Heat wave brings 100+ degree temperatures to Santa Cruz County
October 2-6, 2014
During this "1 in 10 year event" Energy use in Santa Cruz County if below PG&E's peak forecast.  This forecast was one of the pillars for PG&E's argument for the need for the project.
NOPOC Data Request #3
September 25, 2014
NOPOC's Power Engineer files Data Request #3 on behalf of NOPOC requesting "Please indicate why PG&E believes that this particular results provided by PG&E show the need for the Santa Cruz Reinforcement Project prior to the year 2012?"
ALJ Mason grants NOPOC's Motion for party status
September 9, 2014
NOPOC's recognition as a party in this proceeding allows for NOPOC to participate in hearings and to gain access to the CPUC process as well as to file official Data Requests as part of the EIR preparation.
NOPOC is recognized by the IRS as a non profit association under tax code 501(c)(4)
August 26, 2014
NOPOC receives a letter from the IRS affirming that the IRS recognizes it as non profit association under tax code 501(c)(4). 
NOPOC Watsonville Community Meeting
August 6, 2014
In order to inform the community of the devastating impacts of this project and to illustrate the need for contributions NOPOC holds a community meeting at Shapiro Knowles in Watsonville.  This meeting was particularly important since this area would be heavily affected and yet has not been well informed by PG&E and the CPUC.  In order to best reach this mostly hispanic community NOPOC provided for an official Spanish translator to be present.
NOPOC files Motion for Party Status
July 31, 2014
On the advice of our legal council NOPOC files a motion with the Administrative Law Judge for the CPUC to considered a party in the proceedings.
NOPOC applies to be recognized as a non profit association by the IRS under tax code 501(c)(4)
July 16, 2014
As a legitimate community organization and to better utilize online tools such as PayPal NOPOC files to be recognized as a non profit association by the IRS under tax code 501(c)(3).  
NOPOC, as most other community organizations, does not qualify as 501(c)(3) which is a status reserved for charitable groups such as churches etc.  as a result while NOPOC gains tax exempt status by being recognized as a 501(c)(4), which means NOPOC does not pay income taxes on contributions it receives, contributions to 501(c)(4) organizations generally are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.  Of course, this is in no way tax advice and any association or contributor should consult with its tax advisor.
NOPOC Corralitos Community Meeting 
June 9, 2014
In order to inform the community of the devastating impacts of this project and to illustrate the need for contributions NOPOC holds a community meeting at Corralitos Cultural Center
NOPOC Aptos Community Meeting
May 28, 2014
In order to inform the community of the devastating impacts of this project and to illustrate the need for contributions NOPOC holds a community meeting at the Aptos Library. 
NOPOC retains Engineering Consultant
March 5, 2014
In order to better understand PG&E's data being used to justify the project NOPOC retained the services of Jaleh Firooz of Advanced Energy Solutions.  Ms. Firooz has 20 years experience in the power industry, of late she has been doing independent analysis of power projects throughout the state. 
NOPOC retains a bookkeeper
March 3, 2014
In order to assist NOPOC a2i accounting services is retained.
NOPOC opens official bank account and transfers funds from Neighbors Shocked by PG&E
March 1, 2014
In order to provide transparent tracking of contributions and expenses an official bank account is opened in the name of NOPOC.
NOPOC obtains an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
February 24, 2014
To facilitate with official transactions such as banking and dealing with the IRS NOPOC applies for and obtains an Employer Identification Number (EIN).  
Note: This proves to be instrumental later on when we need to apply with the IRS to be recognized as a non-profit association under tax code 501(c)(4). 
30-day public comment period for scoping of the EIR ends
February 18, 2014
NOPOC Community Meeting
February 10, 2014
A community meeting is held to garner support and contributions for legal and expert (Power Engineer) costs.
NOPOC is formed
February 1, 2014
Based on Neighbors Shocked by PG&E and because of a need to have a more formal presence the loose group of neighbors becomes the unincorporated association 'Neighbors Organized to Protect Our Community' (NOPOC).  On advice of coincil NOPOC begins searching for an independent power engineer to retain for expert advice.
CPUC holds a Public Scoping Meeting in Corralitos
January 29, 2014
As mandated by CPUC regulations a meeting is held to get input from the community as to the scope of the EIR.
CPUC determines that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) should be prepared
January 17, 2014
Because of the overwhelming public outcry to the proposed project requesting a full EIR be performed the CPUC determines that one is needed.  This determination officially starts the 30-day public comment period for the scoping of the EIR
45-day public comment period to the IS/MND ends
December 6, 2013
NOPOC would later find out that over 500 letters were received by the CPUC during this comment period.
Neighbors Shocked by PG&E goes door-to-door in affected areas
November 28, 2013
To ensure that all property owners and residents know of potential impact of the proposed project, and have a chance to participate in the CPUC process members of Neighbors Shocked by PG&E go door-to-door with information sheets and sample letters. 
Neighbors Shocked by PG&E hold second meeting at the Aptos Library
November 26, 2013
In order or garner community support and affect change to the project property owners and residents are encourage to send written public comments to the CPUC requesting that a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) be done for this project. 
Neighbors Shocked by PG&E hold first meeting at the Aptos Library
November 23, 2013
In order or garner community support and affect change to the project property owners and residents are encourage to send written public comments to the CPUC requesting that a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) be done for this project.  In addition to informing the public a plea for contributions is made to help pay for lecal costs. 
CPUC holds Public Meeting to accept comments on the IS/MND 
November 6, 2013
A public meeting is held in Corralitos to accept verbal comments on the IS/MND.
Neighbors Shocked by PG&E is formed 
November 1, 2013
A small group of neighbors ban together to hier legal council and to better understand the process and what role the public can play in it.  This group is what would later become Neighbors Organized to Protect Our Community (NOPOC)
CPUC releases Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) 
October 18, 2013
The release of the IS/MND officially starts the 30-day public comment period which gets immediately extended to a 45-day public comment period.
Prehearing Conference 
June 11, 2013
Administrative Law Judge calls a prehearing conference.  Some neighbors attend and by request become 'parties' to the proceedings. 
This turns out to have been a crucial step in allowing the formation of NOPOC later on.
Neighbors begin to take notice 
June 1, 2012
A hand full of neighbors begin to understand the potential effects of this proposed project and start getting involved by participating in the upcoming prehearing conference. 
PG&E's Application Deemed Complete 
April 24, 2012
The CPUC finds that the Application and PEA contain sufficient information to satisfy the requirements of the Commission's Information and Criteria List and accordingly deems this Application complete. 
Second Mailing to Property Owners
March 8, 2012
PG&E sends second mailing to property owners within 300ft of the proposed project 
First Mailing to Property Owners
February 3, 2012
PG&E sends first mailing to property owners within 300ft of the proposed project 
Application is filed
January 25, 2012
PG&E files the application for the Permit To Construct (PTC) with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) 
Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA) 
January 2012
PG&E submitted a Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA) to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) 
CPUC Freedome Open House
October 27, 2011
Public meeting about this project in Freedom 
CPUC Corralitos Open House
October 25, 2011
Public meeting about this project in Corralitos