Santa Cruz 115kV Reinforcement Project Sequence of Events
NOPOC Corralitos Community Meeting
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April 28, 2015
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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
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March 30, 2015
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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
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March 26, 2015
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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
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March 16, 2015
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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
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February 9, 2015
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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
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January 27, 2015
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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
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December 17, 2014
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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
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December 12, 2014
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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
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December 12, 2014
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PG&E files its Prehearing Conference Statement
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December 10, 2014
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As instructed by Administrative Law Judge Mason, PG&E files its prehearing Conference Statement with the CPUC.
NOPOC files its Prehearing Conference Statement
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December 10, 2014
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As instructed by Administrative Law Judge Mason, NOPOC files its prehearing Conference Statement with the CPUC.
CPUC advises that Draft EIR is on hold
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November 5, 2014
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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
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October 28, 2014
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CPUC Administrative Law Judge Mason calls for a second prehearing conference on December 12, 2014 @ 2:00pm.
NOPOC Power Engineer releases report
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October 27, 2014
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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
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October 23, 2014
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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
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October 22, 2014
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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
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October 2-6, 2014
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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
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September 25, 2014
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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
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September 9, 2014
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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)
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August 26, 2014
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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
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August 6, 2014
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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
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July 31, 2014
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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)
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July 16, 2014
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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, 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
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June 9, 2014
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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
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May 28, 2014
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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
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March 5, 2014
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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
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March 3, 2014
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In order to assist NOPOC a2i accounting services is retained.
NOPOC opens official bank account and transfers funds from Neighbors Shocked by PG&E
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March 1, 2014
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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)
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February 24, 2014
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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).
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
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February 18, 2014
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NOPOC Community Meeting
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February 10, 2014
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A community meeting is held to garner support and contributions for legal and expert (Power Engineer) costs.
NOPOC is formed
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February 1, 2014
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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
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January 29, 2014
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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
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January 17, 2014
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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
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December 6, 2013
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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
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November 28, 2013
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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
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November 26, 2013
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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
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November 23, 2013
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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
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November 6, 2013
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A public meeting is held in Corralitos to accept verbal comments on the IS/MND.
Neighbors Shocked by PG&E is formed
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November 1, 2013
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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)
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October 18, 2013
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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
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June 11, 2013
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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.
This turns out to have been a crucial step in allowing the formation of NOPOC later on.
Neighbors begin to take notice
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June 1, 2012
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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
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April 24, 2012
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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
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March 8, 2012
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PG&E sends second mailing to property owners within 300ft of the proposed project
First Mailing to Property Owners
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February 3, 2012
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PG&E sends first mailing to property owners within 300ft of the proposed project
Application is filed
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January 25, 2012
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PG&E files the application for the Permit To Construct (PTC) with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA)
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January 2012
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PG&E submitted a Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA) to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
CPUC Freedome Open House
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October 27, 2011
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Public meeting about this project in Freedom
CPUC Corralitos Open House
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October 25, 2011
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Public meeting about this project in Corralitos