HomeMy WebLinkAbout8 CEQA Substation Rebuild Agenda Item it
TRUCKEE , ,
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Joe Horvath, Electric System Engineer
Date: November 28, 2007
Subject: CEQA Initial Study for Substation Rebuild and Distribution Feeder Projects
1. WHY THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE BOARD
Board authorization is required to approve the CEQA Initial Study/Mitigated Negative
Declaration and direct that it be circulated.
Objectives:
2. Provide an adequate, reliable and high quality electric supply and distribution system
to meet current and future needs.
Goals:
2.2 Maintain and implement an Electric System Master Plan, including the required
facilities to meet the current and future demand and reliable supply.
2.3 Provide effective and efficient maintenance and replacement programs.
2. HISTORY
On August 15, the Board approved a contract with Inland Ecosystems to prepare an Initial Study
associated with the CEQA review of the Electric Department's proposed capital improvement
projects. These projects include three major components:
• The complete rebuild of the Donner Lake Substation;
• Installation of 12,000 feet of new distribution feeder to be under built on an existing
transmission line that connects Donner Lake and Tahoe Donner Substations and;
• The replacement of high voltage fuses with a circuit switcher and associated relay
protection at the Tahoe Donner Substation.
3. NEW INFORMATION
The CEQA Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration has been completed and is ready for
circulation, review and public comment. The current CEQA schedule is given below:
December 5, 2007 — Board Approval of CEQA Initial Study
December 19, 2007 — Public Hearing on CEQA Initial Study
January 16, 2008 —Adoption of Final CEQA Document
4. SOURCE OF FUNDING
The source of funding for the Donner Lake Substation Rebuild and the new Donner Lake Circuit
No. 3 feeder is Facilities Fees as these are approved Electric System Master Plan Projects. The
source of funding for the Tahoe Donner Substation Upgrade is Rates.
5. RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the Board:
a) Authorize staff to file the proposed mitigated negative declaration and
environmental initial study with the Office of the Nevada County Clerk
b) Authorize staff to file the proposed mitigated negative declaration and
environmental study with responsible and interested agencies and with the State
Clearinghouse
c) Authorizing staff to publish a notice of public review period and public hearing on
the proposed mitigated negative declaration.
d) Authorizing staff to set a public hearing date of December 19, 2007
S ve Holla augh, Electr' Utility Manager oh Ulrich, Interim GM
Attachment
CEQA Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration