HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - January 6, 1988 (77)COUNCIL C0MMUNICAI_0N
TO _ 0.
FROM: THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE January 6, 1988
SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC CONCERNING A DZAFT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REVIEW/ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Or THE PROPOSED 230 -KV
ELECTRIC INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN THE CTIY OF LODI AND THE WESTERN AREA POWER
ADMIKISTRATION (WESTERN)
PREPARED BY: City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council hear the initial presentation of
the draft E.I.R./Environmental Assessment on the
proposed interconnection project involving the City
of Lodi and the kestern Area Power Administration
(WAPA) and set the matter for public hearing at the regular meeting of
Wednesday, February 17, 1988.
BACKGROUND INFORMATTON: While advertised as a public
hearing, this is actually
more appropriately an
"Administrative
Hearing"
scheduled for the purpose
of providing a
forum for
the initial public presentation
of the drift
E.I.R.
document associated
with the proposed 230 -KV
interconnectios
project.
Representatives of
Power Engineers Incorporated,
the f i rm the
City has
retained to engineer
this project, will be in attendance.
They will
present
the document and answer questions, and they will be
equipped with visual aids
and handouts.
This should be viewed as an information item, with
the actual decision coming at some time after the recommended public hearing
to be held February 17.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas A. Peterson
City Manager
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEAPM
TO RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
CONCERNING A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REVIEW/ENVTPCNMENTAL
ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPOSED 230 -KV ELECTRIC INTERCONNECTION
BETWEEN THE CITY OF LODI AND THE WESTERN AREA POhlER ADMINISTRATION (WESTERN)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN thct on Wednesday, January 5, 1.988 at the hour of 7:30
p.m., cr as soon thereafter as the matters may be heard, the Lodi City Council
will conduct a public hearing to receive i-omments from the public concerning a
draft Environmental Impact Review/Enviro; -Intal Assessment of the proposed
230 -KV electric interconnection between the City of Lodi and the Western Area
Power Administration (WESTERN). This interconnection would provide a method to
provide for the growing electrical demands of the community and contribute to
stabilization of rates. The proposed project would consist of an
interconnection with a WESTERN line west of Lodi between Thornton Road and 1-5;
approximately five miles of double circuit 230-kv transmission line on single
steel poles spaced approximately 1,200 feet apart; and a new substation.
Information regarding this item may be obtained in the office of the Community
Development Director at 221 West Pine Street, Lodi, California. All interested
persons are invited to present their views and comments on this matter.
Written statements may be filed with the City Clerk at any time prior to the
hearing scheduled herein and oral statements may be made at said hearing.
If you challenge the subject matter in court you may be limited to raising only
those issues you or someone else raised at the Public Hearing described in this
notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City Clerk, 221 West Pine
Street, Lodi, California, at or prior to, the Public Hearing.
By Order Of the Lodi City Council :
Alice M. Reimche
City Clerk
Dated: December 2, 1987
,roved as to form:
Ronald M. Stein
City Attorney
CITY OF LODI
D IR ECT INTERCONNECTI ON PROJECT
GENERALSUMMARY ..
Infrnrliinfinn
The City of Lodi, through its membership in the Northern California Power
Agency (NCPA), is proposing to construct an electrical transmission line direct
interconnection with Western Area Power Administration's (WESTERN)
existing transmission line system. The proposal, if approved and implemented,
would consist of a double circuit 230kV, single steel pole line and a 230kV-6OkV
substation. The Project will be financed entirely by the City of Lodi. Because of
indirect federal participation in the project via WESTERN, a joint Environmental
Assessment/Environmental Impact Report is being prepared pursuant to the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA); (40 CFR Part 1500, Sec. 102(2), and CA PRC Sec. 21000). That
docurnent will be available in draft form to the public about mid-lanuary. If the
City decides to proceed with the project after receiving environmental
clearance, construction of project facilities could begin in December 1988.
Purooseand Need
Construction of the direct Interconnection Projectwith WESTERN would allow
the City to meet its long range electric service cost, capacity and reliability goals
by:
1. Minimizing the long-term cost of service to the City's electric customers,
through rate stabilization, by reducing transmission service charges.
2. Enabling the City to purchas? power on a direct basis from the lowest cost
availablesource.
Providing additional firm, reliable transmission capacity to serve new
consumers, particularly for anticipated industrial growth.
60L:(12/87)FR.ss
1
Alternatives
The assessment of the proposed action considers four alternative actions:
A. No Action
B. Energy Conservation
C. Alternative Technologies
D. The Proposed Action with Routing and Siting Alternatives
No Action
By maintaining the status quo, the City would continue with its connection to
the PG&E system.
No action would preclude the City from providing the project's benefits to the
City's rate payers, and is therefore not considered a viable alternative action for
meeting the stated need.
Enerav Conservation
The City Electric Utility Department has instituted a variety of energy
conservation programs. However, the City's purpose as stated is not to reduce
energy consumption through the proposed action, but to provide electric
service for a growing population. Because energy conservation can help reduce
energy demand but not provide a transfer path for electric power, conservation
cannot be considered as an alternative action for meeting the project purpose.
Alternative Technoloaies
e
Available technologies for meeting increased demand would include the
installation of City -owned thermal generation within, or immediately adjacent
to the city. The high capital investment and environmental quality costs, aswell
as the inherent increase in cost to rate payers, combine to preclude this option
60L i'2W)FR:ss 2
from consideration.
An additional alternate technology to be considered is that of undergrouna
construction. The basic cost of undergrounding a 230kV line would be at least
four to ten times the cost of building an overhead line. Underground lines
remain vulnerable to leaks, dig -ins, washouts, seismic events and cooling -
system failures. These complications can result in service outages tasting days or
weeks. rather than the hours usually required to locate and correct overhead
failures. Outages of longduration would beunacceptable forthe City.
Considering the technical complications, economic considerations and
environmental impacts, and accessibility requirements, an underground
transmission system --either in part or in total --is not a viable alternative for the
proposed action.
The Pr000sed Action with Routing and Siting Alternatives
Based upon preliminary evaluations, it appears the City's interests would best
be served by constructing and operating a double circuit 230kV overhead
transmission line. The tine could originate at a point of interconnection with a
WESTERN line located approximately five mileswest of Lodi. Alternative points
of interconnection exist adjacent to Thornton Road between Highway 12 and
Turner Road. From the point of interconnection the line would extend easterly
approximately five miles to a new substation.
If this plan were ultimately selected, the double circuit transmission line would
effectively form an electrical loop from WESTERN through City facilities and
back to WESTERN. (See sketch on next page)
-IN
New 230-60kV 60kV to City Facilities
4*--- Substation
Return C'irr►iit to
Two alternative points of WESTERN interconnection were identified, those
being:
IC -1 is located just eaNt of Thornton Road on the south side of Turner Road. IC -2
is approximately three-quarters of a mile north of Highway 12 between 1-5 and
Thornton Road.
New substation facilities would be required to provide step-down
transformation ofthe 230kV to 60kV. The City currently accepts power delivery
at 60kV; therefore, modifications to existing substation facilities would be
minor, or not be required.
Three alternative substation sites, each requiring approximately four acres,
were considered: SS -1, a site at the southwest corner of Highway 12 and Lower
Sacramento Road, SS -2, on the southeast corner of this intersection; and SS -3, a
site adjacent to the west side of the Henning Substation. All three sites are
presently outside the Lodi City Limits and are zoned GA -40. The proposed
substation represents a permitted use within this zoning designation as
described inthe Planning Code of San Joaquin County.
Transmission line routing alternatives were considered based upon their ability
to satisfy the project purpose and need, and the City's routing criteria as
follows:
• Avoid excessive impacts upon agricultural lands.
• Utilize existing access.
• Minimize routing through areas of general residential and commercial
development.
® Avoid areas representing engineering hazards or requiring costly design
measures.
a Minimize the line length
• Avoid areas of critical environmental concern.
Three primary routing alternatives have so far been identified. These routes are
Turner Road Alternative, Sargent Road Alternative, and Highway 12(Kettleman
Lane) Alternative. In addition to the major alternative routes, several cross link
routesare being examined that would serve as alternative north -south running
segments to connectthe east -west running segments.
Alternative cross links under examination are as follows: Western Pacific
Railroad alignment; Davis Road; and Lower Sacramento Road.
Anadd•tlCn3i alternative !s +;.i��ur rn.�c?�iora*:�.� 01;4t.._... nr�,„�o
reliability to the WESTERN system in the event the City's proposed 230kV line
experienced an outage. Two separate scenarios are possible for addressing this
alternative:
• Using any combination of route alternatives, construct a single circuit loop,
separating the incoming source circuit from the return circuit on two
individual sets of poles.
• Build a 230-60kV substation at the point of interconnection, and construct
three 60kV lines to the City's existing 60kV transmission system.
A typical transmission line structure consists of a single tubular steel pole
approximately 100 feet in height above ground line and about four feet in
diameter a t the base. Davit arms, approximately twelve feet long on each side
of the pole would support the conductors. Typical spacing between structures
would be 900 to 1,200 feet.
A fifty foot wide right of way on private land would be required to
accommodate the transmission tine with an additional twenty foot overhang
easement required from CALTRANS. The total amount of private land required
for the preferred route right of way would be approximately 33 acres. The
right of way wouid be acquired by the City as an easement. Negotiations with
landowners for easement rights would be conducted according to the
California Uniform Relocation and Property Acquisition Act. Landowners
would be compensated for the easement un a basis of fair market land value.
While many uses are allowed within transmission line easements, certain
restrictions are imposed. These would primarily concern the erection of
structures within the easement, or the conduct of activities that might pose a
safety hazard or impedethe operation and maintenance of the line.
The City of Lodi is committed in so far as possible to avoiding structure
placement in front of any residential or commercial dwelling. The desires of the
local landowners and residents will be considered when making those
placement decisions.
Engineers /ncor,, RICO'
December 2,1987
City of Lodi
227 West Pine Street
todi, CA 95211-1910
Parcel Ivo.: 053-140-53
To whom it may concern:
RECEIVED
DEC 21 198;
utility 13*pt.
On behalf of the City of Lodi Electric Utility Department, we wish to inform you of
the City's proposal to construct a new power transmission line. The City presently
purchases power from a major area utility and wheels power over that utility's
transmission lines to City facilities. in their planning to provide for the growing
electrical demands of the community, and to stabilize rates, the City has determined
itto be in the best interest of its electric consumers to provide alternative sources of
power. One such source would interconnect City facilities with those of the
Western Area Power Administration, (WESTERN) an agency of the U.S. Department
of Energy. The proposed project would consist of an interconnection with a
WESTERN line west of Lodi between Thornton Road and 1-5; approximately five
miles of double circuit 230kV transmission line on single steel poles spaced
approximately 1200 feet apart; and anew substation.
POWER Engineers, Inc. (POWER) has been contracted by the City to conduct
environmental studies, project engineering and design, and right of way
assessment. We are currently developing an environmental report which will assess
the project's impacts relative to existing and planned land uses, natural resources,
economic considerations, and design requirements. Various routing and siting
aiternatives are being considered to properly evaluate the action of least impact
while fulfilling the City's need for additional electrical capacity. At this time our
preferred alternative would extend from the point of interconnection along the
east side of Thornton Road to Kettleman Lane. From the Kettleman Lane/Thornton
Road intersection, the route would traverse the north side of Kettleman Lane to just
east of Ray Road, at which point it would cross to the south side of Kettleman Lane.
Continuing east, the route would terminate at a new substation to be constructed
on either the southeast or southwest corner of Lower Sacramento Road and
Kettleman Lane. From that substation a new 60kV line would extend along the
north side of Kettleman Lane to the City's Henning Substation, a distance of
approximately eight -tenths of a mile. The proposed tra.nsmissi,on ,gine,,
approximately five mites in length, would require a one hundred foot" -wide-
` ig" of V
way. The substation would require approximately a five acre site.
The San Joaquin County records indicate that you own property which may be
affected by the preferred alternative. So that you have an opportunity to learn
more about the proposed project, and to provide us with your comments, we
encourage you to attend a pudic hearing on Wednesday, January 6, 1988. The
hearing will be held in the Lodi City Council Chambers, Lodi City Hall, 221 West Pine
Street at 7:30 p.m.
I 1020 Airport Way + P.O. Box 1066 • Hailey, Idaho 83333 • (208)788-3456 '
December 2,1987
Page Two
Again, because we consider the comments received by project area landowners to
be invaluable to the decision-making process, we encourage you to either
personally attend the public hearing, or send a written statement to be read into
the hearing record. Written statements should be sent to: POWER Engineers, Inc.
P.O. Box 1066, Haifey, ID 83333, Attention: Frank Rowland.
Should you have questions prior to the public hearing, please contact the
undersigned collect at (208)788-3456.
FR:ss
cc: File
Sincerely,
POWER Enqineers, lncorperated
a r
/Frank Rowland
Land Services Manager
C
(3 7- ifflN M �
M E M O R A N D U M
T0: Honorable Mayor and
Members of the City Council
ROM: City Manager
DATE: December 30, 1987
SUBJ : Draft E. I .R. and Environniental Assessment for
Direct Interconnection Project
Attached for the City Council's information and review is a copy of the draft
E. 1. R. document on the proposed 230 -KV interconnection project. Staff is still
in the process of conducting its administrative review of this report. To
minimize confusion and the possibility of premature conclusions, this document
should not be made public until it is presented at Wednesday night's City
Council meeting. Representatives of Power Engineers Incorporated, the firm the
City has hire to do the engineering on this project, will be in attendance
Wednesday night to present this report. They will have visual aids and
handouts for the Council and the public.
Wednesday night's meeting will serve as the initial public presentation of this
and the terminology should be that of "Administrative Hearing" rather than
"Public Hearing." Property owners wi-o might be affected by this project have
been notified by mail cf this meeting and invited to attend. At the conclusion
of this presentation, it is recommended that Council set this matter for public
hearing at the regular meeting of February 17, 1988. While the public will, of
course, be welcome to comment, this should not be considered a public hearing
in its purest form in that the City Council will not be hearing testimony from
opposing sides and then rendering a decision. The February 17 public hearing
date will provide the public with a six-week review period.
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