As summarized on the website for the proposed Colusa-Sutter Transmission Line Project ("CoSu Line Project"):
Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) are studying the potential to build a new 500-kilovolt transmission line. The proposed Colusa-Sutter Transmission Line (CoSu Line) would provide a new link between the COTP and SMUD and WAPA's facilities on the east side of the Sacramento Valley. The proposed project would enhance the reliability of the electrical grid in Northern California and increase SMUD's ability to import power from the Pacific Northwest and export power from the Sacramento area.
As the project website also describes, the planning and environmental review process for the project recently evolved to include a potential alignment in Yolo County, in addition to three alignments already under consideration in Colusa and Sutter counties:
From December 2015 through April 2016, WAPA and SMUD conducted public scoping for a joint Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) to consider alternatives to and environmental impacts of the CoSu Line in portions of Colusa and Sutter counties. Based on the comments received during that process, WAPA and SMUD are adding an additional study area approximately 20 miles south of the study areas originally scoped and refining the previously-scoped study areas. This additional public scoping period will include all study areas previously scoped, slight additions to the previously identified study areas, and a new study area that would connect to the COTP in Yolo County and would terminate near the Elverta Substation in northwestern Sacramento County.
The original study areas north of Yolo County are shown on page 1 of Attachment B, and the Yolo County study area is shown on page 2. The project website describes the Yolo County study area as follows:
The County Road 16 Corridor Study Area is approximately 27 miles long and would connect to the existing COTP transmission line approximately eight miles west of the community of Dufour in Yolo County, and proceed east towards the existing Elverta Substation in Sacramento County. Two new substations would be built one adjacent to the existing COTP transmission line northwest of Dufour, and another adjacent to the Elverta Substation.
The scoping period announced in the Notice of Preparation for the Yolo County study area runs through March 21, 2017. The attached comment letter identifies initial issues of County concern and request their consideration in the Joint EIR/EIS. A public review draft of the Joint EIR/EIS is scheduled for release in early to mid-2019. Staff expect the Joint EIR/EIS to identify a "preferred" alignment from the four alignments presently under consideration, and the County will likely provide substantial comments on the Draft EIR/EIS following its release.
Lastly, because SMUD has a role in the siting decision for the final project, the Office of the County Counsel has concluded that SMUD must submit the project to Yolo County for review and approval or disapproval pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 12808.5. Subsection (c) of Section 12808.5 provides for the following local review process:
The [local] legislative bodies shall conduct a public hearing, receive evidence, and, within 60 days, adopt a resolution approving, approving an alternative, or disapproving, the proposed facilities.
Any resolution adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall contain findings concerning:
(1) The consistency of the proposed facilities with the local agency's general plan and applicable redevelopment and specific plans.
(2) Whether there are feasible alternatives to the proposal.
(3) Such other factors related to the public health, safety and welfare as are included within the ordinance adopted by the local agency pursuant to subdivision (e) of this section.
Failure of a legislative body to render a decision within 60 days shall be deemed to constitute an approval of the proposed facilities.
Consequently, staff expect this Project to eventually (likely in 2020) be submitted for consideration by the Board of Supervisors under Section 12808.5 unless SMUD can demonstrate that the local review process is inapplicable due to the the participation of a federal agency partner (WAPA) or for other reasons.
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