Chapter 4.3Designation of Transmission Corridors

Section § 25330

Explanation

This section defines important terms used in the chapter it belongs to. "Feasible" is given the same meaning as another law (Section 21061.1). It clarifies that a "high-voltage electric transmission line" is one that carries 200 kilovolts or more, or is managed by the California Independent System Operator. The term "transmission corridor zone" is described as an area where high-voltage lines can be built and operated, usually less than 1,500 feet wide unless special circumstances necessitate a wider area, such as existing land uses or environmental concerns.

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 25330(a) “Feasible” has the same meaning as in Section 21061.1.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 25330(b) “High-voltage electric transmission line” means an electric transmission line with an operating capacity of at least 200 kilovolts, or that is under the operational control of the California Independent System Operator.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 25330(c) “Transmission corridor zone” means the geographic area necessary to accommodate the construction and operation of one or more high-voltage electric transmission lines. A transmission corridor zone shall not be more than 1,500 feet in width unless required to accommodate existing land uses and land uses identified in local general or specific plans, or to avoid environmental constraints or mitigate potential environmental impacts.
high-voltage electric transmission line operating capacity kilovolts California Independent System Operator transmission corridor zone geographic area construction and operation environmental constraints mitigate environmental impacts existing land uses local general plans specific plans 200 kilovolts Feasible definition operational control
(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 638, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Section § 25331

Explanation

This law allows the commission to identify or approve areas called transmission corridor zones for future high-voltage power lines in California. These zones should align with the state's strategic energy needs and goals. If someone wants to build a new high-voltage line, they can apply to have a specific area recognized as an appropriate corridor zone. Applications must be submitted in the approved format and include any necessary information that the commission requests.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 25331(a) The commission may designate a transmission corridor zone on its own motion or by application of a person who plans to construct a high-voltage electric transmission line within the state. The designation of a transmission corridor zone shall serve to identify a feasible corridor where one or more future high-voltage electric transmission lines can be built that are consistent with the state’s needs and objectives as set forth in the strategic plan adopted pursuant to Section 25324.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 25331(b) A person planning to construct a high-voltage electric transmission line may submit to the commission an application to designate a proposed transmission corridor zone as being consistent with the strategic plan adopted pursuant to Section 25324. The application shall be in the form prescribed by the commission and shall be supported by any information that the commission may require.
transmission corridor zone high-voltage electric transmission line application for transmission line state energy needs strategic plan for electricity commission designation future transmission lines energy infrastructure planning electricity corridor transmission line construction strategic energy objectives commission approval California electricity grid power line project submission requirements
(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 638, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Section § 25332

Explanation

This law states that when a transmission corridor zone is being designated in California, it must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act. The commission will act as the primary organization responsible for this process.

The designation of a transmission corridor zone is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000)). The commission shall be the lead agency, as provided in Section 21165, for all transmission corridor zones proposed for designation pursuant to this chapter.
transmission corridor zone California Environmental Quality Act lead agency environmental compliance designation process Section 21165 environmental impact assessment agency responsibility corridor designation commission role environmental regulations siting process zoning compliance energy infrastructure California energy policy
(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 638, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Section § 25333

Explanation

This law section outlines how the commission should work with local governments and tribes when creating a strategic plan for identifying areas suitable for transmission corridor zones. The commission must talk to cities, counties, federal agencies, and Native American tribes to find appropriate areas. They should try to align their plans with the land use plans already in place. Importantly, they can't designate a corridor within a tribe's land without that tribe's approval.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 25333(a) In developing a strategic plan pursuant to Section 25324 or considering an application for designation pursuant to this chapter, the commission shall confer with cities and counties, federal agencies, and California Native American tribes to identify appropriate areas within their jurisdictions that may be suitable for a transmission corridor zone. The commission shall, to the extent feasible, coordinate efforts to identify long-term transmission needs of the state with the land use plans of cities, counties, federal agencies, and California Native American tribes.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 25333(b) The commission shall not designate a transmission corridor zone within the jurisdiction of a California Native American tribe without the approval of the California Native American tribe.
strategic plan transmission corridor zone local government coordination tribal land approval land use planning California Native American tribes federal agency consultation long-term transmission needs jurisdiction suitability city and county collaboration utility infrastructure planning regional planning energy transmission land use compatibility infrastructure development
(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 638, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Section § 25334

Explanation

This law details the process and procedures the commission must follow when there's an application or initiative for designating a transmission corridor zone. They have to publish the application in local newspapers and online, as well as notify property owners and relevant agencies like cities and counties about it.

They also have to involve California Native American tribes and gather input about the zone's impacts on things like the environment and public health. Moreover, the applicant must cover all costs for the review, and if the commission starts the designation process itself, it will set a surcharge to cover costs.

Cities or counties reviewing the proposed zone can request reimbursement for any related expenses.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 25334(a) Upon receipt of an application or upon its own motion for designation of a transmission corridor zone, the commission shall arrange for the publication of a summary of the application in a newspaper of general circulation in each county where the proposed transmission corridor zone would be located, and shall notify all property owners within, or adjacent to, the transmission corridor zone. The commission shall transmit a copy of the application for designation to all cities, counties, and state and federal agencies having an interest in the proposed transmission corridor zone. The commission shall publish the application for designation on its Internet Web site, and notify members of the public that the application is available on the commission’s Internet Web site.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 25334(b) As soon as practicable after the receipt of an application or upon its own motion for designation of a transmission corridor zone, the commission shall notify cities, counties, state and federal agencies, and California Native American tribes in whose jurisdictions the proposed transmission corridor zone would be located regarding the proposed transmission corridor zone and the objectives of the most recent strategic plan for the state’s electric transmission grid. The commission’s notice shall solicit information from, and the commission shall confer with, all interested cities, counties, state and federal agencies, and California Native American tribes regarding their land use plans, existing land uses, and other factors in which they have expertise or interest with respect to the proposed transmission corridor zone. The commission shall provide any interested city, county, state or federal agency, California Native American tribe, or member of the public, including any property owner within the proposed transmission corridor zone, ample opportunity to participate in the commission’s review of a proposed transmission corridor zone.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 25334(c) The commission shall request affected cities, counties, state and federal agencies, the Electricity Oversight Board, the Independent System Operator, interested California Native American tribes, and members of the public, including any property owner within the proposed transmission corridor zone, to provide comments on the suitability of the proposed transmission corridor zone with respect to environmental, public health and safety, land use, economic, and transmission-system impacts or other factors on which they may have expertise.
(d)CA Public Resources Code § 25334(d) The commission shall require a person who files an application for the designation of a transmission corridor zone to pay a fee sufficient to reimburse the commission for all costs associated with reviewing the application. If the commission initiates the designation of a transmission corridor zone on its own motion, the commission shall fix the surcharge imposed pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 40016 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, at a level sufficient to cover the commission’s added costs.
(e)CA Public Resources Code § 25334(e) Upon receiving the commission’s request for review of a proposed transmission corridor zone, a city or county may request a fee pursuant to Section 25538 to cover for the actual and added costs of this review and the commission shall pay this amount to the city or county.
transmission corridor zone commission publication property owner notification interested agencies California Native American tribes land use plans environmental impact public health impact economic impact transmission system impact application fee application review costs local newspaper circulation strategic plan objectives surcharge for commission costs
(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 638, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Section § 25335

Explanation

This law requires the commission to start public informational hearings within 45 days after getting an application for a transmission corridor zone. These hearings, held in the counties where the zone is proposed, aim to inform the public and agencies about the project. They also explain how the zone fits into the state's electric transmission grid plan, gather initial public feedback, and explore reasonable alternatives to the proposed zone.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 25335(a) Within 45 days of receipt of the application or motion for designation, the commission shall commence public informational hearings in the county or counties where the proposed transmission corridor zone would be located.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 25335(b) The purpose of the hearings shall be to do all of the following:
(1)CA Public Resources Code § 25335(b)(1) Provide information about the proposed transmission corridor zone so that the public and interested agencies have a clear understanding of what is being proposed.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 25335(b)(2) Explain the relationship of the proposed transmission corridor zone to the commission’s strategic plan for the state’s electric transmission grid, as set forth in the most recent integrated energy policy report adopted pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 25300).
(3)CA Public Resources Code § 25335(b)(3) Receive initial comments about the proposed transmission corridor zone from the public and interested agencies.
(4)CA Public Resources Code § 25335(b)(4) Solicit information on reasonable alternatives to the proposed transmission corridor zone.
transmission corridor zone public informational hearings electric transmission grid strategic plan integrated energy policy report public feedback proposed alternatives initial comments agency involvement energy policy hearing purpose
(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 638, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Section § 25336

Explanation

This section requires that within 155 days after the final informational hearing, a prehearing conference must be held by the commission. The goal is to identify the issues to be discussed, schedule the hearings, and set deadlines for public comments and testimonies. Following this, the commission issues a hearing order within 15 days outlining the necessary details.

Afterward, hearings are conducted based on the hearing order to gather information needed for findings and conclusions as detailed in another section.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 25336(a) Within 155 days of the final informational hearing, the commission shall conduct a prehearing conference to determine the issues to be considered in hearings pursuant to this section, to identify the dates for the hearings, and to set forth filing dates for public comments and testimony from the parties and interested agencies. Within 15 days of the prehearing conference, the commission shall issue a hearing order setting forth the issues to be heard, the dates of the hearings, and the filing dates for comments and testimony.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 25336(b) The commission shall conduct hearings pursuant to the hearing order. The purpose of the hearings shall be to receive information upon which the commission can make findings and conclusions pursuant to Section 25337.
prehearing conference hearing order informational hearing public comments testimony deadlines hearing schedule commission hearings information gathering findings and conclusions interested agencies issues identification hearing dates
(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 638, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Section § 25337

Explanation

Within 180 days after finishing an environmental impact report, a commission must issue a proposed decision that evaluates several aspects of a proposed transmission corridor. This includes how well it aligns with strategic plans, its suitability based on environmental and public factors, and any needed mitigation measures. Other relevant issues may also be considered.

After the conclusion of hearings conducted pursuant to Section 25336, and no later than 180 days after the date of certification of the environmental impact report prepared pursuant to Section 25332, the commission shall issue a proposed decision that contains its findings and conclusions regarding all of the following matters:
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 25337(a) Conformity of the proposed transmission corridor zone with the strategic plan adopted pursuant to Section 25324.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 25337(b) Suitability of the proposed transmission corridor zone with respect to environmental, public health and safety, land use, economic, and transmission-system impacts.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 25337(c) Mitigation measures and alternatives as may be needed to protect environmental quality, public health and safety, the state’s electric transmission grid, or any other relevant matter.
(d)CA Public Resources Code § 25337(d) Other factors that the commission considers relevant.
transmission corridor zone strategic plan conformity environmental suitability public health and safety land use impact economic impact transmission system impact mitigation measures environmental impact report public safety electric transmission grid
(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 638, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Section § 25338

Explanation

After the commission picks a new area for power line corridors, they must quickly put this decision on their website. They need to send this information to cities, counties, and relevant state and federal agencies affected by it. Property owners nearby the corridor should also be informed that they can find this decision online.

As soon as practicable after the commission designates a transmission corridor zone, it shall post a copy of its decision on its Internet Web site, send a copy of its decision, including a description of the transmission corridor zone, to each affected city, county, state agency, and federal agency, and notify property owners within or adjacent to the corridor of the availability of the decision on the commission’s Internet Web site.
transmission corridor zone commission decision notification Internet Web site posting affected property owners city notification county notification state agency notification federal agency notification transmission corridor description website availability property owner notification corridor zone designation
(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 638, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Section § 25339

Explanation

This law requires that once a specific area is marked as a transmission corridor zone, it must be included in future strategic plans. These areas must be reviewed and possibly updated at least every 10 years. When changes are made, they have to follow certain rules. If a corridor zone is no longer needed, the commission has to inform local governments, agencies, and property owners nearby.

After the commission designates a transmission corridor zone, it shall identify that transmission corridor zone in its subsequent strategic plans adopted pursuant to Section 25324. The commission shall regularly review and revise its designated transmission corridor zones as necessary, but not less than once every 10 years. In revising designations of transmission corridor zones, the commission shall follow the procedures of this chapter. If, upon regular review or at any other time, the commission finds that a transmission corridor zone is no longer needed, the commission shall revise or repeal the designation and, as soon as practicable, notify the affected cities, counties, state and federal agencies, and property owners within, or adjacent to, the transmission corridor zone.
transmission corridor zone strategic plans designation revision regular review transmission zone update local government notification property owner notification commission procedures corridor zone repeal zone designation state and federal agencies affected cities agency communication corridor zone need designation change process
(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 638, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Section § 25340

Explanation

This law states that when a city or county is informed by the commission about a transmission corridor zone, they must take this zone into account if they are deciding on land use changes that are within or near the zone. These changes shouldn't negatively impact the planned ability to house a transmission line. However, compatible uses that don't interfere with the zone are still allowed.

After receiving notice from the commission regarding the designation or revision of a transmission corridor zone within its jurisdiction, each city or county shall consider the designated transmission corridor zone when making a determination regarding a land use change within or adjacent to the transmission corridor zone that could affect its continuing viability to accommodate a transmission line planned within the transmission corridor zone. Nothing in this section shall preclude compatible uses within or adjacent to a designated transmission corridor zone.
transmission corridor zone land use change city jurisdiction county jurisdiction accommodate transmission line compatible uses planning and zoning land use determination commission notice adjacent land use continuing viability utility planning regional planning
(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 638, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Section § 25341

Explanation

If a city or county receives an application for a development project in a designated transmission corridor zone that might impact the building of a high-voltage electric transmission line, they must notify the commission within 10 days. This notice includes the project application and gives the commission at least 60 days to comment.

If the commission thinks the project could hinder the transmission line, they can suggest changes to minimize or eliminate the issue. The city or county must review these comments before deciding on the project.

If the commission disagrees with the project, the city or county must explain in writing why they didn't follow the commission's suggestions.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 25341(a) Within a designated transmission corridor zone, within 10 days of accepting as complete an application pursuant to Section 65943 of the Government Code for a development project that a city or county determines would threaten the potential to construct a high-voltage electric transmission line, the city or county shall notify the commission of the proposed development project. The notice shall include a copy of the application, and set a deadline that is not less than 60 days from the date of the notice for the commission to provide written comments to the city or county regarding the proposed development project.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 25341(b) If the commission finds that the proposed development project would threaten the potential to construct a high-voltage electric transmission line within the designated transmission corridor zone, the commission shall provide written comments to the city or county. The commission may recommend revisions to, redesign of, or mitigation measures for the proposed development project that would eliminate or reduce the threat.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 25341(c) The city or county shall consider the commission’s comments, if any, prior to acting on the proposed development project. If the commission objects to the proposed development project, the city or county shall provide a written response that shall address in detail why it did not accept the commission’s comments and recommendations.
development project application high-voltage transmission line designated transmission corridor zone city or county notification commission comments project mitigation measures transmission line threat project redesign recommendations written response to commission application review process
(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 638, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)