PROJECT NAME: Birds Landing-Contra Costa 230kV Project (Sacramento and Solano Counties, P. No. 5791742)
ADVICE LETTER NUMBER: 6131-E
Proposed Project: The U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has directed Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to raise a span of the existing double-circuit Birds Landing SW STA – Contra Costa PP and Birds Landing SW STA –
Contra Costa Sub 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line to accommodate commercial navigation of the Sacramento
River. After discussions with the U.S. Coast Guard, USACE established that the crossing must have a minimum clearance of 161 feet above Mean High Water (MHW). In order to achieve the clearance, PG&E will replace and slightly relocate four lattice steel towers, interset two new tubular steel poles, and modify one lattice steel tower within the existing easement. Once the new structures are installed, new conductor will be installed on the four spans, and the old structures will be removed. The existing lattice steel towers range in height from 100 to 505 feet. The new lattice steel towers and tubular steel poles will range in height from 95 to 565 feet. The taller structures are needed to achieve the MHW clearance established by USACE.
The project begins in an expansive wind farm, approximately 0.8 miles east of the south end of Talbert Lane in
Solano County. In runs south approximately 1.5 miles, spanning the Sacramento River, to a point on Sherman
Island in Sacramento County, approximately 0.3 miles east of Sherman Island State Park. No work will occur in the river, on its banks, or in the prism of the levee on the north side of Sherman Island. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2021, or as soon as practicable after project approval. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of 2022, or as soon as possible after construction begins.
Exemption from CPUC Permit Requirement: from the CPUC’s requirement to file an application requesting authority to construct if a project meets specific conditions. This project qualifies for the following exemptions:
Replacement of existing transmission line facilities or supporting structures with equivalent facilities or structures
CPUC General Order 131-D, Section III, Subsection A exempts a utility
Minor relocation of existing transmission line facilities.