NextEra, PG&E return to community for feedback on local infrastructure project
If approved, the project is expected to be operational in 2019
— After initially introducing a proposed infrastructure project to increase electric reliability in the region last year, NextEra Energy Transmission West, LLC and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will now return to the community for a second round of open houses to share the proposed substation site location and alternatives, and PG&E’s refined transmission line route options.
As part of the proposed project, NextEra will build a new electric substation called “Estrella” in the Paso Robles community and PG&E is responsible for a set of electric grid upgrades known as Paso Robles Area Power Connect. PG&E’s upgrades will include building a new 70 kV transmission line and upgrading existing transmission lines, which, in conjunction with the proposed substation, will connect a new transmission source to the local electric grid. These investments will strengthen the region’s electric grid to meet the growing energy demands of nearly 47,000 local electric customers in Paso Robles, Atascadero, San Miguel, Templeton, Creston and Santa Margarita.
“This project is a key component of our efforts to meet the needs of the region’s growing population and economy,” said Pat Mullen, region director of PG&E’s Los Padres Division. “We gained valuable insight from the community during our first round of open houses, and we are looking forward to hearing their thoughts on the refined route options to help us develop the best project possible for the area.” 
The input received from the community, together with information gained from environmental and engineering studies, contributed to the selection of NextEra Energy Transmission West’s proposed substation site location and PG&E’s three potential route options. These will be shared with the community and additional feedback gathered to further refine the project as it moves through the development and approval process.
“Thanks to engagement from the local community during our initial outreach, we were able to identify a preferred site for the new substation. We are looking forward to sharing these details at the upcoming open houses as we continue to refine this project and coordinate closely with PG&E to deliver a new substation that will help ensure long-term electric reliability in the Paso Robles area,” said Mike Sheehan, executive director, NextEra Energy Transmission.
The community is invited to attend one of three public open houses to discuss the proposed project and provide feedback regarding the proposed substation site and potential transmission line routes.
Open houses:
Wednesday, June 22, 2016; 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Paso Robles Elks Lodge
1420 Park St., Paso Robles, CA 93446
Thursday, June 23, 2016; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Park Ballroom
1232 Park St. Suite 200, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Thursday, June 23, 2016; 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Park Ballroom
1232 Park St. Suite 200, Paso Robles, CA 93446
NextEra Energy Transmission West and PG&E say they are committed to siting and designing the project in a manner that avoids and minimizes environmental impacts. NextEra Energy Transmission West studied three potential substation site alternatives, and the proposed option will be made public at the open houses. PG&E analyzed four segmented transmission line routes, three of which were refined and selected for further analysis and will be shared at the open houses. Each of PG&E’s route options could connect to NextEra Energy’s proposed substation site, as well as the two alternatives, using the existing transmission line corridor that runs to the east of Paso Robles.
The proposed substation site and potential transmission line routes were selected based on minimizing or avoiding impacts to nearby communities, conflicts with established land uses and infrastructure, and effects on agricultural operations, among several other considerations.
NextEra Energy Transmission West and PG&E will continue to engage with the community throughout the development of the project. Based on community feedback and additional studies, PG&E will ultimately identify a proposed route to submit to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the state agency responsible for making a final decision on the project, for additional environmental review and public comment. NextEra Energy Transmission West and PG&E will jointly submit a formal application for the project under the name “Estrella Substation and Paso Robles Area Reinforcement Project” to the CPUC. If approved, the project is expected to be operational in 2019.
In addition to the open houses, the project team continues to hold stakeholder meetings and engage with the local community.
Residents who are unable to attend the open houses can obtain more information on the Estrella Substation by contacting NextEra Energy Transmission West at estrellaproject@nexteraenergy.com. More details regarding PG&E’s upgrades to the transmission grid can be found by visiting www.pge.com/pasoroblesareapc.
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