Guadalupe Facilities Relocation Initial Study
1997

Major Issues: Relocation of 115 kV transmission line; EMF impacts upon Santa Clara County residential and recreational uses.
Lead Agency: Santa Clara Valley Water District

Vineyard 230 kv Transmission Line Impact Analysis/Expert Testimony
Alameda County
1987

For this case study, TRA was retained by law firms representing the Wente Brothers Winery and several landowners in the project area to evaluate the impacts of a proposed high-voltage transmission line which would cross their properties. Our work included independent assessment of impacts, review of the EIR, and expert testimony in the administrative law hearings before the California Public Utilities Commission.

The project is located in the foothill area south of the City of Pleasanton in the Livermore Valley. This area is known as the "Fertile Crescent" and has been designated as a special study zone by the County of Alameda, and cities of Livermore and Pleasanton. Our case study included an assessment of the impacts of the line on the development proposals pending for the area -- the principal one being the Ruby Hills project proposed by Wente Brothers/Signature Homes. This project is a mixed use development containing a large, permanent vineyard and winery in the valley and lower slopes, and upper-end residential housing on the upper slopes below the ridgelines. Our analysis considered the compatibility of the proposed uses with each other as well as with the proposed transmission line. Our recommendation, which was adopted by CPUC staff during the proceedings, was that the most appropriate mitigation was to underground the full length of the transmission line, and not just the portion the utility was planning to underground. Client: Farrow, et al, and Armour et al., attorneys

Devers-Palo Verde #2500 KV Transmission Line Project DEIR
1987

In its review of an application by Southern California Edison (SCE) for a second 500 kV transmission line tying the nuclear generating station in central Arizona with the energy transmission grid serving greater southern California, the CPUC commissioned two separate environmental studies -- a project-specific EIR on the proposed routing of the new line and a generic study of the more general environmental issues relating to the need for and routing of future high-voltage transmission lines. Thomas Reid Associates prepared the latter, comprising five technical reports -- land use issues for transmission line planning; mitigation programs for high-voltage transmission lines; electrical effects of high-voltage transmission; regional air quality and energy supply impacts; and an assessment of major system alternatives for power transmission in the Southwest. Lead Agencies: California Public Utilities Commission and U.S. Forest Service

Roseville Direct Service Transmission Line Environmental Assessment
Sacramento and Placer Counties
1985

This study, which was completed for the Western Area Power Administration, addressed the impacts of constructing a new line in an existing transmission line corridor already serving one, and in some places two, existing 230 KV (double and single-circuit) lines. The project was for Western to provide direct service to the City of Roseville (Berry Street substation) from their Elverta substation to serve future load growth, instead of Roseville continuing to buy power from PG&E and pay their higher construction costs and wheeling charges. Principal impacts included specific land use conflicts, biological impacts on raptors and wetlands, visual impact, the cost-benefit of building the new line as single versus double circuit, and the cumulative impacts of two or three lines in the existing corridor. Lead Agency: Western Area Power Administration

Fallon Geothermal Project Transmission Line Environmental Study
State of Nevada
1984-85

This study was prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy, Western Area Power Administration for use by the U.S. Navy in siting a new 230 kV transmission line. The study involved an environmental constraints analysis of a 1000-square mile area in north-central Nevada to identify the possible routings for the line that would intertie with the existing transmission line network while causing the fewest adverse environmental impacts. Data were collected for land use, jurisdiction and ownership, aesthetics, geological hazards, water resources and flood zones, biological and cultural resources. Weighing criteria were defined for each type of constraint, and the degree of constraint posed by each environmental factor was mapped. Finally, a composite constraints map was prepared showing the effect of combining all constraints together. The remaining areas with none to moderate constraint were considered opportunity areas, allowing several alternative corridors to be designated. Uses BLM's VRM methodology. Lead Agency: Western Area Power Administration

Devers-Valley 500 KV, Serrano-Valley 500 KV Serrano-Villa Park Transmission Line Project EIS/EIR
1981-1984

Analysis of several hundred miles of alternate transmission line routes through urban and rural portions of 3 counties.
Major Issues: Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino Counties land use conflicts, property takings, conformance with land use plans of 3 counties, 14 cities, high voltage impacts to public safety, geologic hazards, habitat loss for sensitive plants/animals, mitigation and monitoring.
Lead Agencies: California Public Utilities Commission and US Forest Service

Devers Serrano 500 kV Transmission Line Construction Monitoring Program
1981-1984

TRA and Tierra Madre Consultants of Riverside monitored construction with regard to biology (rare plants and animals) and archeology.
Lead Agency: California Public Utilities Commission and US Forest Service

Cottonwood-Elverta #3230 KV Transmission Line EA;
Butte, Shasta and Tehama Counties
1980

Impacts of rehabilitating 70 miles of wood pole line in the northeastern Sacramento Valley.
Major Issues: were endangered species (bald eagles), cultural resources, increased visual impact.
Lead Agency: Western Area Power Administration