Waiting to Learn about the Impacts from a Proposed Power Substation? You'll Have to Wait Longer

The report that will detail how a new electrical substation and power lines might impact San Juan Capistrano and surrounding areas will not be available until early 2014.

That’s the word Bill Ramsey, assistant director of Development Services for San Juan Capistrano recently received from a consultant preparing the study for the state Public Utilities Commission.

San Diego Gas & Electric submitted plans in May 2012 for a $450-million overhaul of its power lines throughout South Orange County and an upgrade to its substation just north of downtown San Juan Capistrano.

The plans have come under fire from both San Juan Capistrano city officials and local residents.

The utility does not have to seek permission from the city for its plans and is instead moving the project through two simultaneous approval processes at the Public Utilities Commission.

The first declares a need for additional redundancy in power distribution as a back-up plan and to meet future demands. The second focuses just on the environmental impacts.

City leaders have been critical of the plan, especially regarding the planned razing of the current substation and construction of a new one. The current substation is fronted by a 1918 building, which is on the city’s list of “buildings of distinction.”

SDG&E officials contend there’s nothing particularly special about the building – although they are willing to sell it for $1. Cultural/historical impacts are among the areas an environmental impact report examines.

“Early in the year, they anticipated releasing the draft EIR about October,” Ramsey said.

Beyond addressing whatever environmental impacts the project may pose, the city is also challenging the need for the project at all. Attorneys for the city have appealed the matter to an administrative law judge, who has yet to rule on the matter, according to Duane Cave, SDG&E spokesman.

EDITOR’S NOTE – Before becoming editor of San Juan Capistrano Patch, Penny Arévalo served on a focus group for San Diego Gas & Electric and saw early plans to upgrade the local substation and power poles in the area. For her service, she received $75.

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