Public Comments for Powerline Permits in the Los Padres Forest

Source: Los Padres National Forest

The Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest is preparing to reissue powerline permits to Southern California Edison Company (SCE) and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PGE) that serve local communities adjacent to and within the National Forest. The existing Special Use Authorizations have exceeded their expiration dates and updated authorizations are needed for continued use and occupancy of National Forest lands. 

The Forest Service is proposing to allow SCE and PGE to continue maintaining the grid in a safe and reliable manner while continually managing and mitigating effects to plants, animals, aquatic features, endangered species habitats, areas of resource concern, or any other area of potential affect.  SCE and PGE are required to maintain the grid to standard and be in compliance with several state and federal laws and regulations, including the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) requirements.

All authorizations will be consolidated into Master Permits and Easements with an attached Master Operation and Maintenance Plan, which will identify best management practices for all activities.  This action does not authorize any changes to facilities, alignments, or to the capacity of the electric grid.  Facilities considered in this analysis have been previously authorized with various special use permits, easements, or statutory rights and are eligible for continuance.

The Forest Service recognizes the importance of electric system infrastructure and the key role that NFS lands play in providing electric service to the public.

If you would like to comment on this proposal during the scoping period, or have any questions, the Forest Service would like to receive your input. The preference for receiving comments is by email. Please send comments to comments-pacificsouthwest-los-padres@fs.fed.us by April 20, 2018 with the words “SCE and PGE Renewal”in the subject line. If you are unable to send comments electronically, you may send them to the following address: LPNF Supervisor’s Office, Attn: Kyle Kinports, 6750 Navigator Way, Suite 150, Goleta, CA 93117.

If you have questions about the proposal, please write or call Jason Collier at jpcollier@fs.fed.us, or 909-382-2869