REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
May 14, 2015
TO: Members of the Fresno City Council
FROM: Councilmember Oliver L. Baines III
President of the City Council,
Representing Council District Three
BY: Gregory A. Barfield
Chief of Staff, Office of Councilmember Oliver Baines
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Of support for the Central Valley Coalition for Reliable Energy
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended the City Council approve a Resolution supporting the Central Valley Power Connect project to ensure electric reliability for the city of Fresno and the Central Valley's growing population including homes, farms and businesses in the region.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Central Valley Power Connect is a proposed new 230 kilovolt transmission line that was approved by the California Independent System Operator (ISO) in its 2012-2013 Transmission Plan. The Central Valley Power Connect primary purpose is to ensure reliability in the Central Valley. Without this upgrade, the local transmission system will be unable to accommodate demand for energy in the long term. Central Valley Power Connect will also create economic benefits; allow the Helms Pumped Storage Project to continue running up to full capacity. Pacific Gas and Electric's percentage of Renewables Portfolio Standard eligible deliveries for 2014 was 27 percent, and the utility is on track to reach the state's mandate of 33 percent by 2020. This transmission line will assist in meeting this mandate.
BACKGROUND
The Central Valley Power Connect is a new 230 kilovolt transmission line that was approved by the California ISO in its 2012-2013 Transmission Plan. The California ISO selected Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE) U.S. Transmission, Citizens Energy Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to develop the new line as part of a competitive bid process. PG&E and BHE U.S. Transmission will jointly own the transmission line and lease 25 percent of the line'...
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