HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.B- Council Office 6 B ski;
DOC ID: 4128 A
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO — REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Set Workshop
From: James Mulvihill M/CC Meeting Date: 11/02/2015
Prepared by: Renee Ramey, (909) 384-
5188
Dept: Council Office Ward(s): All
Subject:
Scheduling of a Workshop Regarding the North-South Pipeline Project. (#4128)
Current Business Registration Certificate: Not Applicable
Financial Impact:
TBD
Motion: Schedule workshop to discuss the impacts of the North-South Project
alignment on San Bernardino.
Synopsis of Previous Council Action:
None
Background:
There are several listings of the benefits of this project (See attached Husing op ed) and
a full description of the project as of June 2014 is provided on the Public Utility
Commission's website. I have no concerns over the need for this project. My concerns
focus on the alignment choices SoCal Gas has made. Of all the cities this 65 mile
pipeline traverses, San Bernardino is affected the most. I have two areas of great
concern regarding the 50 foot wide trenching and the time needed for this trenching to
take place.
First, the present alignment takes the construction along Tippecanoe Avenue, through
San Bernardino International Airport, then on to the already congested HUB commercial
area. This is one of the city's prime sales tax generating areas. There is no concern
mentioned in any of the documents about consumer and travel disruptions.
Second, a specific impact on residents of the 7th Ward, the alignment chosen will turn
south from 40th Street onto Valencia Avenue. There are many residences, along with
Arrowhead Country Club, located adjacent to Valencia Avenue that would be adversely
affected. The original proposal had the pipeline turning south on Harrison Street. The
reason for the change to Valencia given by a project engineer was "...our
geotechnicians identified a fault along the Harrison Wash." I mentioned at that meeting
that there are faults all along the foothills of San Bernardino Mountains. In fact, the
Shandin Hills are fault overthrusts, as is Jenkin's Hill at Kendall Drive and University
Parkway. Obviously, effects on residences and businesses continue as the pipeline
continues onto Lynwood Avenue, Del Rosa Avenue and eventually Tippecanoe Avenue.
Updated: 10/28/2015 by Jolena E. Grider A Packet Pg.615
6.B
4128
haven't heard any concerns from others on the Council regarding the negative impacts
that this project will have on residents and businesses down the length of this city and I
believe a discussion and a workshop examination would be helpful to recognize the
very real impacts the present alignment has on San Bernardino. The present alignment
reflects the least cost choices of an engineer, i.e. no recognition of secondary social and
economic impacts.
Supporting Documents:
October 15, 2015 Press Enterprise Article by John Husing (PDF)
Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)Website Information (PDF)
Public Utilities Commission Notice of Preparation Scoping Notice for a Joint EIR-EIS for
the North-South Project (PDF)
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Updated: 10/28/2015 by Jolena E. Grider A Pact P'g 61 .;
OPINION
JOHN HUSING: New natural gas project
ensures our lights stay on
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By JOHN HUSING/Contributing writer N
Published:Oct. 15,201i Updated:10:51 a.m. T,
Over the next several months, Inland Empire residents and businesses will be hearing
about a large construction project called the"North-South Project" being proposed by the
region's natural gas provider, SoCalGas. For a number of reasons, the project is
important for not just the region, but all of Southern California.
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For starters, it helps meet our goal as a society of reducing reliance on traditional energy
sources such as coal and petroleum and increasing usage of renewable energy and cleaner a
fuels like natural gas. Moreover, it fills the gap in the Southern California power grid N
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caused by the recent closure of the San Onofre nuclear plant. As a result,this project will
ultimately improve both the economy and livability of the Inland Empire. w
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The proposed North-South Project includes the construction of a 36-inch diameter natural a
gas pipeline stretching 65 miles from Adelanto and south through the Cajon Pass to LO
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Moreno Valley. Additional gas facilities also will be built in Adelanto. N
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The project will serve what SoCalGas calls its "Southern System"— San Bernardino,
Riverside, Imperial and San Diego counties—with the goal being to increase the o
reliability of natural gas supplies for residential and business customers and for
generating electricity for the region. E
The mention of electricity with natural gas may surprise some people. Today, natural gas Q
supplies much of the fuel used by Southern California generators to produce electricity.
And the demand for natural gas to generate electricity stands to grow. State and federal
regulations are forcing electric utilities to turn their attention to renewable energy and
'P'''' clean-burning natural gas to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
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In Southern California, the situation is compounded by the challenge of replacing
Edison's San Onofre plant, which produced 2,150 megawatts of electricity annually. The
need of electric generators to replace that output has increased the demand for natural gas
by 100 million cubic feet of gas per day.Natural gas for electricity generation also must
compete with demands for natural gas from businesses and residents as our economy
continues to recover. U
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The problem is that the existing pipeline infrastructure cannot meet these demands. Most a
of the natural gas for the Southern System arrives through one pipeline from the east. o
That source is becoming increasingly less reliable due to demands for gas from here and
other regions. If the infrastructure is not built to bring other supplies, Southern System o
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customers could experience more shortages like the one that occurred this past summer.
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The long-term solution to this problem is the North-South Project. It will secure reliable
supplies of natural gas for the Inland Empire by linking the Southern System to
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SoCalGas' gas storage supplies in northern San'Bernardino County and other natural gas =
pipelines serving California. o
In addition to these very real practical benefits, this project will have a significant
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positive impact on the region's economy. Construction of the pipeline will represent $423
million in local spending that will create more than 3,000 local construction jobs. And a
studies over the long term project that it will create approximately 8,000 jobs in the four- a
county region and generate a total economic impact of$1.2 billion.
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This fall, the California Public Utilities Commission and the U.S. Forest Service will
begin environmental and safety reviews of the project. A series of public hearings will be a.
held. o
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The next time you flip on a light switch, be aware that you are also benefiting from the Z
availability of clean-burning natural gas. o
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Dr. John Husing is chief economist at the Inland Empire Economic Partnership. He also
authors the Quarterly Economic Report. E
WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Letters to the Editor: E-mail a
to letters @pe.com. Please provide your name, city and telephone number(telephone
numbers will not be published). Letters of about 200 words will be given preference.
Letters will be edited for length, grammar and clarity.
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North-South Project: Home Page l of g g b
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Southern California Gas Company and San Diego
Gas & Electric
North-South Project
(Application No. 13-12-013)
Last Update: October 12, 2015 0
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Si usted necesita mas informaci6n en espahol,por ,favor, flame al(844)277-2475, o_ r
presione aquf.
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Introduction
Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission(CPUC)website for the California Environmental Quality z
Act(CEQA)review of proposed construction of the North-South Project(Proposed Project). On March 13,2015, co
Southern California Gas Company and San Diego Gas&Electric(the Applicant)filed an application [Application T_
No. 13-12-013] for Authority to recover North-South Project revenue requirement in customer rates and for �-
approval of related cost allocation and rate design proposals.Their rate recovery application for the North-South o
Project includes expansion of the Adelanto Compressor Station,construction of about 63 miles of 36-inch natural �o
gas pipeline,and modification of pressure limiting devices in Moreno, Shaver Summit,and Desert Center. o
In accordance with CEQA,the CPUC,as the Lead Agency,is preparing an Environmental Impact Report to
evaluate the Proposed Project.The North-South Project would connect Adelanto to Moreno Valley,crossing land m
under the administration of the United States Forest Service(USFS).In accordance with the Mineral Leasing Act,
the USFS will act at the lead agency for environmental review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA).This site provides access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA/NEPA review
process.
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Quick Links U
• Application and Proponent's Environmental Assessment(PEA) 0
• Deficiency Letter#1 N
• Response#I E
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• Response#2 0
• Deficiency Letter#2 v
• Application Deemed Complete letter
On September 3,2015,the CPUC determined that the application and PEA were complete.
Project Description .2
The Proposed Project includes the following major components: a
• Replacement of existing infrastructure and installation of new infrastructure at the Adelanto Compressor
Station,including the natural gas turbines and compressors,exhaust emission treatment equipment,gas and E
oil cooling equipment,filter separator,auxiliary buildings,blowdown stack, lubrication oil tanks(for
unused and used oil),cathodic protection system,and generators.
• Installation of approximately 30,000 horsepower of natural gas compression,new emission control a
equipment,and in-line inspection tool launcher at the Adelanto Compressor Station.
• Construction of the Adelanto to Moreno pipeline, segmented as follows:
• Segment 1 -Adelanto Compressor Station to the San Bernardino National Forest Boundary
• Segment 2-San Bernardino National Forest
• Segment 3-Swarthout Canyon Road along U.S.Route 66 to Reche Canyon Road
• Segment 4-Reche Canyon Road to Moreno Pressure Limiting Station
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/Enviromnent/info/ene/n-s/northsouth.html 1 "p cketP 620;
North-South Project: Home Page 2 o
• Station piping modifications and installation of additional pressure limiting and communications
equipment at the Moreno Pressure Limiting Station.
• Station piping modifications and installation of additional pressure limiting and communications
equipment at the Whitewater Pressure Limiting Station.
• Installation of pressure limiting and communications equipment at the proposed Shaver Summit Pressure
Limiting Station.
• Modification of existing station piping and installation of pressure limiting and communications equipment
at the Desert Center Compressor Station.
• Installation of 16 main line block valves.
• Modifications to existing roads,including those currently used by SoCalGas and other utilities within the
San Bernardino National Forest,as well as city-and county-maintained roads. o
• The establishment of temporary staging areas adjacent to the Proposed Project alignment. (L
Construction of the North-South Project is anticipated to begin in September 2018 and would take approximately
one year. 0
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Project Location
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The Proposed Project is located in San Bernardino and Riverside counties,California.About 12 miles of pipeline z
would be located within the San Bernardino National Forest.Other major components will be located within the N
cities of Adelanto,Victorville,Highland, San Bernardino,Colton,Loma Linda,and Moreno Valley.Figure I
depicts an overview of the Proposed Project location.
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Administrative Law Judge's Proceeding
For information about the proceeding or to find out how you can participate in the proceeding,please click the ,o
following link and enter the proceeding number(A1312013)
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Link to the Proceeding
Public Scoping,Notice of Intent and Notice of Preparation
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The USFS published a Notice of Intent(NOI)to prepare a joint Environmental Impact Report/Environmental a
Impact Statement(EIR/EIS)for the proposed project in the Federal Register on October 2,2015.The CPUC v
published a Notice of Preparation(NOP)of a joint Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact o
Statement(EIR/EIS)for the proposed project to the State Clearinghouse,-responsible and trustee agencies,other N
agencies,tribes,elected officials, organizations,owners and occupants of contiguous properties,residents,and E
other interested parties on October 8,2015.The circulated NOP opened a 45-day public comment period on the o
scope and content of the document from October 8,2015 to November 23,2015. v
The CPUC will conduct three public scoping meetings for the proposed project to provide interested parties the )
opportunity to learn more about the proposed project, ask questions,and submit comments,as follows:
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Tuesday,October 27, San Gorgonio High School,2299 Pacific Street,San Bernardino,CA
Wednesday,October 28,Courtyard Marriott,9619 Mariposa Road,Hesperia,CA a
Thursday,October 29,Moreno Valley Conference and Recreation Center, 14075 Frederick Street,Moreno a-
Valley,CA
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All meetings will run from 6:00 to 8:30 pm.
The public review and comment period for the NOP will end at 5:00 pm on November 23,2015.A summary of a
the scoping process and comments received during the scoping period will be included in the final Scoping,
Report,which will be available here.
For Additional Information
To request additional information or to be added to the mailing list,please contact us by email,fax,or phone,as
follows:
http://www.epuc.ca.gov/Environment/info/ene/n-s/northsouth.html 1 Pa
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North-South Project: Home Page 3 o $b =
Project email:North-South(o,ene.com
Project fax:415-398-5326
Project voicemail: (844)277-2475 (toll free)
The CPUC's Project Manager is:
Eric Chiang
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco,CA 94102
Email: eric.chianp cr cpuc.ca. ov
Tel.:(415)703-1956
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The USFS Project Manager is: o
Robert Hawkins a.
154 Sherwood Ct
Vacaville,CA 95687 cn
Email:rhhawkins(a,fs.fed.us
Phone: (916)849-8037 c
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http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/Environment/info/ene/n-s/northsouth.html 1 Packed P g s22==
STATE OF CALIFORNIA Edmund G.Brown Jr., Governor
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
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505 VAN NESS AVENUE L
SAN FRANCISCO,CA 94102-3298 d
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Notice of Preparation
Scoping Notice z
for a Joint
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Environmental Impact Report/ ,0
Environmental Impact Statement w
forthe
North-South Project w
Proposed by Southern California Gas Company and San Diego Gas and
Electric
CPUC Application No.13-12-013 0
Forest Service Application No. FCD102314
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To: All Interested Parties
Si usted necesita una copia de este documento en espanol o si necesito informaci6n a
acerca del proyecto par favor Home a (855)520-6799. rn
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A. Introduction Q
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Southern California Gas Company(SoCalGas)and San Diego Gas and Electric(SDG&E) have filed a
an application with the California Public Utilities Commission(CPUC)for authority to recover
revenue requirements in customer rates,and for approval of related cost allocation and rate
design proposals,for the proposed North-South Project(Proposed Project).SoCalGas has also z0
filed an application for a right-of-way(ROW)with the United States Department of Agriculture, r_
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Forest Service(Forest Service)to site project infrastructure within the San Bernardino National N
Forest.The CPUC as the lead agency under California law,and the Forest Service as the lead E
federal agency,will direct the preparation of a joint Environmental Impact Report(EIR)and an o
Environmental Impact Statement(EIS), referred to as an EIR/EIS,for the Proposed Project to V
comply with the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)and the National Environmental
Policy Act(NEPA).
As required by CEQA,this Notice of Preparation(NOP)is being sent to interested agencies and 2
members of the public.The purpose of the NOP,which also serves as the Forest Service Scoping
Notice, is to inform recipients that the CPUC and Forest Service are beginning joint preparation C'
of an EIR/EIS for the Proposed Project and to solicit information that will be helpful in the =
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environmental review process.This notice includes a description of the project that SoCalGas and =
SDG&E propose to construct,a summary of potential project impacts,the times and locations of
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Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
public scoping meetings,and information on how to provide comments.The Forest Service and o
the CPUC are jointly conducting the three public meetings that will be held during the EIR/EIS Z
scoping period(see detail in Section Q.The scoping period will end on November 23,2035. 00
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As required by NEPA,the Forest Service published a Notice of Intent(N01)in the Federal Register
to prepare a joint EIR/EIS for the Proposed Project.The NOI provides information about the
Proposed Project,describes the Forest Service review process,solicits information that will be a
helpful in the environmental review process,and also serves as an invitation to federal,state, _
and local agencies and tribal governments to join as cooperating agencies.A copy of the N01 is c
attached. Please refer to the N01 for more detailed information about the Forest Service permit N
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review process. L
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A Scoping Summary Report will be prepared to summarize comments submitted to the CPUC and s
the Forest Service.This joint NOP/Scoping Notice,the Forest Service N01,and the Scoping L
Summary Report(after it has been finalized)can be viewed on the project web site at the
following link; rn
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http://www.cpuc.ca.goy/Environment/info/ene/n-s/`northsouth.htmi W
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The Proponent's Environmental Assessment(PEA)includes an additional pipeline segment,the -0�
Moreno to Whitewater segment,which is no longer included in the Proposed Project.The EIR/EIS 1°
will analyze the project components listed in Section B and alternatives to SoCalGas's and 0
SDG&E's proposal. 2
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B. Project Description
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The Proposed Project includes the construction,operation,and maintenance of a 36-inch- U
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diameter natural gas transmission pipeline;the rebuilding of the Adelanto Compressor Station by c
adding 30,000 horsepower of compression to the system;installation of additional pressure .
limiting and communications equipment at the Moreno Pressure Limiting Station,Whitewater
Pressure Limiting Station,and Desert Center Compressor Station;and installation of pressure
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limiting and communications equipment at the proposed Shaver Summit Pressure Limiting o-
Station.The pipeline would be approximately 65 miles long,beginning at the Adelanto 0
Compressor Station in the city of Adelanto,proceeding south through the Cajon Pass and the San
Bernardino National Forest,and ending at the Moreno Pressure Limiting Station in the city of 0
Moreno Valley.The proposed pipeline alignment would be located primarily within existing r_
public and private ROW. 2
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As shown in Figure 1,the Proposed Project would be located in San Bernardino and Riverside E
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Counties;the cities of Adelanto,Victorville, Highland,San Bernardino,Colton, Loma Linda,and 0
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Moreno Valley;and the San Bernardino National Forest.
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The Proposed Project includes the following major components:
• Replacement of existing infrastructure and installation of new infrastructure at the
Adelanto Compressor Station,including the natural gas turbines and compressors, a
exhaust emission treatment equipment,gas and oil cooling equipment,filter separator,
auxiliary buildings,blowdown stack, lubrication oil tanks(for unused and used oil), E
cathodic protection system,and generators.
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Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
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• Installation of approximately 30,000 horsepower of natural gas compression, new o
emission control equipment,and in-line inspection tool launcher at the Adelanto z
Compressor Station. co
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• Construction of the Adelanto to Moreno pipeline,segmented as follows:
• Segment 1-Adelanto Compressor Station to the San Bernardino National Forest F,
Boundary
• Segment 2—San Bernardino National Forest
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• Segment 3—Swarthout Canyon Road along U.S.Route 66 to Reche Canyon Road
• Segment 4—Reche Canyon Road to Moreno Pressure Limiting Station
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• Station piping modifications and installation of additional pressure limiting and
communications equipment at the Moreno Pressure Limiting Station.
• Station piping modifications and installation of additional pressure limiting and z
communications equipment at the Whitewater Pressure Limiting Station. s
• Installation of pressure limiting and communications equipment at the proposed Shaver o
Summit Pressure Limiting Station. V)
• Modification of existing station piping and installation of pressure limiting and W
communications equipment at the Desert Center Compressor Station. &
• Installation of 16 main line block valves.
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• Modifications to existing roads,including those currently used by SoCalGas and other c
utilities within the San Bernardino National Forest,as well as city-and county-maintained
roads. L
• The establishment of temporary staging areas adjacent to the Proposed Project m
alignment.
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Project Purpose.According to SoCalGas and SDG&E,the Proposed Project is needed to establish °1
a physical connection between their Northern and Southern gas transmission systems.One o
portion of SoCalGas's and SDG&E's interconnected transmission system,SoCalGas'Southern i0
Transmission System(Southern System),requires daily minimum flowing supplies of natural gas =
from receipt points in the Southern System.Without these minimum supplies,there is not
enough natural gas supply in the Southern System to provide ail customers with their daily load co
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requirements. If load demand on the Southern System increases,and/or available supplies at the m
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receipt points decrease,customers on the Southern System may face supply-based curtailments a
without the Proposed Project. o
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Most of the Southern System flowing supplies(natural gas)originate from one pipeline: El Paso Z
Natural Gas Company's El Paso South Mainline.Southern System customers have faced reliability =
problems in the past because of the lack of natural gas supply options,including a Southern °—
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System curtailment in February of 2011,several recent supply-related near misses,and N
operational issues that have created reliability concerns.Reliability concerns have been E
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heightened by increased regional demand of natural gas for the generation of electricity o
following the closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.Additionally,available y
supplies from the El Paso South Mainline may become more scarce and expensive if exports from
the United States to Mexico increase.
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A physical link does not currently exist between SoCalGas's Southern System and Northern
Transmission System.The Proposed Project would create this link and resolve supply-related a
risks to the Southern System by providing Southern System customers access to Northern System
storage facilities and receipt points. m
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Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
In addition,SoCalGas and SDG&E have presented the following six objectives in their PEA: o
1. Provide safe and reliable gas service in a timely and cost effective manner to Southern Z
System customers. N
2. Maintain the Southern System's reliability and alleviate the potential for curtailments of
customers on the Southern System due to the discrepancy between customer demand
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and the volume of flowing supplies delivered to the Southern System to meet that 2
demand. °
3. Resolve supply-related risks to the Southern System by providing Southern System
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customers with access to storage supplies and more receipt points located outside of the c
Southern System(Topock,Needles,Wheeler Ridge,Kern River Station,and Kramer rn
Station).
4. Provide an interconnection allowing the Applicant to efficiently transport 800 million
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cubic feet per day of natural gas supplies into the Southern System from interstate and s
intrastate receipt points located outside of the Southern System. i
5. Provide Southern System natural gas customers(including electric generators)located on °
the Southern System with the same level of reliability that customers receive elsewhere N
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on SoCalGas's and SDG&E's integrated transmission system.
6. Complete the Proposed Project as soon as possible to mitigate the risk of curtailments w
caused by(i)increased demand in the Southern System caused by the decommissioning c
of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and(ii)future projects that are expected to
decrease available supplies at the Southern System receipt point. f°
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During the environmental review process,the CPUC may refine the project objectives to allow a v
wider range of alternatives to be evaluated in the EIR/EIS. z
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C. Project Alternatives o
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The EIR/EIS will evaluate alternatives to the Proposed Project that could potentially reduce, _
eliminate,or avoid impacts of the Proposed Project.Alternatives may include minor route o
variations,alignment alternatives,and non-physical alternatives. In compliance with CEQA and L
NEPA,an EIR/EIS must describe a reasonable range of alternatives to the Proposed Project or
project location that could meet the project's purpose and need,feasibly attain most of the basic a`
project objectives,and avoid or lessen any of the significant environmental impacts of the o
Proposed Project.Additionally,the No Project/No Action Alternative must also be analyzed in the
FIR/EIS.The No Project/No Action Alternative will describe the situation that would likely occur o
in the absence of Proposed Project implementation.The EIR/EIS will also evaluate the _
comparative merits of the alternatives. o
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SoCalGas and SDG&E evaluated a variety of project alternatives that may be able to obtain the E
same objectives as the Proposed Project,including non-physical alternatives,infrastructure 0
alternatives,and alignment alternatives.As part of the environmental review process for the y
Proposed Project,the CPUC and USFS will evaluate the feasibility of alternatives presented by
SoCalGas and SDG&E and consider whether they meet CEQA and NEPA requirements.The CPUC
and USFS will likely develop other alternatives for evaluation in the EIR/EIS. New alternatives
developed during the environmental review process for the Proposed Project will be based on .Q
input received during the public scoping process and the potential environmental impacts ai.
identified during the analysis of the Proposed Project. c
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Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
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D. Analysis of Potential Environmental Impacts
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In accordance with CEQA guidelines and NEPA implementing regulations,the CPUC and Forest
Service intend to prepare a joint EIR/EIS to evaluate potential environmental impacts of the
Proposed Project and to propose mitigation measures to reduce any significant impacts o
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identified.The EIR/EIS will also analyze potential environmental impacts of the alternatives to IL
the Proposed Project and propose mitigation to reduce those impacts.
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Based on preliminary analysis of the Proposed Project and review of documents submitted by Cn Cn
SoCalGas and SDG&E,including the PEA and technical reports submitted to the CPUC and Forest 0
Service after the PEA was filed,implementation of the Proposed Project may have a number of Z
potentially significant environmental impacts. Potential impacts on the existing environment are
summarized by resource area below.No determinations have yet been made as to the 0
significance of these potential impacts;such determinations will be made in the environmental N
analysis conducted in the EIR/EIS after the issues are thoroughly considered and the public has W
had an opportunity to comment. In addition,the EIR/EIS will address issues raised during the
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public scoping process and will include an evaluation of the cumulative impacts that may occur =
as the result of implementing the Proposed Project in combination with other reasonably o
foreseeable projects in the area.
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Aesthetic Resources m
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AF • Potential impacts on nighttime views as a result of nighttime construction lighting and Z
operational nighttime lighting at the Adelanto Compressor Station and Moreno Pressure c
Limiting Station. a
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• Temporary impacts along state scenic highways from construction of the Proposed N
Project. o
• Potential temporary impacts on scenic vistas during construction.
• Potential impacts on visual resources within the San Bernardino National Forest during a
construction and for a period of several years following construction until revegetation ;v
and restoration activities are completed.
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Agricultural and Forestry Resources
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• Potential temporary impacts on Prime Farmland and Farmland of Local Importance. r_
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• Potential conflicts with existing land use zones as established in the San Bernardino N
National Forest Land Management Plan. E
• Potential permanent loss of forest due to the placement of project infrastructure. E
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Air Quality
• Potential impacts caused by various activities during construction of the Proposed
Project that may generate emissions of criteria pollutants,greenhouse gases,and toxic 2
air contaminants,including diesel particulate matter.These emissions may exceed M
federal and state thresholds.
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• Construction activities could potentially cause new violations of ambient air quality a)
standards or contribute substantially to existing violations of those standards. c
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• Construction activities could potentially conflict with or obstruct implementation of c
applicable air quality plans. z
• Construction activities may contribute to a cumulatively considerable net increase of N
criteria pollutants in a non-attainment area.
• Potential impacts associated with vehicle travel that may generate fugitive dust
emissions. g
• Potential impacts associated with the operation of the upgraded Adelanto Compressor °-
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Station could result in emissions of criteria pollutants,greenhouse gases,and toxic air
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contaminants. to
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Biological Resources z
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• Potential impacts on state or federally listed species, including indirect impacts on Santa o
Ana sucker,arroyo toad,Swainson's hawk,and least Bell's vireo;direct impacts on desert "'
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tortoise and San Bernardino kangaroo rat;and direct or indirect impacts on W
southwestern willow flycatcher and coastal California gnatcatcher. o:
• Potential impacts on state or federally listed species and their habitats. w
• Potential impacts on non-listed,special status plant and wildlife species potentially o
present in the Study Area.
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• Potential impacts on vegetation, including grassland,riparian,chaparral,coastal scrub, o
desert scrub, herbaceous,and woodland communities,including impacts on special -CD
status vegetation communities. U
• Potential impacts from an increase in non-native weed establishment and recruitment z
during construction and operations. _
• Potential impacts on jurisdictional waters regulated by the United States Army Corps of Q-
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Engineers,State Water Resources Control Board,and the California Department of Fish U
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and Wildlife. c
• Potential impacts on tree resources, including, but not limited to,conflicts with policies
adopted by San Bernardino County,the City of Adelanto,and/or the City of Highland.
Impacts on riparian areas could conflict with the Forest Service Riparian Conservation m
Area standards. o.
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• Potential conflicts with the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan 0
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(MSHCP),Coachella Valley MSHCP,Stephens'Kangaroo Rat Habitat Conservation Plan, P
and/or the County of Riverside Reche Canyon/Badlands Area Plan. 0
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• Potential direct and indirect impacts on nesting birds during construction and/or o
operations and maintenance activities. (n
Cultural and Paleontological Resources E
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• Potential impacts on historic resources determined eligible or recommended as eligible
for listing on the California Register of Historic Resources and National Register of
Historic Places. M
• Potential impacts on known and unknown archaeological sites during construction. 2
• Potential impacts on paleontological resources during construction.
• Potential for construction activities to disturb human remains, including those interred
outside of formal cemeteries.
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Geology,Soils,and Minerals o
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• Potential geologic and soil hazards associated with fault rupture,strong seismic ground CO
shaking,landslides,and liquefaction.
• Potential impacts associated with subsidence, soil erosion, and expansive soils.
• Potential impacts related to the loss of availability of mineral resources. )
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Hazards and Hazardous Materials s
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• Possible impacts during construction and operation related to the potential for N
accidental release of hazardous materials,including but not limited to previously t
contaminated soils, petroleum products (diesel,gasoline, hydraulic fluid,transmission Z
oil,lubricating oil and grease,waste oil,mineral oil),welding gases,paint,solvents, s
methanol,antifreeze,water-soluble chemicals,corrosion inhibitors,scale inhibitors, o
drag-reducing agents,and biocides. "-
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• Possible impacts related to pipeline failure during operations,which is defined as an w
accidental release,rupture,and/or ignition of natural gas from a pipeline. In the event of
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pipeline failure,there would be increased risk of fire,explosion,and potential to
generate a migrating gas vapor cloud.Typical causes of pipeline failure include third- o
party digging activities in the vicinity of the pipeline;ground movement associated with
fault rupture;liquefaction and/or landslides; undetected pipeline corrosion;and material o
or welding defects.Pipeline failure also can be caused by intentional vandalism or
destruction.
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• Potential impacts related to interference of construction activities with emergency Z
evacuation routes in the area. c
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Hydrology and Water Quality N
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• Potential impacts on water quality during construction activities,including increased
sediment loads to receiving waterbodies,the spread of contaminated water,and n.
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discharge of hydrostatic testing waters. o.
• Potential impacts on water quality during construction related to the possible accidental o
release of drilling fluid used during directional drilling activities. 4)
• Potential impacts on water quality during operations as a result of increased impervious o
surface area(e.g., pavement). Z
• Temporary impacts on existing drainage patterns associated with open cuts of water o
body crossings,creation of new access roads,and expansion of existing access roads
during construction. E
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Land Use and Planning V
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• Potential temporary community disruption due to construction activities. ,
• Potential for construction activities to temporarily physically divide an established D
community by impacting commuter traffic on Reche Canyon Road. .2
• Construction of the Proposed Project could potentially conflict with requirements of the n3.
San Bernardino National Forest Land Management Plan, possibly requiring a project-
specific Land Management Plan amendment. d
• Construction of the Proposed Project could potentially impact the roadless area
characteristics associated with the Cajon Roadless Area.
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Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
Noise o
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• Noise would occur as a result of construction of the pipeline and block valves, 00
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construction and upgrades of compressor stations and pressure limiting stations,and
construct ion-related traffic.Construction vibration would be related to laying of the y
pipeline,and levels of vibration would vary during the construction period. )
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• Potential short-term noise and vibration from operation and maintenance activities(e.g., o.
noise resulting from infrequent pipeline depressurization at one of the 16 proposed main
line block valves during maintenance activities). c
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Public Health and Safety o
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• Potential for wildfires due to construction and maintenance activities in areas of high or
moderate fire potential. ,o
• Potential disruption of emergency services due to the presence of construction
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equipment and workspaces.
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Public Services and Utilities c
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• Construction of the Proposed Project may result in the need for emergency medical
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services related to construction accidents.
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Recreation o
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• Potential impacts on recreation within the San Bernardino National Forest,including use E CL
of forest roads and trails and the Pacific Crest Trail during construction. 0
• Potential for construction activities to result in short-term impacts to recreational users M
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of five parks within the City of San Bernardino (Blast Soccer Complex,Guhin Park,Jack o
Reilly Park,Lionel E. Hudson Park,and Harper Field), including traffic delays in the vicinity
of the parks and indirect impacts associated with noise and air quality. a
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Transportation and Traffic o
• Potential temporary construction-related traffic impacts such as closed streets, lane o
closures, left-turn intersection prohibitions, reduced capacities for construction zones Z
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(spreads),sidewalk closures,crosswalk closures and relocation,transit route and bus g
stop changes,and bicycle and pedestrian system changes. N
• Construction of the Proposed Project may reduce capacity,reduce speed limits,and stop E
traffic for construction vehicles and equipment on the streets along the proposed °
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pipeline alignment and streets that cross the proposed pipeline alignment. It is expected m
that all the streets on the proposed pipeline alignment and the streets crossing the
proposed pipeline alignment would have temporary construction-related impacts.
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Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
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Cumulative Impacts o
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• Potential cumulative impacts resulting from the construction of other projects at the N
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same time or in the same location as the Proposed Project that may compound or
increase the impacts identified above.Potential cumulative projects may include but are
not limited to utilities,residential,commercial,industrial,and roadway construction and a;
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maintenance projects. a
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Mitigation Measures
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SoCalGas and SDG&E have proposed measures in the PEA that could reduce,avoid,or eliminate t
potential environmental impacts of the Proposed Project.The effectiveness of these measures z
(called"Applicant Proposed Measures")will be evaluated in the EIR/EIS and will be considered m
part of the Project Description.That is,potential environmental impacts will be evaluated with i
the consideration that the Applicant Proposed Measures will be implemented.If necessary,
additional mitigation measures will be developed and evaluated in the EIR/EIS to further reduce, N
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eliminate,or avoid potential environmental impacts.When the CPUC and Forest Service make &
their final decision on the Proposed Project,they will define the mitigation measures to be w
adopted as a condition of project approval,and the CPUC and Forest Service will require
implementation of a mitigation monitoring and reporting program.
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E. Public Scoping Meetings
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The CPUC and Forest Service will conduct three public scoping meetings in the project area, as
shown below.The purpose of the scoping meetings is to present information about the Proposed o
Project and the CPUC and Forest Service decision-making process and to allow responsible 0
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agencies,interested agencies,and the general public the opportunity to comment on the scope, r_
focus,and content of the EIR/EIS. .0,
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Table 1 Public Scoping Meetings ;v
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Moreno Valley o
Location San Gorgonio High Courtyard Marriott Conference and m
School Recreation Center c
Date Tuesday, Wednesday,October Thursday,October 29, z
October 27,2015 28,2015 2015 0
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Time 6 to 8:30 p.m. 6 to 8:30 p.m. 6 to 8:30 p.m.
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Address 2299 Pacific Street,San 9619 Mariposa Road, 14075 Frederick Street, E
Bernardino,CA Hesperia,CA Moreno Valley,CA 0
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F. Scoping Comments 2
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The CPUC and Forest Service are jointly soliciting information from all responsible and trustee
agencies, all other public agencies with jurisdiction by law with respect to the Project,as well as
public input regarding the topics and alternatives that should be included in the EIR/EIS. E
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Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
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Suggestions for submitting scoping comments are presented at the end of this section.The 0
scoping period will end on November 23,2015. Z
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All Scoping Comments:Interested parties may submit comments in a variety of ways:(1)by U.S, v
mail,(2)by email,(3)by fax,or(4) by attending a public scoping meeting(see times and
locations in Table 1,above)and making a verbal statement or handing in a written comment at m
the scoping meetings.Commenters should include their names and mailing addresses at the O°L-
bottom of the comment for mailed,faxed,and emailed comments and note the"North-South
Project."
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By mail:Comments may be sent to the following address:
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Public Scoping Comments s
RE:North-South Project L
505 Sansome Street,Suite 300
San Francisco,CA 94111 N
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By email:Comments may be sent to the following address: w
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north-south @ene.com. �°
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By fax:Comments may be sent to the following number: °
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AV A (415)398-5326. 0
Comments on the NOP/Scoping Notice must be received or postmarked by November 23, _
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2015,to be accepted. No comments will be accepted after the comment period is closed. 0
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Interested parties will have an additional opportunity to comment on the North-South Project (n
during the 45-day public review period to be held for the Draft EIR/EIS. o
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Comments received during scoping, including names and addresses of those who comment,will m
be part of the public record for this proposed project.Comments submitted anonymously will be a
accepted and considered;however,anonymous comments will not provide the Forest Service o
with the ability to provide the respondent with subsequent environmental documents and will 0
not provide the respondent standing to participate in subsequent administrative or judicial c
review of the Forest Service decision.This project will follow the predecisional administrative Z
review process pursuant to 36 CFR 218,Subparts A and B. o_
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Scoping Report:A scoping report will be prepared that summarizes all comments received E
(including oral comments made at the scoping meetings).This report will be posted on the o
project website at: U
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http:Hwww.ct)uc.ca.goy/Environment/info/ene/n-s/`northsouth.html
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This NOP/Scoping Notice has been sent to responsible and trustee agencies,potential 0
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cooperating federal agencies,Tribal Governments,and the State Clearinghouse.Agencies should :r
state their views regarding the scope and content of the environmental information,which E
reflects their statutory responsibilities in connection with the Proposed Project.Once again,
responses should identify the issues to be considered in the Draft EIR/EIS,including significant w
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Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
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environmental issues,alternatives,and mitigation measures and whether the responding agency o
will be a responsible agency or a trustee agency. Due to the time limits mandated by State laws, z
responses must be sent at the earliest possible date but no later than 45 days after receipt of this N
notice(November 23,2015).
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G. Additional Information
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Information about the Proposed Project and the CECA/NEPA compliance process is available at N
the following website:
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http://www.cpuc.ca.goy/Environment/info/ene/n-s/northsouth.htmi s
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This site will be used to post all public documents related to the EIR/EIS,including notices of N
public meetings.No public comments will be accepted on this website. However,the website w
provides information on how interested parties can sign up to be placed on the project mailing r�
list.The PEA is also available on the website. w
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Requests for additional information or to be added to the mailing list may be made by contacting
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us via e-mail,fax,or phone,as follows: c
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Project e-mail: North-South @ene.com
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Project fax:(415)398-5326 z
Project voicemail:(855)520-6799(toll free)
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Documents related to the North-South Project and the EIR/EIS will be made available at the sites
listed below: _
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Project Document Repository Sites a
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Victorville City Library 15011 Circle Drive,Victorville,CA 92395 (760)245-4222 0
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Norman F.Feldheym 555 West 6th Street,San Bernardino,CA 92410 (909)381-8201 Y
Central Library z
Moreno Valley Public 25480 Alessandro Blvd,Moreno Valley,CA (951)413-3880 =
Library 92553 2
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San Bernardino National 602 S.Tippecanoe Ave.,San Bernardino,CA (909)3$2-2600 0
Forest Headquarters 92408 v
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