REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Annual City of Santa Clara Electric Department dba Silicon Valley Power 2024 Wildfire Mitigation Plan
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High-Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
California Public Utilities Code Section 8387, as amended by Senate Bill 901 in 2018, requires every local publicly electric utility, like City of Santa Clara, Silicon Valley Power (SVP), to prepare a wildfire mitigation plan (WMP). State law requires the WMP to cover, among other things, (1) a description of the preventive strategies and programs to be adopted by the local publicly owned electric utility to minimize the risk of its electrical lines and equipment causing catastrophic wildfire fires; (2) plans for vegetation management; and (3) plans for inspections of electrical infrastructure. On June 25, 2019, the City Council approved SVP’s 2019 Wildfire Mitigation Plan, which include SVP’s remote electric transmission assets. In accordance with State law, the WMP is reviewed by staff and adopted by Council on an annual basis.
SVP’s service territory is contiguous with the City of Santa Clara (City) city limits with limited service in neighboring jurisdictions and is situated in an urban environment. Based on historical fire data and local conditions, and in consultation with local fire departments, there is no significant risk of catastrophic wildfire resulting from overhead electrical lines and equipment within SVP’s service territory. Therefore, the WMP focuses on the management of five transmission assets outside of SVP’s service territory.
The City owns generation facilities and related transmission assets outside of SVP’s service territory. These include the following:
• The Grizzly Hydroelectric Project (Grizzly), a part of the Bucks Creek Project, FERC No. 619, located in Plumas County, California. To allow for the delivery of energy from Grizzly and interconnection to Pacific Gas & Electric’s transmission system, the City owns approximately 3.4 miles of a 115 kV generation tie line and other appurtenant facilities necessary. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) maintains the generation tie line. The generation tie line is in PG&E’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan.
• The Black Butte Hydroelectric Project (Black Butte), FERC No. 3190 dated May 5, 1983, and amended June 5, 1987. Through this project, the City owns a 9.5 mile long 60 kV generation tie line interconnecting Black Butte to PG&E’s existing 60 kV line near the city of Orland, California. SVP maintains the generation tie line.
• The Stoney Gorge Hydroelectric Project (Stoney Gorge), FERC No. 3193 dated July 15, 1983. Through this project, the City owns a one mile-long, 60 kV generation tie line connecting Stoney Gorge with PG&E’s Elk Creek Substation north of the powerhouse. SVP maintains the generation tie line.
• The High Line Canal Hydroelectric Project (High Line), FERC No. 7252 dated July 17, 1984. Through this project, the City owns an approximately 75 foot long 12 kV three phase generation tie line that interconnects with existing PG&E lines. SVP maintains the generation tie line.
• A 4.98 percent ownership interest in a 230 kV double circuit transmission line between Castle Rock Junction and Lakeville Substation in area known as the Geysers pursuant to co-tenancy agreement in the Castle Rock Junction-Lakeville 230 kV Transmission Line, dated June 1, 1984. This line allows for the transmission of the City’s share of energy from the Geyer’s Geothermal Generation Project. PG&E maintains the transmission line.
SVP used the 2018 California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Fire Threat Map (WMP Appendix A) and historical fire map data to determine the level of wildfire risk. The CPUC Fire-Threat Map has two tiers (Tier 2 fire threat area and Tier 3 fire threat area). Tier 2 fire-threat areas are areas where there is an elevated risk (including likelihood and potential impact on people and property) from utility associated wildfires. Tier 3 fire-threat areas are areas where there is an extreme risk (including likelihood and potential impact on people and property) from utility associated wildfires. Properties that are owned by the City but don’t have any generation, transmission lines, or distribution lines such as the Loyalton property are not part of the WMP.
DISCUSSION
Each year, SVP staff reviews the WMP to see if there are conditions that warrant changes to the plan. After the plan is reviewed, staff submits the plan for the City Council to approve. In connection with its approval of the WMP, staff reviewed the WMP to ensure its compliance with Public Utilities Code Section 8387 and other statutory requirements.
Once the WMP is approved by the City Council, the plan is then submitted to the California Wildfire Safety Advisory Board who is charged with reviewing wildfire mitigation plans and providing suggestions.
There were no significant changes to the 2024 WMP.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to section 15378(b)(2) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations as a continuing administrative activity (general policy and procedure making).
FISCAL IMPACT
The creation of an SVP Wildfire Mitigation Plan consolidates and formalizes established SVP preventive maintenance procedures and practices. Related expenses have been included in the Generation and Transmission and Distribution program operating budgets within the Utility Operations Division in the Electric Utility Fund.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Approve and adopt the Silicon Valley Power 2024 Wildfire Mitigation Plan with any comments and confirm that this plan complies with all applicable rules, regulations, and standards; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute and/or submit any and all documents, notices, disclosures, plans, reports, forecasts, filings, certifications, attestations, or declarations which are necessary, appropriate, advisable, or required by state or local agencies in connection with the 2024 Wildfire Mitigation Plan.
Staff
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Chief Electric Utility Officer
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Silicon Valley Power 2024 Wildfire Mitigation Plan