HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 SCE REQ FOR RULE MODS 04-21-09Agenda Item 10
AGENDA REPORT Reviewed:
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~~~~~ ~ City Manager
Finance Director N/A
MEETING DATE: APRIL 21, 2009
TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: DOUGLAS HOLLAND, CITY ATTORNEY
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON REQUEST FOR RULE
MODIFICATIONS TO ACCOMMODATE SCE'S INITIATIVE TO INSTALL
ABOVE-GROUND EQUIPMENT IN SCE'S UNDERGROUND
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS WHENEVER FEASIBLE
SUMMARY:
Southern California Edison (SCE) has filed an "Advice" with the Public Utilities
Commission (PUC) advising the PUC of an SCE initiative that would effectively
eliminate underground installation of electrical equipment, including transformers, for
distribution systems. Once this "initiative" is implemented, SCE will only accept designs
for installation of this equipment in above-ground enclosures. Although SCE professes
a desire to locate such facilities on private property, the default location of such facilities
will be the public right-of-way. This "initiative" will adversely affect the ability of the City
to require or negotiate for placement of these facilities underground.
The date of this Advice is April 14, 2009 and it was received on April 16, 2009. The
deadline for comment and/or protest is May 4, 2009. The City Council meeting of April
21 is the last date the Council can authorize a response or protest.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Attorney's Office in
conjunction with the Community Development and Public Works Departments to file a
protest with the PUC, outlining the City's concerns and requesting that the proposed
initiative require SCE to fully comply with all local ordinances in the placement of
electrical distribution systems and facilities in the public rights-of-way.
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Douglas Holland ~
City Attorney