Project Description
McCullough-Victorville (MCC-VIC) Transmission Lines 1 and 2 are two existing 500 kilovolt (kV) electrical power lines supported on approximately 1,740 single-circuit towers, and spanning over 160 miles from McCullough Switching Station in Nevada, through several mountain ranges, into the Mojave Desert and ending at the Victorville Switching Station in California. This project supports LADWP’s goal to transition to a clean energy future, with ongoing efforts to transition from coal to renewable energy, influenced by Los Angeles City Council’s vote in 2021 to commit to 100% carbon- free energy. In 1936, LADWP placed the first MCC-VIC Transmission Line in service as a 287.5 kV transmission line and then the second MCC-VIC Transmission Line was placed in service in 1939. In 1970, one line was upgraded to 500 kV and then in 1980 the second line was upgraded accordingly.
These transmission lines are a part of 14 high voltage transmission lines that run on the West of River (WOR) Path 46, from southeast California and Nevada up to the Colorado River.
Purpose
Increase LADWP’s share of transmission capacity on West of River (WOR) Path 46 through
• Transmission line improvements to increase the rating and capacity;
• Allows for delivery of additional renewable energy from the East territory region;
• Increases energy transmission capacity by 475 megawatts (MW) which is equivalent to powering 300,000 homes for one year.
Scope
• Retrofit existing towers & conductors;
• Replace insulators & hardware assemblies;
• Replace & repair tower foundations;
• Repair existing roads
Environmental Review Process
Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), state and local government agencies are required to inform other agencies and members of the public about the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project, and to reduce or mitigate those impacts to the extent feasible. As the lead agency, LADWP has prepared an Initial Study and determined that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is the appropriate environmental document needed to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project. A Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a Draft EIR and Public Scoping Meeting has been prepared along with the Initial Study and can be accessed in Environmental Reports starting April 1, 2024.
Project Schedule
Preliminary construction surveys and inspections for the Proposed Project are projected to begin around April 2025. Construction is anticipated to begin mid-2026 and continue through late 2028.
Public Scoping Meeting
LADWP welcomes public participation and held a virtual Public Scoping Meeting at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
The scoping meeting can be attended via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WMVhYkY9SoO6RkYyClBX1w or by phone dial: +1 (669) 444-9171 / Meeting ID: 883 9764 2475 at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Or by QR code.
As a reminder, members of the public who wish to submit a comment as part of the CEQA record can do so by mail or email. Please send comments to the following:
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Environmental Planning and Assessment
Attn: Matthew Kerby
111 North Hope Street, Room 1044
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Please remember to include your name and return address so that you can be added to the project mailing list for future project notifications. Your name, address, and comments become public information and may be released to interested parties if requested.
Please ensure that comments are postmarked or emailed on or before May 1, 2024, the end of the public comment period.
Contact
Project Manager
Nwaoha Lumumba
213-367-3306
[email protected]
Community Affairs
Terinn Holman
213-948-6389
[email protected]