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New Central Valley Power Line To Be Built

PG&E, MidAmerican Transmission, Citizens Energy Corporation to develop 70-mile electric transmission line

New 220kw line will bring power, much of it solar ,into Central Valley

New 230kV line will bring power, much of it solar,into the Central Valley. Besides power generated west of the SJ Valley in SLO County for example, the new line will help move new planned solar power generated in the future in the Central  Valley itself – getting it to the population centers.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), MidAmerican Transmission, LLC (MidAmerican Transmission) and Citizens Energy Corporation (Citizens Energy) have been chosen by the California Independent System Operator Corporation (ISO) to develop, own and operate a new transmission line in the Central Valley region of California.

The 230-kilovolt (kV) line will span about 70 miles across Fresno, Madera and Kings counties, running from the Gates to Gregg substations, which are owned and operated by PG&E. Approved by the ISO to address the growing power demand in the greater Fresno area, the new line will help reduce the number and duration of power outages, create jobs and support economic development, and bolster efforts to integrate clean, renewable energy onto the grid. The transmission line would be operational no later than 2022, and could come on line earlier.

In their analysis the ISO said that:

This proposed transmission configuration will provide a reliable means to pump water at Helms during dry year conditions in order to generate the next day without jeopardizing load reliability during peak periods, it will also provide a great increase in Helms pumping window in order to facilitate with the daily load and renewable balancing cycle, while minimizing environmental impacts in the PG&E service territory.( see map)
Courtright Reservoir

Courtright Reservoir

The Helms power plant above Fresno operates by moving water between two reservoirs, an upper and a lower. When energy demand is high, water is released from the upper reservoir to the plant where electricity is generated before the water is discharged into the lower reservoir. When demand is low at times such as night, water is then pumped back up to the upper reservoir to be used as stored energy for a later time. This is accomplished by pump-generators which serve a dual role as both pumps which can reverse into generators. The plant can go from a stand still to operational in eight minutes which allows it to meet peak energy demand. It consumes more electricity pumping versus generating electricity but pumping occurs during periods of low demand, making the plant economical.

“This new transmission line not only will enable PG&E to safely, reliably and affordably serve our customers in the Central Valley, it will create new much needed jobs in the region,” said Geisha Williams, executive vice president of electric operations at PG&E. “The greater Fresno area is recognized nationally as a leader in agricultural business, and PG&E is pleased to partner with MidAmerican Transmission and Citizens Energy to modernize the region’s electric system in order to enhance California’s long-term economic vitality.”

“Today’s energy infrastructure is adapting to meet the demands for greater renewable sources, while continuing the reliable service to customers,” said John Cupparo, president, MidAmerican Transmission. “This collaboration with PG&E and Citizens Energy is evidence of MidAmerican Transmission’s continued investment to ensure that California’s energy infrastructure keeps pace with these evolving demands.”

“We’re proud to work with PG&E and MidAmerican Transmission on this terrific project and look forward to sharing the benefits of our work with the low-income families of the Central Valley,” said Citizens Energy Chairman and President Joseph P. Kennedy II.

The ISO approved the project during its annual Transmission Planning Process in March. The ISO chose the consortium of PG&E, MidAmerican Transmission and Citizens Energy over four other qualified bidders in a competitive process. The project is the second to be approved under new ISO rules that require certain new transmission projects be subject to competition.

The project will need to undergo an approval process through the California Public Utilities Commission. PG&E, MidAmerican Transmission and Citizens Energy will work collaboratively with local stakeholders to determine the optimal routing of the line as part of the approval process.

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Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to 15 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/ and www.pgecurrents.com.

MidAmerican Transmission, a wholly owned subsidiary of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, is engaged in the development of electric transmission facilities. MidAmerican Transmission has invested in transmission in several regions in the U.S. and is evaluating opportunities to further develop electric transmission facilities in organized and traditional markets in the U.S. and Canada. MidAmerican Transmission has formed a subsidiary, MidAmerican Central California Transco, to participate in the consortium. Additional information about MidAmerican Transmission is available at www.midamericantransmission.com.

Through its subsidiaries, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company provides electric and natural gas service to more than 7 million customers worldwide, operates an extensive 18,000-mile electric transmission system, a natural gas local distribution system, and interstate natural gas pipeline systems totaling nearly 17,000 miles. Learn more at www.midamerican.com.

Citizens Energy Corporation was launched in 1979 by Joseph P. Kennedy II to use revenues from successful oil industry ventures to help lower the cost of heating for senior citizens and low-income families suffering from the petroleum price shocks of the time. The non-profit company expanded operations into the natural gas and electric power industries, all the while using its profits to help the poor. In addition, Citizens Energy started successful ventures in the pharmaceutical drug and health care fields, lowering the costs of life-saving drugs and medical care for ordinary working families. While still providing heating assistance in 26 states, Citizens has launched innovative wind, solar, and transmission businesses to help make life’s basic needs more affordable for the poor.

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)

 

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