Wheeler Ridge Junction Project

If approved by the California Public Utilities Commission, this project will include the construction of a new substation, enhancements to existing substations and upgrades to about 30 miles of existing transmission lines that serve about 100,000 customers in and around Bakersfield.

In early 2017, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), which is responsible for managing California’s energy grid, informed PG&E that it was reassessing dozens of previously approved projects throughout California, including the Wheeler Ridge Junction Project, formerly known as Bakersfield Power Connect.

In March 2018, the CAISO Board decided that there would be no changes to the Wheeler Ridge Junction Project scope. The project will now progress as planned to help ensure continued electric reliability and efficiency across the region, and a permit application for the Wheeler Ridge Project will be filed with the California Public Utilities Commission this spring.

The project is a key component of our efforts to meet the needs of the region's residents and growing economy. Many of the transmission lines currently serving the area were built in the early 1960s. Since then, the population has more than tripled, and the region's economy, led by the agricultural, industrial, and oil and gas sectors, has grown significantly. By 2023, it is expected that a majority of power lines in the area could be beyond capacity. Without new investments in the local electric system, the community runs the risk of having an overloaded system in which a power outage in one neighborhood could leave the larger area without power.

After an extensive route screening, environmental assessment, and community outreach process,   PG&E has selected a proposed location for the new substation on property it owns at [location]. A final location for the project will be decided when the permit application is approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The permit application is expected to be submitted this spring. If approved by the CPUC, this project will include the construction of a new substation, enhancements to existing substations and upgrades to about 30 miles of existing transmission lines that serve about 100,000 customers in and around Bakersfield.

PG&E is dedicated to minimizing impacts to the environment and local community. Our planning and regulatory process includes a comprehensive community outreach program and thorough assessment of environmental issues to solicit feedback and identify impacts. Prior to CAISO’s reassessment, we were engaging community stakeholders throughout the process and identifying potential sites based on their proximity to existing transmission lines and ranked based on a stringent set of criteria. Criteria included conflicts with established land uses and infrastructure; effects on agricultural operations; sensitive resource and habitat areas; length of new transmission line needed for required interconnection; constructability and engineering conflicts; cost considerations; and impacts to nearby communities. Pending CAISO’s reassessment, PG&E will continue to request feedback from the community as sites are further refined, just as we did to develop the initial list of potential sites.

PG&E is dedicated to planning, constructing and operating the project in a manner that minimizes impacts to the environment and local community. When developing project alternatives, PG&E takes into account local noise and lighting standards, and works with applicable local, state and federal agencies, as well as environmental organizations, to ensure the new substation is planned in a manner that minimizes, and where possible avoids, environmental impacts. During construction, state-of-the-art equipment will be used to ensure safety and reduce air quality impacts.

Our customers count on us to make our facilities safe, secure and reliable, and our employees are guided by a company pledge to always put safety first. We are committed to implementing safety and security measures at the new substation that meet the highest established standards for critical infrastructure protection, including protective perimeter fencing, proper signage, fence alarms, card restricted access to the site, motion sensors, 24/7 video surveillance and perimeter lighting, as well as advanced network firewalls for telecommunications systems.

PG&E will submit a permit application to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) this spring. Once the project has been approved, a full project timeline, including expected completion, will be identified.

In early 2017, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), which is responsible for managing California’s energy grid, informed PG&E that it was reassessing dozens of previously approved projects throughout California, including the Wheeler Ridge Junction Project, formerly known as Bakersfield Power Connect.

In March 2018, the CAISO Board decided that there would be no changes to the Wheeler Ridge Junction Project scope. The project will now progress as planned to help ensure continued electric reliability and efficiency across the region, and a permit application will be submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) this spring. If approved by the CPUC, this project will include the construction of a new substation, enhancements to existing substations and upgrades to about 30 miles of existing transmission lines that serve about 100,000 customers in and around Bakersfield.