Egbert Switching Station Project (on hold)

PG&E plans to build the Egbert Switching Station Project to increase the reliability of the electric transmission system that supplies power to San Francisco. It will also reduce the risk of widespread power outages throughout the City.

The project will reroute existing electric 230,000-volt (230kV) transmission lines around one of the Peninsula’s major energy hubs to a new switching station. The new facilities will provide an additional electrical path around the hub.

The project will be comprised of two parts: (1) the Egbert Switching Station; and (2) the new transmission lines to be connected to existing transmission lines at and nearby PG&E’s Martin Substation.

Egbert Switching Station Site Construction

The new Egbert Switching Station will occupy approximately two acres and will be located at 1755 Egbert Avenue in San Francisco, where Egbert Avenue dead ends at the CalTrain tracks. Once constructed, much of the equipment will be contained within the new building.

Egbert Switching Station Construction Route

In addition to Egbert Switching Station, approximately 3.9 miles of new electric transmission lines will be added to bypass the current hub and provide an additional electrical path around the hub. The rerouted 230kV transmission lines are planned to go underground, mostly beneath city streets.

In March 2015, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) Board of Governors approved the project and directed PG&E to identify locations for a new switching station and backup electric transmission lines. In late 2017, PG&E submitted an application to the California Public Utilities Commission* (CPUC) which identified the proposed switching station site on Egbert Avenue. This application included the proposed transmission line routes and alternative sites and routes. The CPUC then evaluated the site and route alternatives. They ultimately decided on the Egbert site as the environmentally superior project option following public meetings on the subject.

On June 25, 2020, the CPUC completed their CEQA review and granted PG&E a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the project. The CPUC also filed a CEQA Notice of Determination for the Project on June 30, 2020. The CPUC environmental review documents can be found at the CPUC website.

On October 21, 2021, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a Notice to Proceed, authorizing PG&E to move ahead with the Egbert Switching Station Project.

*The CPUC Board is Board is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate.

During the CEQA process, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) evaluated several potential sites for the new switching station and associated transmission line routes within a two-mile radius of PG&E’s existing Martin Substation in Daly City. After their thorough evaluation, the best alternatives were ranked based on environmental and community considerations. The site on Egbert Avenue in San Francisco and associated transmission line routes had the highest land-use compatibility with the least amount of environmental impacts.

The CPUC ultimately decided on the Egbert site as the environmentally superior project. You can view it on the Overview map.

Constructing this new path will increase the reliability of the electric transmission system that powers the homes and businesses in the City and County of San Francisco. In addition, the new hub and transmission lines will help reduce the risk of widespread power outages in San Francisco and help shore-up system resilience by providing an alternative power source to the area.

Initial construction of the 230kV transmission lines took place between January and September 2022, when work was paused due to budget constraints and other infrastructure hardening priorities. Impacted areas in Daly City, San Francisco’s Visitacion Valley and a corner of Brisbane were fully restored prior to demobilization.

There is no anticipated restart date for the project, however, PG&E is committed to notifying area businesses and residents before resuming work.

This electric infrastructure project includes the construction of a new 230,000-volt (230kV) switching station and connections to existing underground transmission lines. The project will provide a system backup with the construction of a new electrical bypass around one of the key electrical hubs on the San Francisco Peninsula.

PG&E is committed to strengthening system resiliency and resolving reliability concerns to help meet the needs of the region’s growing population. The project gives the local electric system greater flexibility and independence to adapt to a potential prolonged loss of service.

After evaluating several potential sites within a two-mile radius of PG&E’s existing Martin Substation, the site located at 1755 Egbert Avenue in San Francisco was chosen because it had the highest land-use compatibility. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) determined the final project components and location following public meetings on the subject, shown on the overview map.

Initial construction of the 230kV transmission lines took place between January and September 2022, when work was paused due to budget constraints and other infrastructure hardening priorities. At this time, there is no anticipated date for work to resume.

When work resumes, it is expected to take approximately two years to complete.

The security of our facilities is a top priority. We’re committed to using safety and security measures that meet the highest established standards for critical infrastructure protection.

Until the new switching station is built, perimeter fencing and screening fabric has been installed at the site. PG&E Corporate Security also conducts regular field checks to monitor the site.

Once constructed, the new switching station will include secure gates and intrusion detection systems.

PG&E is dedicated to planning, constructing and operating the project with minimal impact to the environment and local community. When developing projects, we work with applicable local, state and federal agencies—as well as environmental organizations and communities—to ensure the project is planned in a manner that minimizes and avoids environmental impacts while complying with applicable standards and requirements.

Prior to the pause in work, all areas were fully restored and equipment demobilized. A soil-binding agent was applied to topsoil to minimize dust, and waddle was added along the perimeter to minimize erosion and stormwater runoff during this pause in work.

PG&E plans to enclose the switching station equipment in a building or within walls. The associated transmission lines are to be installed underground and so will not be visible.

We have worked with a local architect to design a building that will enclose the major switching station components. The architect produced a design that contextually fits the existing neighborhood and what is envisioned for the future.

PG&E is dedicated to planning, constructing and operating the project in a manner that minimizes visual and environmental impacts. We understand and respect customer concerns about any impact to the quality of life in the existing neighborhoods around potential projects.

PG&E looked for sites in areas with existing commercial and industrial uses. Our goal was to utilize land that is vacant or under-developed. We identified sites:

1. Where the equipment would fit;
2. Where screening and setbacks of structures would be allowed; and
3. That were located within a reasonable distance to existing transmission lines.

Other considerations include:

• Impacts to local communities
• Compatibility with established infrastructure and land uses
• Sensitive resource and habitat areas
• Length of new transmission line
• Constructability and engineering conflicts

Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMFs) are present anywhere an electric current is present and can be found in homes, offices and schools. PG&E recognizes customer concerns about EMFs related to power lines and substations.

Protecting the health and safety of the local community is of the utmost importance to PG&E. We are committed to fully comply with all CPUC EMF policies—the most comprehensive in the United States and supported by scientific research.

PG&E provides free magnetic field measurements upon request, EMF health literature and support for EMF research. For more information, please visit our EMF page.

Initial construction of the 230kV transmission lines took place between January and September 2022, when work was paused due to budget constraints and other infrastructure hardening priorities. At this time, there is no anticipated date for work to resume.

Work is expected to take approximately two years once it resumes, and PG&E is committed to notifying the community well in advance of that happening.

The CPUC determined the final project components and location. PG&E is working closely with city and county officials in San Francisco, Daly City, Brisbane, plus other public agencies, to ensure that local needs and priorities are carefully considered throughout the process. While there is currently no anticipated restart date for the project, PG&E is committed to notifying area businesses and residents before resuming work.