The California Energy Commission's 2004-2005 Integrated Energy Policy Report Committee (Committee) will conduct a workshop to seek public comment on the draft staff white paper entitled, Upgrading California's Electric Transmission System: Issues and Actions for 2004 and Beyond. Commissioner John L. Geesman is the Presiding Member, and Commissioner James D. Boyd is the Associate Member of the Committee.

The workshop will be held:

AUGUST 23, 2004
Starting at 9 a.m.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY BUILDING
1001 I Street
Second Floor, Coastal Room Central Valley Room
Please note correction!!
Sacramento, California
(Wheelchair Accessible)

For audio and video broadcast over the Internet. Please go to: [www.energy.ca.gov/webcast]

Availability of Draft Staff White Paper

The draft staff white paper addresses the following topics on long-term transmission planning in the state:

• Capturing the strategic benefits of transmission projects.


• Use of a social discount rate for evaluating the economics of transmission projects.


• Planning for transmission corridors.


• Adequate evaluation of alternatives to transmission projects.


• The importance and status of transmission projects currently under review.

The staff draft white paper is available from the Energy Commission's website at: www.energy.ca.gov/2004_policy_update/documents/. Parties may obtain a printed copy by contacting Kristy Chew at (916) 654-3929.

The Committee is seeking the active participation of all interested parties in discussing the draft staff white paper. The workshop agenda and questions for the workshop will be posted during the week of August 2nd on the Energy Commission's website [www.energy.ca.gov/2004_policy_update/documents/]. Written responses to the specific questions or other comments may be submitted in advance of the workshop or as reply comments by September 2, 2004 (see below).

Background

The Energy Commission adopts an Integrated Energy Policy Report every two years and updates the report every other year. In the 2003 Integrated Energy Policy Report, the Energy Commission stated that modernizing and upgrading the bulk transmission grid should be a centerpiece of the state's electricity planning process. The Committee's purpose is to ensure that grid expansions are made on a timely basis while considering statewide objectives in determining transmission investments that best meet California's needs.

Written Comments

The Energy Commission encourages members of the public to submit specific written comments on the draft staff white paper and workshop questions. Written comments submitted before the workshop are requested by close of business August 20, 2004. Written comments may also be submitted at the workshop, and interested parties will have the opportunity to submit reply comments following the workshop until September 2, 2004.

Interested Parties may file a single copy electronically with the Docket Unit and follow up with an original copy by mail. The Energy Commission encourages comments by e-mail so that they may be posted on the Energy Commission's Energy Report proceeding website. If you cannot send comments by e-mail, please provide an original and12 copies by mail or in person to the Energy Commission's Docket Unit. All written materials filed with the Docket Unit will become part of the public record in this proceeding.

If filing comments by e-mail, please send one e-mail to [docket@energy.state.ca.us] with "03-IEP-01 - Transmission" as the subject line and follow up with one original copy to the address below. Otherwise, please send or deliver written materials to:

California Energy Commission
Re: Docket No. 03-IEP-01 - Transmission
Docket Unit, MS-4
1516 Ninth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814-5504

Public Participation

The Energy Commission's Public Adviser, Margret J. Kim, provides the public assistance in participating in Energy Commission activities. If you would like information on how to participate in this workshop, please contact the Public Adviser's Office by phone at (916) 654-4489 or toll free at (800) 822-6228, by FAX at (916) 654-4493, or by e-mail at [pao@energy.state.ca.us]. If you have a disability and require assistance to participate in this workshop, please contact Lou Quiroz at (916) 654-5146 at least five days in advance. Directions to the California Environmental Protection Agency Building can be found at: [www.calepa.ca.gov/EPAbldg/location.htm]. To participate via telephone or e-mail during the hearing, please call: (888) 658-8648 (passcode: 30284) or send e-mail to: [IEPRHearing@energy.state.ca.us]. Please note: the telephone number and e-mail are available only during the hearing.

Technical questions should be directed to Don Kondoleon of the Engineering Office at (916) 654-3918 or by email at [dkondole@energy.state.ca.us]. News media inquiries should be directed to Claudia Chandler, Assistant Executive Director, at (916) 654-4989 or by email at [mediaoffice@energy.state.ca.us].

JOHN L. GEESMAN Commissioner and Presiding Member 2004-2005 Integrated Energy Policy Report Committee

JAMES D. BOYD Commissioner and Associate Member 2004-2005 Integrated Energy Policy Report Committee

Mail Lists: IEPR