NOTICE OF INSIGNIFICANT PROJECT CHANGE
(Relocate Segment of Natural Gas Pipeline)
COSUMNES POWER PLANT PROJECT
(01-AFC-19C)

The Cosumnes Power Plant (CPP) project is a nominal 1000 megawatt (MW) natural gas-fired, combined-cycle electric generating facility located approximately 25 miles southeast of the City of Sacramento, in Sacramento County. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), project owner and operator, is proposing to construct the project in two 500 MW phases. The total project will be located on approximately 30-acres of an overall 2,480-acre site owned by SMUD.

Phase 1 of the project was certified on September 9, 2003, and SMUD commenced construction on October 31, 2003, with approximately 16 percent of the construction completed. Phase 1 is scheduled to be on line in September 2005. SMUD will decide at a later date whether or not to seek approval to proceed with the construction of Phase 2.

On April 8, 2004, the Energy Commission staff received a petition to modify the project description for the CPP project (Phase 1), specifically; SMUD wants the option of relocating a one-mile segment of the natural gas pipeline.

DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS: The 26-mile natural gas pipeline, approved on September 9, 2003, as a part of the certification for CPP, will provide natural gas to the facility. SMUD is seeking approval to relocate a one-mile segment of the natural gas pipe line alignment along Franklin Boulevard in the City of Elk Grove (City) to comply with the City's encroachment permit.

Originally, the one-mile segment was to be located on the eastern, northbound side of Franklin Boulevard between Elk Grove Boulevard and Poppy Ridge Road. It is now proposed to be located a few feet to the west of the centerline of Franklin Boulevard in the southbound lane between Elk Grove Boulevard and Poppy Ridge Road. The relocation is approximately 30 feet outside of the approved pipeline corridor.

Relocating the one-mile segment is requested by the City as a provision of issuing an encroachment permit. The City maintains that the revised southbound lane alignment will have less conflict with the construction and maintenance of other underground pipelines in the street.

Pursuant to section 1769(a)(2), Title 20, California Code of Regulations, Energy Commission approval for this change is not required if Energy Commission staff determines: 1) that there is no possibility that the modification may have a significant effect on the environment, and 2) that the modification will not result in a change or deletion of a condition of certification, or make changes that would cause the project not to comply with applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, or standards. Energy Commission staff has determined that the proposed modification to the natural gas pipeline meets these criteria because:

• Existing conditions of certification are sufficient to cover the proposed change without changes to or deletion of a condition of certification;


• The slight relocation of the gas pipeline will not have any significant effect on the environment and will avoid impacts to wetland areas that the original one-mile segment would traverse;


• The relocation of the gas pipeline will allow the project to remain in compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, regulations or standards; and


• The option to move a one-mile segment of the pipeline will be a benefit for SMUD and the public for the following reasons: 1) it is the preferred route for the City of Elk Grove and will potentially reduce the construction and maintenance conflicts between the City and SMUD, 2) it will be easier for SMUD to install and maintain the gas pipeline, 3) and it will alleviate the need to acquire an easement across one parcel of private land.

If you object to staff's determination, please submit the objection in writing to Ms. Jeri Zene Scott, Compliance Project Manager, at the address above, or by fax at (916) 654-3882, or via e-mail at jscott@energy.state.ca.us. If no objection is received by Monday, April 26, 2004, at 5:00 P.M., the requested change will be approved.

This Notice is also posted on the Energy Commission's website at
www.energy.ca.gov/siting.

If you have questions, please contact Ms. Jeri Zene Scott at (916) 654-4228.