Section 1005.1 Of Article 1. Specified Utilities From California Public Utilities Code >> Division 1. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 1.
1005.1
. (a) The commission shall issue a decision on an application
for a certificate within 18 months of the date of filing of the
completed application, when all of the following are true:
(1) The application is for a certificate for building or upgrading
an electrical transmission line that the commission finds necessary
to provide transmission to load centers for electricity generated in
a high priority renewable energy zone or is reasonably necessary to
facilitate achievement of the renewables portfolio standard
established in Article 16 (commencing with Section 399.11) of Chapter
2.3.
(2) The commission has considered all of the following:
(A) The utilization of rights-of-way by upgrading existing
transmission facilities instead of building new transmission
facilities, where technically and economically justifiable.
(B) The expansion of existing rights-of-way, if technically and
economically feasible, when construction of new transmission lines is
required.
(C) The creation of new rights-of-way when justified by
environmental, technical, and economic reasons.
(D) The availability of cost-effective alternatives to
transmission, such as energy efficiency measures and distributed
generation.
(3) The commission has not expressly found any of the following:
(A) That the investment is not reasonable and necessary to
maintain or enhance reliability of the transmission grid.
(B) That the building or upgrading of the electrical transmission
line will not maintain or enhance efficient use of the transmission
grid.
(C) That the transmission line fails to meet other applicable
standards and requirements for approval and construction.
(b) An extension of time may be granted by the commission if it
finds the extension is necessary for completion of review pursuant to
the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing
with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).