Draft and Final EIRs were completed in 2003 for this highly controversial 27-mile transmission project. Electric and magnetic fields (EMF) and visual impacts were major issues of concern as well as a wide range of biological resources (e.g., serpentine grassland) that could be affected in the overhead portion of the route. There was high public involvement, especially from residences along the southern segment of the route along the I-280 corridor.

Aspen set up and facilitated four public scoping meetings in January and February 2003 to receive input regarding the scope and content of this EIR, as well as alternatives and mitigation measures that should be considered. Aspen incorporated these public comments and team impact analyses into the screening of over 38 transmission routing and non-wires alternatives for a comprehensive Alternative Screening Report, presented as an appendix to the EIR. In April 2003, a comprehensive Scoping Report was issued and 81 copies were distributed, summarizing issues and concerns received from the public and various agencies and presenting copies of all 230 written comments received.

Aspen mailed nearly 9,000 Notices of Release (NOR) of the Draft EIR in July 2003. We held four informal workshops to discuss the Draft EIR results with interested public. We attended and provided informational material and support for six public hearings in August and December 2003 at which oral comments were presented on the Draft and Final EIRs. The Draft EIR was published in July 2003 and received over 800 pages of comment letters, including testimony recorded at four Public Participation Hearings.

Throughout the entire EIR process, Aspen maintained the project website and answered questions and comments received from the public via email, fax, or on the dedicated project voicemail line. Aspen also developed newspaper announcements, established 16 document repositories, and ensured that the State Clearinghouse was properly notified throughout the CEQA process.

The three-volume Final EIR was over 2,700 pages with almost 200 graphics and was published in November 2003. The EIR included the detailed Alternatives Screening Report of over 200 pages. The Final EIR presented over 800 pages of comments on the Draft EIR, with responses to those comments.