After years of discussion, attending public information meetings and writing letters it all comes down to this. Local residents have one last chance to voice their opposition against Southern California Edisonís proposed power line path that will stretch from east Visalia up to Lemon Cove.

Administrative Law Judge Hallie Yacknin, sitting for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), invites members of the public to make their views known regarding The Southern California Edison Companyís proposal at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Visalia Convention Center. Speakers at the public participation hearing may address any and all issues pertaining to the project.

The project would consist of the construction of a new, double-circuit 220-kV transmission line that would connect an existing 220-kV transmission line, located between SCEís hydro-electric facilities in the Sierras and SCEís Springville Substation east of Strathmore, into the Rector Substation, located southeast of Visalia. The project would allow SCE to increase its capacity to deliver electricity during periods of high demand.

Edison said that 19-mile long Alternative Route 1 is their preferred route because it is the least expensive of the routes and has the least amount of foreseen environmental impacts.

The transmission line would begin at Rector Substation and proceed north for one mile within SCEís existing right-of-way. SCE proposes to replace two existing single-circuit 220 kilovolt lines, currently side by side in the right-of-way, with one double circuit 220 kilovolt transmission line.

This would create sufficient space in the right-of-way to accommodate construction of the first mile of the new double-circuit 220 kilovolt transmission line. The remaining 18 miles of the proposed transmission line would be constructed within a new 100-foot wide right-of-way to be acquired by SCE and would run east until the line intersects with the Big Creek 3 ñ Springville 220 kilovolt transmission line located east of Lemon Cove and Highway 198. Modifications to this proposed transmission route include constructing the line at or near existing property lines, roads and electrical utility right-of-way where possible, and routing the line southeast of Lemon Cove.

The proposed transmission line would be constructed on approximately 108 tubular poles and 14 lattice steel towers ranging in height from 120 to 150 feet.

Since Edison submitted their project to the CPUC in late May residents have been filing protests. Filing protests are part of the process the CPUC undergoes when reviewing a proposed utility project. The CPUC is a state regulatory agency that sets electricity rates and issues permits for the construction of new and rebuilt transmission lines and substations.

The CPUC will review the project in compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act and will seek public comment on the project.

Southern California Edison submitted an application in May with Proposed Route #1 as their power line path. Thus began whatís called a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity Process (CPCN). The CPCN Review coincides with the California Environmental Quality Act Process (CEQA).

While the CPCN Review focuses on rates, market competition and structure, needs of people and other economic factors, the CEQA looks only at environmental considerations such as mitigation measures and public awareness to environmental impacts, as well as other alternatives.

Public workshops and public scoping meetings have been held over the course of the summer months into September.

But this meeting will be the last before the CPUC goes to make their draft conclusion.

In January of next year a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be circulated for 45 days for agency and public comment. Public comment meetings are scheduled for February. The CPUC will consider and respond to comments and publish their final EIR in April. In May they will either approve the Project as filed, approve the project with modifications or deny the project. If approved, construction of the project is estimated for completion in 2011.

The CPUC Pubic Advisorís Office provides procedural information and advice to groups and individuals who want to comment or advocate positions in the CPUCís formal proceedings. The Public Advisorís staff helps answer questions, locate information or refer callers to the appropriate staff person as well as attend community functions and assist the public in participating in town hall meetings, etc. The San Joaquin Valley Loop Project case number is A0805039.

For more information call (866) 849-8390. Direct questions about the project to Jensen Uchida, Project Manager, CPUC c/o Environmental Science Associates, (415) 962-8409, sjxvl@esassoc.com or Judy Cooper, Public Advisors Office, CPUC, (415) 703-2188 or jms@cpuc.ca.gov.

The Visalia Convention Center is located at 303 E. Acequia Avenue in Visalia. The meeting will take place in the A/B room. A prehearing conference will take place at 1:30 p.m. The prehearing conference will identify the issues to be addressed, the schedule of the formal proceeding, and other procedural matters pursuant to Rule 7.2 of the CPUCís Rules of Practice and Procedure. The prehearing conference will focus on these procedural matters with respect to the review of project need and costs and the integration of the environmental review, which is separately conducted pursuant to the CEQA, into the formal proceeding.

The public participation hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. The public participation hearing provides an opportunity for interested members of the public to make their views known to the CPUC. Comments at the public participation hearing may address all issues pertaining to the proposed project, including environmental issues as well as project need and costs.

Farmersville will be hosting a pre-hearing informational meeting at 5 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Farmersville City Council Chambers, 909 W. Visalia Road. For more information call 733-4844.

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