Pacific Gas & Electric Company Submits Revised Conditions for Rollins Transmission Line Project

Strategic Insights -

The Pacific Gas & Electric Company has submitted a document to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the Rollins Transmission Line Project. The submission includes concurrence with revised 4(e) Conditions No. 27 and 5 for the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, respectively. The revised conditions replace the updated Bald Eagle Management Plan with a Nesting Bird Measure, which was developed in coordination with PG&E. Additionally, PG&E is requesting FERC's approval of the Fire Prevention and Response Plan, which was completed in March 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) has submitted a document to FERC regarding the Rollins Transmission Line Project, including concurrence with revised 4(e) Conditions No. 27 and 5 for the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, respectively.
  • The revised conditions replace the updated Bald Eagle Management Plan with a Nesting Bird Measure, which was developed in coordination with PG&E.
  • The Nesting Bird Measure requires PG&E to establish a Limited Operating Period (LOP) for California spotted owl, northern goshawk, and general nesting bird species within one year of FERC approval of the measure.
  • PG&E must abide by the established LOP unless species-specific surveys determine that there is no nesting activity or occupancy within designated activity centers.
  • PG&E completed the Fire Prevention and Response Plan in March 2025 and requests FERC's approval of the Plan.
  • The Plan was developed in consultation with the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management.
  • The Rollins Transmission Line Project includes 5.1 acres of federal lands managed by the BLM (0.72 acre) and the USFS's Tahoe National Forest (4.45 acres).

Statistics:

  • 5.1 acres of federal lands are included in the Rollins Transmission Line Project, managed by the BLM (0.72 acre) and the USFS's Tahoe National Forest (4.45 acres).
  • 38 Final 4(e) Terms and Conditions from the USFS and 35 Final 4(e) Terms and Conditions from the BLM pertain to the Deer Creek-Drum Project.
  • The nesting bird measure requires PG&E to establish an LOP for California spotted owl, northern goshawk, and general nesting bird species within one year of FERC approval.

Sources:

  • Letter from Pacific Gas & Electric Company to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, dated May 15, 2025.
  • FERC Order, dated November 18, 2021.
  • USFS Final 4(e) Conditions No. 27.
  • BLM Final 4(e) Conditions No. 5.
  • Attachment 1: Forest Service filed Nesting Bird Measure.
  • Attachment 2: BLM filed Nesting Bird Measure.
  • Attachment 3: Final Fire Prevention and Response Plan.
  • Attachment 4: Forest Service approval of the Fire Prevention and Response Plan.
  • Attachment 5: BLM approval of the Fire Prevention and Response Plan.