San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has energized and is now using the new East County (ECO) substation as an integral part of the utility’s electric transmission system.
The ECO Substation project was designed to enhance electric reliability in the region and to help facilitate the delivery of renewable wind and solar energy to SDG&E customers. It includes a new 58 acre state-of-the-art substation in Jacumba, an upgraded substation in Boulevard, and a 14-mile transmission line connecting the two substations.
Dudek prepared the environmental impact report/environmental impact statement (EIR/EIS) for the ECO substation working for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
The EIR/EIS considered more than 40 alternatives developed during the public scoping process and carries forward for full analysis 12 project alternatives. Additionally, the EIR/EIS evaluates other generator applications (including four energy projects totaling over 300 MW) in the project area, having impacts considered to overlap or interact with those of the proposed project.
Construction began on the approximately $435 million project in May 2013 and the 500kV transmission substation in Jacumba was completed about one year later in June 2014. Construction recently wrapped up on the reconstruction and modernization of the existing Boulevard substation which was built more than 60 years ago. Both the reconstructed Boulevard substation and new 14-mile 138kV transmission line connecting the two new substations were placed into service last week.