Lee Vining License Process Updates

Dear Lee Vining Relicensing Participants -

As we have been discussing, SCE is preparing to file its PAD in early to mid-August. We are still tweaking study plans which we will share as soon as possible and are also in the process of drafting our rationale for utilizing FERC’s Traditional Licensing Process (TLP). We are asking for any final input you have on this process and on how we can make it a success: what are your outstanding questions, if any, about how SCE intends to implement the TLP? Does your organization support SCE’s proposed use of the TLP in this relicensing process?

Please submit any comments you have on SCE’s use of the TLP by COB July 26. We will include those comments, along with SCE’s responses (as appropriate) with the PAD when it is filed with FERC. Note that commenting at this time does not preclude you responding to FERC’s request for comments, when it is issued.

As a reminder, FERC’s threshold for granting use of TLP is the following:

(A) Likelihood of timely license issuance;

(B) Complexity of the resource issues;

(D) Relative cost of the traditional process compared to the integrated process;

(E) The amount of available information and potential for significant disputes over studies; and

(F) Other factors believed by the applicant to be pertinent.

While SCE appreciates there are resource issues to navigate in this process, we believe that the Technical Working Group (TWG) process has been working well. The draft study plans that we have collaborated on appear to be narrowing the range of outstanding questions to be resolved in the study plan process, and please be assured that there will be ample time for you to request or comment on study plans following issuance of the PAD.

Moreover, we believe that the flexibility of the TLP for the Lee Vining Project relicensing will be important as we all engage in other processes that may compete for our time (e.g., Rush Creek, Bishop Creek, and Lundy).

We’ve enjoyed getting to know you and developing a better understanding of your perspectives and priorities for the relicensing of the Lee Vining Project. As we look beyond the filing of the PAD and NOI within the next few weeks, we look forward to starting this new phase of relicensing. Please feel free to call Matthew Woodhall at (626) 302-9596 or Finlay Anderson (503) 345-7956 with any additional questions.

Thanks and have a great weekend!

Carissa Shoemaker

Senior Project Scientist