SECTION 4.0

ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION

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PROPOSED PROJECT

4.12  PUBLIC SERVICES AND UTILITIES

This section describes public services and utilities in the areas associated with the proposed Project. Public services relevant to the evaluation of environmental impacts relate primarily to the converter station sites and include law enforcement, fire protection, emergency response, medical facilities, schools, water utilities, and electricity and gas. In addition, known utility crossings within the 500-meter-wide submarine cable study corridor are discussed. Solid waste generation and capacities are discussed in Section 4.14, Hazardous Materials and Waste Management. Storm drainage at the sites is discussed in Section 4.4, Water Resources and Quality.

4.12.1  Environmental Setting

4.12.1.1  San Francisco HWC Converter Station

4.12.1.1.1  Law Enforcement. The San Francisco Police Department provides law enforcement services to the HWC site, including the nearby proposed and alternative temporary construction laydown areas. The closest police station is the Bayview Station (201 Williams Street), located approximately 2 miles southwest of the site. Staffing levels fluctuate from 30 to 50 people onsite daily. On average, 10 to 20 officers are assigned to patrolling. All calls to the station are routed through the San Francisco Police Department Emergency Communication Dispatch Center. The center uses a prioritization system whereby calls are classified as A, B, or C. The response time to an emergency call depends on the call classification. Response times of law enforcement can vary depending on the call classification, with a minimum time of 2 minutes (Garrick, 2005).

4.12.1.1.2  Fire Protection and Hazardous Materials Response. The San Francisco Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency services to the HWC site. Station No. 25 (3305 Third Street) is the closest fire station, located less than 1 mile to the south. Station No. 37 (798 Wisconsin Street) is the next closest station, located less than 1 mile west of the site. Other nearby stations include Station No. 29 (299 Vermont Street), located 1.5 miles from the site, and Station No. 17 (1295 Shafter Street), located 2 miles from the site. Station No. 36 (109 Oak Street) manages the Hazardous Materials Response Unit, which consists of one primary unit (one officer and three firefighters), two secondary units (one officer and three firefighters), and two chief officers.

The San Francisco Fire Department maintains and operates an Auxiliary Water Supply System (AWSS), which is a water storage and distribution network that supplements the hydrants connected to the regular water distribution lines. The AWSS presently serves those areas of San Francisco most intensively developed; however, a recent public referendum authorized a bond issue to extend this system to the remainder of the city and modernize certain components (San Francisco Planning Department [SFPD], 2005).

Fire response time to the HWC site would be approximately 3 to 4 minutes, including dispatch. A fire response team includes: three engines (four staff per engine), two trucks (five staff per truck), one rescue squad (four staff per squad), and one medic. Hazardous Materials response time to the HWC site is 3 to 5 minutes (Glickman, 2005).

4.12.1.1.3  Medical Facilities. The San Francisco General Hospital (1001 Potrero Avenue) is the closest full-service hospital to the HWC site, located 1.5 miles to the west. Additional nearby smaller facilities include the Potrero Hill Health Center (1050 Wisconsin Street), a clinic which is part of the Community Health Network of San Francisco, located over 1 mile to the west. Services provided by the County of San Francisco include health and nutrition programs funded by the State of California and the City and County of San Francisco (CCSF). There are also several additional emergency and urgent care facilities within a 3‑mile radius of the HWC site.

4.12.1.1.4  Schools. The San Francisco HWC Converter Station site is located within the boundaries of the San Francisco Unified School District. This district has a total of 119 elementary, middle, and high schools. The schools closest to the site include Potrero Hill Middle School (655 DeHaro Street), Starr King Elementary (1215 Carolina Street), and Daniel Webster Elementary (465 Missouri Street). Potrero Hill Middle School is less than 1.5 miles west of the site, while the two elementary schools are approximately 1 mile northwest of the site. The closest high school is the International Studies Academy (693 Vermont Street), located approximately 1.25 miles to the northwest of the site. Three additional high schools in the area are Leadership High School (536 Mission Street), Downtown High School (110 Bartlett Street), and Thurgood Marshall High School (45 Conkling Street). These three high schools are located approximately 1.5 miles to the northwest, west, and southwest of the site, respectively.

The San Francisco Unified School District is not currently overcrowded. The schools are operated near capacity; however, enrollment has been dropping steadily by 2 percent for the past 5 years and is predicted to continue decreasing in the future (Kline, 2005).

4.12.1.1.5  Water and Wastewater. The San Francisco Water Department supplies water to the site from the Hetch Hetchy dam and reservoir in the Sierras. The supply of fresh water generated by the Hetch Hetchy/Water Department system is currently capable of meeting water demand. Projections discussed in the City of San Francisco General Plan indicate that the present system will meet San Francisco's needs until the year 2020 (SFPD, 2005). Potable water for drinking and fire protection would be provided by a City of San Francisco main located near the intersection of Illinois and 23^rd Street. San Francisco's Department of Public Works provides sanitary sewer service to the site. Wastewater and sanitary sewage would be discharged to the combined sewer system. Stormwater would be collected, treated, and discharged to the Bay under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

4.12.1.1.6  Electricity and Gas. The proposed Project would connect to Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E's) existing electrical distribution system. . There is no natural gas usage on the site.

4.12.1.2  Pittsburg Standard Oil Converter Station

4.12.1.2.1  Law Enforcement. The Pittsburg Police Department provides law enforcement services to the Standard Oil site. The nearest police station is located at 65 Civic Avenue, 2.5 miles to the west. The patrol division of the police department operates 24 hours a day. Typically, eight officers are on duty throughout the day. Pittsburg is broken into beats for deployment purposes and patrol officers are the first responders to the public for calls for service. Law enforcement response times for emergency calls are between 30 seconds to 3 minutes, depending on the location of the officer dispatched (Calia, 2006).

4.12.1.2.2  Fire Protection and Hazardous Materials Response. The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD) provides fire protection services to the Pittsburg Planning Area, which includes the Standard Oil site. The CCCFPD operates out of 29 fire stations located throughout its jurisdictional area. The CCCFPD also maintains mutual-aid agreements with the various agencies, including the East Diablo Fire Protection District and private industrial companies located within its jurisdiction. These agreements help provide the CCCFPD with emergency response assistance when needed.

The CCCFPD fire stations nearest to the site are stations No. 84 (200 East Sixth Street), located 1.8 miles to the west of the site, and No. 85 (2555 Harbor Street), located 2.4 miles to the southwest of the site. The fire response team includes three engines (three staff per engine) and one truck (three staff per truck). Fire response times are approximately 5 minutes or less to the Standard Oil site (Grace, 2005).

The Contra Costa County Health Department's (CCCHD's) Hazardous Materials Division manages the Hazardous Materials Response Unit. A response team consists of 3 to 15 hazardous materials specialists. Response time to all Pittsburg sites during business hours is approximately 5 to 10 minutes, and after business hours is up to 45 minutes (Hardage, 2005).

4.12.1.2.3  Medical Facilities. The closest clinic to the Standard Oil site is the Pittsburg Health Center (2313 Loveridge Road), located approximately 1 mile to the southwest of the site. The closest full service hospital is Sutter Health (3901 Lone Tree Way) in Antioch, located approximately 5 miles to the southeast of the site.

4.12.1.2.4  Schools. The Standard Oil site is located within the boundaries of the Pittsburg Unified School District. This district currently operates seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. The schools closest to the Standard Oil site include Los Medanos College (2700 East Leland Road) approximately 1 mile to the southwest, Martin Luther King Preschool (950 El Pueblo Avenue) 1 mile to the west, and Stoneman Elementary (2929 Loveridge Road) 1.5 miles to the southwest.

Schools within the Pittsburg Unified School District have adequate capacity to handle additional enrollment. Student enrollment has remained stable for the past 5 years and is predicted to remain stable over the next few years (Meyers, 2005).

4.12.1.2.5  Water and Wastewater. Pittsburg obtains raw water from the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD), through the Central Valley Project. The CCWD's current contract for its entire service area is for 195,000 acre-feet per year, or 174 million gallons per day (mgd). These allocations are subject to regulatory or other temporary restrictions imposed as a result of drought or other conditions. CCWD also has water rights with a number of local districts and private entities to expand CCWD's total annual supply to 242,700 acre-feet per year. Two wells also supplement CCWD water supply with a combined yield of 1,500 acre-feet per year.

Pittsburg operates its own water treatment plant and associated facilities, which primarily serve customers within the city limits. The Pittsburg treatment plant currently operates at 16 to 18 mgd for City of Pittsburg accounts. The hydraulic capacity is 32 mgd, but is restricted to 24 mgd by State Health Department permitting and water quality regulations. The design capacity is sufficient to meet the projected 2020 maximum per-day requirements (CPPD, 2004). Stormwater is treated and discharged to the Bay under a NPDES permit
(Strelo, 2005).

4.12.1.2.6  Electricity and Gas. The proposed Project would connect to a local electrical distribution system. There is no natural gas usage on the site.

4.12.1.3  Offshore DC Cable Route

The proposed submarine cable route transects numerous city and county jurisdictions within Suisun, San Pablo, and San Francisco bays, and the Carquinez Strait. A number of utility crossings have been identified based on communication by the Applicant with the State Lands Commission and San Francisco officials. The known utility crossings are listed in Tables A.2-1 and A.2-2 and are shown on Map A.2-1 included in Appendix A of this EIR.

4.12.2  Regulatory Setting

4.12.2.1  Federal

No applicable federal plans or policies regarding public services and utilities have been identified.

4.12.2.2  State

The Uniform Fire Code (UFC) contains regulations pertaining to the construction and maintenance of buildings and uses of the premises. Topics addressed in the UFC include fire hydrants, fire department access, fire alarm systems, fire and explosion hazard safety, industrial processes, and many other generalized and fire-specific safety requirements for new and existing buildings. "UFC Standards" is a companion publication to the Uniform Building Code (UBC) and contains standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials and of the National Fire Protection Association. The UBC is the primary guiding document that sets the standards for the built environment and is closely tied to the UFC to protect human life and safety. The UFC and UBC are widely accepted at the national level and adopted by individual states. California codes are nearly identical.

The School Facilities Act of 1986 (Education Code Section 17620) authorizes school districts to impose school fees to finance permanent school facilities necessitated by new development. The act sets dollar limits (calculated on a square-foot basis) on fees for residential, commercial, and industrial construction, which are adjusted every 2 years. In response to several court cases, the School Facilities Act of 1998 (SB50) sets forth absolute limits on the type and amount of school mitigation that can be imposed (while maintaining the previously existing statutory structure relating to the authority to impose a school fee). It further provides that the statutory school fees are the only mitigation that may be imposed on any type of land use approval ("full and complete mitigation," per Section 65995[a]). School development fees are typically collected when the applicant pays building permit fees.

4.12.2.3  Local

San Francisco Municipal Code follows the California and national codes as the guiding documents for applying regulations. The Community Services, Community Safety, and Environmental Protection Elements of the San Francisco General Plan as well as the Central Waterfront Area Plan outline objectives, policies, and criteria for meeting San Francisco's long-term service and public safety requirements. Table 4.12-1 lists the policies pertinent to public services and utilities for the proposed San Francisco Converter Station. In addition to these policies, the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection and the fire department have ongoing responsibility for reviewing plans for proposed buildings and inspecting

TABLE 4.12-1
PUBLIC SERVICES AND UTILITIES POLICIES PERTINENT TO THE
SAN FRANCISCO CONVERTER STATION

buildings under construction to ensure that they are built as shown on the approved plans and in accordance with all codes (SFPD, 1998).

The Public Facilities and Growth Management Elements of the Pittsburg General Plan address provisions for public services and facilities, including law enforcement, water supply, fire protection, and public utility corridors. Pertinent policies relative to the proposed Project in Pittsburg are listed in Table 4.12-2.

4.12.3  Environmental Impacts

Potential Project impacts associated with public services and utilities are discussed in this section relative to areas adjacent to the converter station sites and ancillary facilities (i.e., onshore cable routes, laydown areas, and access roads, as applicable), and within the 500-meter-wide submarine cable study corridor. Public services and utilities were assessed by reviewing existing services and determining the potential effects from proposed Project activities. Potential effects from the Project could include excessive demand on public services or utilities from construction- or operations-related activities. An example would be additional workforce requiring key services and utilities that are already overburdened, thus leading to a significant impact.

TABLE 4.12-2
PUBLIC SERVICES AND UTILITIES POLICIES PERTINENT TO THE PITTSBURG CONVERTER STATION

4.12.3.1  Thresholds of Significance

This impact analysis uses the significance criteria identified in CEQA Guidelines (Appendix G) as well as those established by the City of Pittsburg and the City and County of San Francisco. Impacts are considered potentially significant if the project would:

• Result in substantial adverse impacts to levels of service for public services including schools, police protection, medical facilities, and fire response

• Require new or altered governmental facilities which could have significant physical environmental impacts

• Result in substantial adverse impacts to public utilities, including wastewater treatment, water supply, or electricity and gas

4.12.3.2  San Francisco HWC Converter Station

4.12.3.2.1  Construction-related Impacts. Site preparation and Project construction is expected to take approximately 27 to 30 months. Pre-construction activities at the converter station site would include demolition of existing structures, remediation of any contamination, grading, excavation, and site preparation activities.

Table A.4-2 in Appendix A of this EIR lists the estimated number of personnel required for the Project by month during construction. The maximum number of construction workers that would be required for construction during a given month is estimated to be 45 individuals at each of the two converter station sites. Primary trades required for the converter station construction would include carpenters, cement masons, electricians, laborers, and other traditional-type trades necessary to complete the Project.

It is anticipated that most of the workforce would be expected to come from local or regional areas and commute to the site rather than re-locate. The workforce required for construction is not excessive and would not place undue burden on the local workforce. In the event that up to 5 (10% of the San Francisco workforce) construction crew members temporarily re-located for the duration of the construction portion of the project, schools in the San Francisco Unified School District could accommodate additional students, therefore, no significant school-related impacts are anticipated. Construction is not expected to result in a substantial adverse impact on medical facilities since there are numerous medical facilities in close proximity to the site, including a full-service hospital.

The HWC Converter Station site and associated laydown area would be fenced to prevent unauthorized access. Project-funded security personnel would protect the construction sites during non-work hours, and thus, no significant impacts to police protection services are expected from construction activities. Fire station response times are between 3 to 4 minutes to the site and construction laydown area. Fire hydrants are located in accordance with city codes. The nearest fire hydrants to the site are located directly across 23^rd Street from the site.

Construction activities would require water for dust control measures, and other purposes. San Francisco allows water to be supplied from the main water system as long as the applicant obtains a meter for the applicable hydrant (Lyons, 2006). Construction activities would also require the use of flammable and combustible materials (i.e., diesel fuel), and without appropriate precautionary measures, could increase the likelihood of fire events.

Impact PS-1: Construction Fire Hazards. Without appropriate precautions, construction activities requiring the use of flammable and combustible materials could create fire hazards. The potential to increase fire events could affect the level of service by the fire department to the surrounding area. This impact is considered potentially significant.

Mitigation Measure PS-1: Construction Fire Prevention. A Construction Fire Prevention and Protection Program shall be developed for the Project to be followed throughout all phases of construction. The program will specifically address:

• General requirements

• Responsibilities

• Housekeeping

• Portable fire extinguishers

• Fixed fire-fighting equipment

• Fire control

• Flammable and combustible liquid storage

• Use and handling of flammable and combustible liquids

• Dispensing and disposal of flammable and combustible liquids

• Servicing and refueling areas

• Training

Implementation Responsibility:   Project proponent/construction contractor

Requirements and Timing:           Development and submittal of Construction Fire Prevention and Protection Program to Fire Department for review and coordinate with other local fire services prior to initiating construction activities

Monitoring Requirements:           City of Pittsburg, in consultation with the City and County of San Francisco, to monitor and ensure compliance

Resulting Level of Significance. Mitigation Measure PS-1 would reduce Impact PS-1 to a less-than-significant level.

Proposed installation of utility lines would occur at a depth of more than 1 foot below ground surface and, therefore, could impact existing underground utilities. Without appropriate precautions, installation of proposed underground utility lines could impact existing underground utilities.

Impact PS-2: Existing Onshore Underground Utilities. Without appropriate precautions, installation of proposed underground utility lines could impact existing underground utilities and public service connections. This impact would be considered potentially significant.

Mitigation Measure PS-2: Utility Survey. Prior to any excavation work a survey shall be conducted to identify locations of subsurface utilities.

Implementation Responsibility:   Project proponent/construction contractor

Requirements and Timing:           Hire utility contractor and verify that utility survey is completed prior to commencing with excavation work

Monitoring Requirements:           City of Pittsburg, in consultation with the City and County of San Francisco to monitor and ensure compliance

Resulting Level of Significance. Mitigation Measure PS-2 would reduce Impact PS-2 to a less-than-significant level.

4.12.3.2.2  Operations-related Impacts.

Levels of Service for Public Services. The converter station would be minimally staffed and/or be remotely operated, and require minimal periodic maintenance. In the event that up to 5 staff worked permanently at the site, schools in the San Francisco Unified School District could accommodate additional students, therefore, no significant school-related impacts are anticipated.

The cable would terminate within a secured area accessible only to trained, authorized personnel. Fencing and/or an enclosure wall would restrict vehicular access. Converter stations and all associated equipment would be contained within an enclosed area with a passkey-operated security gate. Additional security measures would include surveillance cameras and intrusion alarms, as necessary. Police services would be provided by the San Francisco Police Department. The nearest police station to the site is located 2 miles away and the response times are approximately 2 minutes. The proposed converter station is located in an area primarily surrounded by industrial properties. Proposed use of the site is consistent with the land uses in the surrounding area and, with the proposed security measures at the proposed facility, police protection demands are not expected to increase with Project implementation.

The converter station would have an onsite fire protection system (including emergency backup system). During the detailed design phase, potential fire protection designs and systems would be reviewed by the San Francisco Fire Department for finalization. In general, the fire protection system would consist of automatic detection and firefighting equipment. The fire-detection control panel would be located in the control room and connected to the control and protection system for remote communication. The fire alarm would be initiated automatically by smoke, heat, or flame detectors, or manually by an emergency push button. A combination of detectors could be used including infrared and ultraviolet detectors, ionization and optical smoke detectors, and rate-of-rise temperature-sensitive detectors, depending on the equipment and/or space being monitored.

Audible alarms and flashing lights would be activated in the event of an incident. The equipment or area where the alarm was triggered would be indicated on the control panel. The firefighting equipment would initiate automatically. Fire detection and automatic firefighting equipment would be connected to a power supply within the fire-detection control panel, which would be connected to the mains via a power supply/battery charger unit with an internal battery. A pump house would be included within the facility with two diesel-driven firewater pumps. The fire protection system would include an auto-start function for the fire pumps that does not require personnel to start.

The San Francisco Fire Department would perform final inspections of the proposed Project when construction was complete. The Project design has incorporated an automatic fire response system. However, if the facility and associated equipment were not properly maintained, fire hazards could increase, which would also affect the level of service of the fire department to the surrounding area.

Impact PS-3: Operations Fire Hazards. Without appropriate precautions, operations requiring the use of flammable and combustible materials could induce fire hazards. The potential to increase fire events could affect the level of service by the fire department to the surrounding area. This impact is considered potentially significant.

Mitigation Measure PS-3: Operations Fire Prevention. An Operations Fire Prevention and Protection Program shall be developed for the Project to be followed throughout all phases of operation. The program will specifically address:

• Names and/or job titles responsible for maintaining equipment and accumulation of flammable or combustible material

• Procedures in the event of fire

• Fire alarm and protection equipment

• System and equipment maintenance

• Monthly inspections

• Annual inspections

• Fire-fighting demonstrations and training

• Housekeeping practices

• Training

Implementation Responsibility:  Project proponent

Requirements and Timing:         Development and submittal of an Operations Fire Prevention and Protection Program prior to commencing with operations

Monitoring Requirements:          City of Pittsburg, in consultation with the City and County of San Francisco, to monitor and ensure compliance

Resulting Level of Significance. Mitigation Measure PS-3 would reduce Impact PS-3 to a less-than-significant level.

New or Altered Governmental Facilities. The Project would not induce a need for new or altered governmental facilities.

Adverse Impacts on Utilities. Although the Project would require extension of existing utility lines, existing utilities have sufficient capacity to meet Project requirements. The converter station would generally be minimally staffed and/or remotely operated, and require minimal periodic maintenance. Normal Project operations would require water for landscaping, drinking, restrooms, and intermittent use during maintenance activities. Based on the small number of potential employees at the site (if any), nominal amounts of water would be required, and minimal amounts of wastewater would be generated at the converter station during normal operations. Further, San Francisco has water supply capacity to accommodate projected expansions up to the year 2020. Based on these factors, the Project is not expected to have significant impacts related to water supply availability or wastewater treatment capacities. In addition, the converter station would not utilize natural gas and would have beneficial impacts to electrical utilities by expanding the system and increasing system efficiency and reliability.

4.12.3.3  Pittsburg Standard Oil Converter Station

4.12.3.3.1  Construction-related Impacts. Construction requirements for the proposed Pittsburg Standard Oil Converter Station would be essentially the same as those for the HWC site, discussed above. The estimated maximum number of construction workers required for construction at the Standard Oil site during a given month would be 45. The workforce required for construction consists of traditional-type labor and, thus, can be drawn from the local and regional workforce, subject to union agreements. Schools in the Pittsburg area are currently not overcrowded. In the event that up to 5 (10% of the Pittsburg workforce) construction-associated personnel would temporarily re-locate for the duration of the construction portion of the project, schools in the Pittsburg Unified School District could accommodate additional students, therefore, no significant impacts are anticipated. Construction is not expected to significantly impact medical facilities since there are numerous medical facilities in close proximity to the site.

As with the HWC site, the Pittsburg Standard Oil Converter Station site and associated laydown area would be fenced to prevent unauthorized access. Project-funded security personnel would provide protection of the construction sites during non-work hours and, thus, no impacts to police protection services are expected from construction activities. Fire response times to the site and construction laydown area are 5 minutes or less. Project construction would not have significant impacts on fire response. However, development of a Construction Fire Prevention and Protection Program for the project could serve as a mitigation measure to minimize fire potential and to further reduce potential to impact fire response. In addition, underground construction work could adversely affect existing underground utilities if appropriate precautions were not implemented.

Impact PS-1: Construction Fire Hazards. The construction-related fire hazards impact (Impact PS-1) discussed in Section 4.12.3.2.1 applies at the Pittsburg Standard Oil Converter Station site.

Mitigation Measure PS-1: Fire Water Service. Mitigation Measure PS-1, discussed in Section 4.12.3.2.1, shall be conducted at this site.

Implementation Responsibility:  Project proponent/construction contractor

Requirements and Timing:         Development and submittal of Construction Fire Prevention and Protection Program to Fire Department for review; coordinate with other local fire services; prior to initiating construction activities

Monitoring Requirements:          City of Pittsburg to monitor and ensure compliance

Resulting Level of Significance. Mitigation Measure PS-1 would reduce Impact PS-1 to a less-than-significant level.

Impact PS-2: Existing Underground Utilities. The underground utilities impact (Impact PS-2) discussed in Section 4.12.3.2.1 applies at the Pittsburg Standard Oil Converter Station site.

Mitigation Measure PS-2: Utility Survey. Mitigation Measure PS-2, discussed in Section 4.12.3.2.1, shall be conducted at this site.

Implementation Responsibility:  Project proponent/construction contractor

Requirements and Timing:         Hire utility contractor and verify that utility survey is completed prior to commencing with excavation work

Monitoring Requirements:          City of Pittsburg to monitor and ensure compliance

Resulting Level of Significance. Mitigation Measure PS-2 would reduce Impact PS-2 to a less-than-significant level.

Construction activities would require water for dust control, and other purposes. The nearest fire hydrant to the site is located at the Loveridge Road and Pittsburg/Antioch Highway intersection. Water pressure is expected to be between 70 to 75 pounds per square inch based on site elevation (Pease, 2005). The Contra Costa Fire Code Section 903.2 stipulates that a fire hydrant may need to be added if the site is located more than 150 feet off of a main public street. A fire flow test in addition to an access and water supply review are typically recommended where fire hydrants are not in the general vicinity of the site (Hardage, 2005).

Impact PS-4: Water Service. The nearest fire hydrant to the Standard Oil site is located approximately 1,500 feet from the site. Fire protection and water supply services could be impacted due to current unavailability of fire hydrants.

Mitigation Measure PS-4: Water Service. The Project proponent shall request that an access and water supply review and fire flow test be conducted by the City of Pittsburg. This shall include water supply and flow required for construction. If the water and flow are not adequate, the proponent shall supply water independent of the City's water system. If the water and flow are determined to be adequate, the proponent shall either bring in their own water during construction or obtain a meter with the City Finance Department to tie into a designated fire hydrant during construction.

Implementation Responsibility:   Project proponent

Requirements and Timing:           Submit request to City of Pittsburg and obtain approval by City of Pittsburg and local fire services prior to obtaining building permit

Monitoring Requirements:           City of Pittsburg to monitor and ensure compliance

Resulting Level of Significance. Mitigation Measure PS-4 would reduce Impact PS-4 to a less-than-significant level.

4.12.3.3.2  Operations-related Impacts.

Levels of Service for Public Services. The Standard Oil site would be minimally staffed and/or be remotely operated and would require minimal periodic maintenance. In the event that up to 5 staff worked permanently at the site, schools in the Pittsburg Unified School District could accommodate additional students, therefore, no significant school-related impacts are anticipated.

As with the HWC site, the cable would terminate within a secured area accessible only to trained, authorized personnel. Fencing and/or an enclosure wall would restrict vehicular access. The converter station and all associated equipment would be contained within an enclosed area with a passkey-operated security gate. Additional security measures would include surveillance cameras and intrusion alarms, as necessary.

Police services are provided by the Pittsburg Police Department. The nearest station to the site is located 2.5 miles from the site and the response times are between 30 seconds and 3 minutes. The Pittsburg General Plan Policy 3-S-1 seeks to ensure that the Pittsburg Police Department can maintain a 3 to 5 minute response time for all emergency calls. The current response time to the site is adequate to meet the General Plan policy. The proposed converter station is located in an area primarily surrounded by industrial and vacant properties. Proposed uses of the site may result in negligible increases in demand for police services because the land would change from vacant to developed land. Based on the proposed security measures at the proposed facility, any increases in police protection demands would not be expected to be significant.

The Pittsburg Standard Oil Converter Station would have fire protection systems similar to that of the HWC site, discussed above. The converter station would have onsite fire protection systems (including emergency backup systems) with additional fire response provided by the CCCFPD. During the detailed design of the Project, potential fire protection systems would be reviewed by the CCCFPD for approval. However, if the facility and associated equipment were not properly maintained, fire hazards could increase, which could also affect the level of service of the fire department to the surrounding area.

Impact PS-3: Operations Fire Hazards. The operations fire hazards impact (Impact PS-3) discussed in Section 4.12.3.2.2 applies at the Pittsburg Standard Oil Converter Station site.

Mitigation Measure PS-3: Operations Fire Prevention. Mitigation Measure PS-3, discussed in Section 4.12.3.3.2, shall be conducted at the Pittsburg Standard Oil Converter Station site.

Implementation Responsibility:  Project proponent

Requirements and Timing:         Development and submittal of an Operations Fire Prevention and Protection Program to Fire Department for review; coordinate with other local fire services prior to commencing with operations

Monitoring Requirements:          City of Pittsburg to monitor and ensure compliance

Resulting Level of Significance. Mitigation Measure PS-3 would reduce Impact PS-3 to a less-than-significant level.

New or Altered Governmental Facilities. The Project would require extension of existing utility lines that have sufficient capacity to meet the Project demands. The Project would not create a need for new or altered governmental facilities.

Adverse Impacts on Utilities. As with the HWC site, the Pittsburg Standard Oil Converter Station would be minimally staffed and/or remotely operated and Project operations would utilize nominal amounts of water. Normal Project operations would require water for landscaping, drinking, restrooms, and intermittent use during maintenance activities. Based on the small number of potential employees at the site (if any), nominal amounts of water would be required, and minimal amounts of wastewater would be generated at the converter station during normal operations. Further, Pittsburg has water supply capacity to accommodate expansion in and around the city until the year 2020. Based on these factors, the project is not expected to have significant impacts on water supply availability or wastewater treatment capacities. The converter station would not utilize natural gas. Project implementation would not be expected to have adverse impacts on electric utilities.

4.12.3.4  Offshore DC Cable Route

4.12.3.4.1  Construction-related Impacts. The offshore cable laying operation is expected to require approximately 4-5 months and would take place 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. The crew for each ship (Giulio Verne and barge) is anticipated to be approximately 60 people. The Giulio Verne has cabins and, therefore, crew would be anticipated to live on board. The barge does not have cabins and, therefore, out-of-area barge crew would be expected to stay at accommodations within the local area. Accommodations, such as hotels and other lodging facilities, are prevalent in the onshore areas along the cable route. No significant impacts to public services would be expected from installation of the cable.

Impacts could occur if the cable route crossed or coincided with existing utility lines and affected or disrupted delivery of service. Known utility and structure crossings are presented in Tables A.2-1 and A.2-2. To reduce the potential for a significant impact, a detailed survey of the Bay floor will be conducted over a study corridor centered on the proposed DC cable alignment. Sonar devices will be used to detect both natural and man-made objects. Electromagnetic devices will be used to detect and precisely locate existing cables and pipelines that cross the cable path. The design of the Project would use research data and precise field verification measures to determine the best location, method, and protection schemes for installation of the cable. Based on the precautions incorporated within the project design for installation of the offshore cable, no significant impacts would be expected to existing utilities within the submarine cable corridor.

The discussion above also applies to the proposed submarine AC cable between the PG&E Pittsburg substation and the landfall in New York Slough associated with the Standard Oil Converter Station site.

4.12.3.4.2  Operations-related Impacts.

Levels of Service for Public Services. Cable operations would increase the electrical power supply, and enhance the reliability of providing electricity, to San Francisco. Therefore, the proposed Project would be expected to have beneficial impacts to utility services.

New or Altered Governmental Facilities. The cable would be buried within San Francisco Bay. No new or altered governmental facility would be required for operation of the offshore cable.

Adverse Impacts on Utilities. Precautions incorporated into cable installation procedures would ensure that existing utilities (e.g., fiber optic cables and pipelines) under the Bay floor would not be adversely affected by the cable. Once buried, cable operations would not be expected to have adverse impacts on existing utilities in the area.

4.12.4  References

Calia, Sergeant. 2006. Pittsburg Police Department. Personal communication with Kathy Rushmore (URS Corporation). February 3.

CPPD (City of Pittsburg Planning Department). 2005. General Plan.

Garrick. 2005. San Francisco Police Department Bayview Station. Personal communication with Tammy Dorje (URS Corporation). November 15, 21.

Glickman. 2005. San Francisco Fire Department. Personal communication with Tammy Dorje (URS Corporation). November 15.

Grace, Rick. 2005. Pittsburg Fire Department. Personal communication with Tammy Dorje (URS Corporation). November 15.

Hardage, Ian. 2005. Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. Personal communication with Kathy Rushmore (URS Corporation). November 21.

Kline, Lisa. 2005. San Francisco Unified School District. Personal communication with Tammy Dorje (URS Corporation). November 21.

Koo, Sunny. 2005. Contra Costa County Health Hazardous Materials Division. Personal communication with Tammy Dorje (URS Corporation). November 17.

Lyons, Jerry. 2006. Pittsburg Distribution Division. Personal communication with Kathy Rushmore (URS Corporation). April 5.

Meyers. 2005. Pittsburg Unified School District. Personal communication with Tammy Dorje (URS Corporation). November 17.

Pease, Walter. 2005. Pittsburg Public Works. Personal communication with Kathy Rushmore (URS Corporation). November 21.

Pease, Walter. 2006. Pittsburg Public Works. Personal communication with Kathy Rushmore (URS Corporation). April 4.

SFPD (San Francisco Planning Department). 1998. General Plan.

2005. Webpage http://www.sfgov.org/site/planning_index.asp?id=27434.

Strelo, Ken. 2005. Pittsburg Planning Department. Personal communication with Tammy Dorje (URS Corporation). November 17.

Wong, Barry. 2005. San Francisco Fire Department. Personal communication with Tammy Dorje (URS Corporation). November 17.