HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.3.22 Board Correspondence - FW_ Dam Safety Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-803-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al. (3)
From:Paulsen, Shaina
To:BOS
Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: Dam Safety Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-803-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al.
Date:Tuesday, May 3, 2022 12:23:55 PM
Please see Board Correspondence below.
Shaina Paulsen
Associate Clerk of The Board
Butte County Administration
25 County Center Drive, Suite 200, Oroville, CA 95965
T: 530.552.3304 | F: 530.538.7120
-----Original Message-----
From: 'FERC eSubscription' <eSubscription@ferc.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 12:16 PM
Subject: Dam Safety Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-803-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al.
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On 5/3/2022, the following Filing was submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C.:
Filer: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (as Agent)
Docket(s): P-803-000
Lead Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Filing Type: Dam Safety Compliance Report
Description: Pacific Gas and Electric Company submits Engineering Evaluation and Analysis of Potential Spillway Improvement Alternatives for Philbrook Dam for DeSabla-Centerville
Hydroelectric Project under P-803.
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Mailing Address:
Mail Code N11D
P.O. Box 770000
San Francisco, CA 94177
May 3, 2022
Via Electronic Submittal (E-File)
Frank L. Blackett, P.E., Regional Engineer
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Division of Dam Safety and Inspections
San Francisco Regional Office
100 First Street, Suite 2300
San Francisco, CA 94105-3084
RE: DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 803-CA
Philbrook Dam, NATDAM No. CA00345
Engineering Evaluation and Analysis of Potential Spillway Improvement
Alternatives
ENCLOSURES CONTAIN CUI//CEII DO NOT RELEASE
Dear Frank L. Blackett:
This letter presents the results of an engineering study to analyze and evaluate potential
improvement alternatives for the spillway at Philbrook Dam, which is part of Pacific Gas
and PG&E) DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 803. PG&E completed the study as part of its
Spillway Assessment and Improvement Program (SAIP), which was established to
address follow-up actions from a series of focused spillway assessments performed in
2017. -recent updates on the status of the study were provided in letters to
your office dated April 30, 2021, and January 28, 2022.
PG&E retained an engineering consultant, Black & Veatch (B&V), to analyze the structural
and hydraulic performance of the spillway and evaluate potential alternatives for
improvements to mitigate apparent deficiencies. To support the analyses, B&V reviewed
historical records (e.g., engineering documents and reports of previous inspections,
investigations, and assessments); evaluated geologic, geotechnical, and hydrologic
conditions; and identified applicable spillway performance criteria. Results of the analyses
and alternatives evaluation are presented in a report titled Philbrook Dam Spillway
Improvement, Engineering Analysis and Alternative Study Report (prepared by B&V and
dated April 22, 2022), which is enclosed with this letter (Enclosure 1).
PG&E has reviewed the enclosed report and concurs with the findings and conclusions
presented therein. Although the report includes a recommended alternative for potential
spillway improvements, PG&E recognizes that the engineering alternatives evaluated as
Frank L. Blackett, P.E. Regional Engineer
May 3, 2022
Page 2
part of the study are conceptual and based on limited information. PG&E considers the
alternatives and recommendations presented in the report to be preliminary and subject to
potential changes based on additional investigation and analysis. The actual scope and
timing of any future projects depend on the results of further study.
The analyses and evaluations described in the enclosed report are the subject of
recommendations and follow-up actions from the focused spillway assessment report for
Philbrook Dam, dated December 31, 2017.
To assist in recordkeeping, PG&E has prepared status updates for open follow-up actions
pertaining to analysis and evaluation of the spillway. The updates are presented in the
enclosed status summary table (Enclosure 2), which identifies recommendations that have
been resolved as part of the engineering analysis and alternatives study (Enclosure 1). For
recommendations that have not yet been resolved, the table includes plans and
schedules for further action to address them.
As part of the SAIP, PG&E is establishing a long-term Capital Improvements Program
(CIP) to address deficiencies at its spillways. The CIP includes spillway improvement
projects at various stages of development, including several that are currently under
design and others (like the spillway at Philbrook Dam) for which evaluations of potential
improvement alternatives have been completed. Within the SAIP, additional spillways are
being investigated and analyzed to determine whether capital improvements are
necessary. As potential projects are identified, they will be incorporated into the CIP.
Based on the number and scope of potential projects, PG&E expects the CIP to continue
for at least 15 to 20 years.
PG&E is developing a risk-informed framework to evaluate, prioritize, and schedule
projects within the CIP. Projects that are in the design phase represent the highest priority
work and will continue as presently scheduled. However, PG&E must evaluate projects
that are in the initial planning phase and periodically reprioritize the work as new projects
are brought into the CIP. As part of the CIP project evaluation and prioritization process,
PG&E also plans to review existing interim risk-reduction measures (IRRMs) and identify
potential new IRRMs that may be appropriate until long-term improvement projects are
completed.
Over the next 12 months, PG&E plans to evaluate and prioritize potential long-term
spillway improvements at Philbrook Dam within the overall CIP portfolio. By July 31, 2023,
PG&E will report to FERC on the evaluation results and provide a plan and schedule for
further actions to improve the spillway. PG&E will also provide a plan and schedule for
developing, implementing, and maintaining IRRMs, as necessary, until long-term
improvements are completed.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, nonessential PG&E staff continue to work
remotely, and hard copy filings are not practical at this time. If FERC requires hard copies
Frank L. Blackett, P.E. Regional Engineer
May 3, 2022
Page 3
of this letter and enclosures, please contact the license coordinator identified below. If
necessary, hard copies will be sent after PG&E staff return to their normal work locations.
dam
safety engineer, Kaitlyn Daniels, at (707) 342-7885. For general questions, please contact
Jackie Pope, at (530) 254-4007.
Sincerely,
Robert O. Ellis, P.E., G.E.
Deputy Chief Dam Safety Engineer
Enclosures: CUI//CEII DO NOT RELEASE
1. Philbrook Dam Spillway Improvement, Engineering Analysis and Alternative Study Report,
prepared by B&V and dated April 22, 2022
2. Status Update for Open Follow-up Actions Pertaining to Spillway Analysis and Evaluation
cc: With Enclosures
Sharon Tapia, Chief
Department of Water Resources
Division of Safety of Dams
2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95833