Proposed Alignment Map

Proposed alignment map for Scattergood-Olympic Transmission Line

Project Description

LADWP will construct and operate a new 230 kV underground cable system called the Scattergood-Olympic Transmission Line Project (SOTLP). The proposed transmission system will connect the Scattergood Generating Station (Scattergood) in Playa del Rey and Olympic Receiving Station (RS) in West Los Angeles.

The Scattergood Generating Station is located at 12700 Vista Del Mar, about one mile southwest of the Los Angeles International Airport. The Olympic RS is located at 1840 Centinela Avenue, approximately one mile northwest of the I-10/I-405 interchange.

Construction Schedule and Lane Closures*

Location Lane Closures Start Date End Date
Lincoln Boulevard at LMU Drive/Bluff Trail Road Southbound Lincoln, 2 Left turn lanes onto LMU  
Southbound Lincoln at LMU #1 lane  
Northbound Lincoln at LMU #1 lane (intermittent)
June 2017 October 2017
Lincoln Boulevard at Jefferson Boulevard Southbound Lincoln, 2 Left turn lanes onto Jefferson  
Southbound Lincoln at Jefferson #1 lane (intermittent)  
Northbound Lincoln, left turn lane onto Jefferson  
Northbound Lincoln at Jefferson # 1 lane
July 2017 December 2017
Lincoln Boulevard (Bridge) at Ballona Creek Northbound Lincoln at Ballona Creek #3 lane (9am to 3pm) August 2017 March 2018
Lincoln Boulevard (Bridge) at Ballona Creek outhbound Lincoln at Ballona Creek 1 lane (9pm to 5am)  
-Northbound Lincoln at Ballona Creek 2 lanes (9pm to 5am)
August 2017 March 2018
Lincoln Boulevard between Culver Loop and La Tijera Boulevard 1 to 2 lanes at various vault locations (intermittent) January 2018 May 2018

*Subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances

Project Objectives and Benefits

The project is designed to improve power system reliability by reinforcing the existing Scattergood Transmission System. The addition of a second transmission line would achieve the following:

  • Enhance reliability of electric service to the western Los Angeles area
  • Improve flexibility and reliability of the transmission system
  • Comply with federally mandated standards
  • Provide flexibility and ability to better utilize generation resources including Scattergood
  • Reduce the need for emergency system repair

Background

LADWP continually assesses the existing electric grid to provide reliable power to residents and businesses in the city. A key feature of the grid is the high-voltage transmission system, which transfers power between generating stations and high-voltage substations. At the substations, electricity is “stepped down” to lower voltage and then distributed to homes and businesses.

Scattergood and the three connecting transmission lines, referred to as the Scattergood Transmission System, are critical components of the western portion of LADWP’s power grid. The Scattergood Transmission System consists of one 230 kV line, which connects Scattergood into the Olympic RS, and the two 138 kV Scattergood-Airport Lines 1 and 2, which connect Scattergood into the Airport RS.

The existing Scattergood-Olympic line entered commercial service in 1974. Routine testing of this 38-year old line has shown deterioration of the insulation. Outages on this line negatively impact the reliability of service to the western Los Angeles area by severely limiting power delivery into the Olympic RS from Scattergood.

Project Alternatives

LADWP evaluated a study area and based on specific criteria, developed with community input, identified alternate alignments for the transmission line. These alignments took the form of a series of segments which connect in a variety of ways to link Scattergood and the Olympic RS. After further analysis and community input, a proposed alignment was determined for full evaluation in the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

Environmental Impact Report

In September 2009, the LADWP prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the proposed SOTLP. In response to comments received, the LADWP determined that the project should undergo further review through the preparation of an EIR. In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the LADWP prepared the EIR to: 1) inform decision makers and the public of the potential environmental impacts that are expected to result from the construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed project; 2) determine ways to minimize or avoid significant effects; and 3) identify alternatives that may avoid or minimize potential significant impacts.

The Draft EIR was available for public review from March 22, 2012 until May 7, 2012. Comments received were addressed and incorporated into the Final EIR, which was made available to the public on July 2, 2012. The Board of Water and Power Commissioners (the Board), after considering both the EIR and all comments received during the public review period, approved the project on July 17, 2012.

View all the SOTLP EIR documents

The EIR is also available at the following libraries:

Library Location
Los Angeles Public Library 
West Los Angeles Regional Branch
11360 Santa Monica Boulevard 
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Los Angeles Public Library 
Mar Vista Branch
12006 Venice Boulevard 
Los Angeles, CA 90066
Los Angeles Public Library 
Westchester-Loyola Village Branch
7114 W. Manchester Avenue 
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Los Angeles Public Library 
Playa Vista Branch
6400 Playa Vista Drive 
Los Angeles, CA 90094
El Segundo Public Library 111 W. Mariposa Avenue 
El Segundo, CA 90245

Public Involvement

Public involvement is an essential part of the CEQA process. LADWP outreach to the public, agencies, organizations, and interested parties included:

  • Briefings with neighborhood councils and City Council District offices throughout the planning process.
  • Informational public meetings to provide project updates and present alternatives that will be carried forward in the EIR.
  • Public scoping meetings to inform the public about the proposed project and its purpose and need, as well as to identify the range of actions, alternatives, mitigation measures, and significant effects to be analyzed in the depth in the EIR.

Scoping Meetings

LADWP held two scoping meetings, on October 26 and November 4, 2010, to seek public comment as we began the environmental review of the Scattergood-Olympic Transmission Line Project. View the presentation boards that were presented at the meetings. Comments received during the scoping process were summarized in a Scoping Report. Complete comments to the Scoping Report are included in the Appendices. See Documents section below for these documents.

In addition, the potential alignments were presented to the community in public meetings held on February 23 and 24, 2011.

LADWP also held two public meetings, on April 11 and April 12, 2012, to inform the public about the proposed project and the findings of the Draft EIR and provide an opportunity for agencies, organizations, and interested individuals to provide comments on the adequacy of the document.

Project Timeline

Following is a general timeline for the SOTLP:

Sept. – Oct. 2010: Briefings with Neighborhood Councils & City Council Districts

Oct. 2010: Issue Notice of Preparation (NOP)

Oct. 26 and Nov. 4, 2010: Public scoping meetings

Feb. 23 and 24, 2011: Informational public meetings

March 22, 2012: Issue Draft EIR

Apr. 11 and 12, 2012: Public meetings

Jul. 17, 2012: Board Certification of the Final EIR and project approval

Summer 2013 – Summer 2018: Construction

LADWP Contact Information

Toll-free telephone line: (877) 735-8407  

Email: [email protected]  

Web Page: www.ladwp.com/Scattergood-Olympic  

Scattergood-Olympic Transmission Project  
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power  
Attn: Mr. Kishan Kasondra, Project Manager  
111 North Hope Street; Room 905  
Los Angeles, CA 90012