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The meeting was held on site, to facilitate understanding of the neighbors' concerns and PG&E's plans. There appears to have been greater understanding on both sides about what the neighbors want and what PG&E can do, and, although there appeared to be greater consensus, neighbors still expressed doubts about whether PG&E will follow through on their promises and do so in a timely fashion.
The neighbors' primary concern was screening the view of the substation with appropriate vegetation. Lost Valley is an established neighborhood, and many of the residents have lived there for decades. When they arrived, the substation was barely visible behind heavy screening of trees. But as time went on, some trees died and some were removed to comply with tightening standards on vegetation under and around electric facilities. As a result, the substation is now clearly visible to drivers approaching Lost Valley. The Lost Valley Association has been dealing with issues of the substation, which recently underwent changes to improve security, for quite some time now.
It was clear that the neighbors and PG&E were not, from the outset, on the same page, as PG&E suggested solutions to problems that the neighbors did not agree were problems. PG&E suggested removing some bushes to deal with leaves falling from the large silver oak at the front entrance of the substation. The neighbors were not concerned about the leaves, but worried that the oak would be removed. PG&E suggests installing a block wall to screen a meadow, and the neighbors made it clear that it isn't the meadow they wish screened, but the substation, and that they do not want walls but trees.
PG&E managed to allay the fears of the neighbors, stating that the trees at the front of the substation were not slated for removal, and that the trees that will be removed will, according to PG&E, barely be noticed, being at the back of the facility and under the high voltage towers.
Matthew McLane, PG&E Vegetation Program Manager, walked the border of the meadow with Jack Paulus, secretary of the Lost Valley Association. PG&E expressed how important the meadow was to their operations, but agreed that, by moving the existing fence a bit deeper into the meadow, screening vegetation could be planted along the outside of the fence in certain areas. McLane also pointed out existing vegetation that will be encouraged to grow and will, in time, provide more screening, but at the same time PG&E drew the line about where vegetation could not be planted closer to the electrical lines. PG&E was also represented by Tom Guarino, public affairs representative, Matthew Bateman, substation maintenance supervisor, Jennifer Estridge, electric customer outreach specialist and Lindsey Welchoff, land consultant, natural resource management.
Other topics discussed included malfunctioning strobe lights, which PG&E pledged to shut off, and continuing sound studies for later in the year. Residents would like the signs on the gates to the substation to be less visible, but PG&E demurred, stating that safety mandates that that signs be visible at eye level to arriving employees. In the end, PG&E apologized for the delays in dealing with the issues around the substation, and promised action by next spring. The company listened to the thoughts of the neighbors and agreed to implement them wherever possible.
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA