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Santa Clara moves forward with 115 kV SVP transmission project and seeks eminent-domain authority for one easement
Summary
Silicon Valley Power briefed council on a new 115 kV transmission line to raise capacity to 1,300 MW; after over a year of negotiations SVP requested a resolution of necessity to acquire a required easement at 881 Duane Ave and council approved the resolution 6-1 to preserve project timing.
Silicon Valley Power (SVP) staff told the City Council that a new 115-kilovolt transmission line is required to meet projected load growth and maintain reliability as the utility seeks to increase delivery capacity to roughly 1,300 megawatts. Ali Jackman, SVP electric division manager, said the line would be overhead between the Northern Receiving Station and Kiefer Receiving Station, routed along Lafayette, Bassett and Duane, and that the alignment requires approximately 20 easements.
SVP described the standard process: appraisal, offer based on independent valuation, months of negotiation and, when negotiations reach an impasse, a council resolution of necessity that would permit commencement of eminent-domain proceedings under state law. SVP said it had negotiated for more than a year with the owner of record at 881 Duane Avenue, mailed an offer in November 2024, and reached a legal impasse; staff asked council to make the findings required for a resolution of necessity so the project schedule could be met. The staff presentation reiterated that just compensation is not at issue tonight and would be determined later by negotiation or by a court.
Public comment raised broader concerns about who benefits from transmission upgrades and the allocation of infrastructure costs to ratepayers versus large customers such as data centers. SVP staff responded that the project is necessary to take delivery from larger incoming lines (Kaiso/LS Power projects referenced) and to maintain reliability subject to California ISO planning processes.
After deliberation on the required findings and hearing public testimony, council voted 6 to 1 to adopt the resolution of necessity and authorize the city to pursue acquisition if negotiations remain stalled. SVP noted the eminent-domain timeline can span months to years, with an order of possession possible earlier if required to meet project milestones.
