MendoCoastCurrent, April 24, 2008
Since late 2007 PG&E has dispatched government relations and program managers to broadcast their pledge and intention to work with Mendocino County Supervisors, Fort Bragg Councilpersons, FISH (Fishermen Interested in Safe Hydrokinetics) and Concerned Coastal Residents as they move swiftly to explore wave energy development off the Mendocino Coast. Based on current actions, PG&E is working all sides of the Mendocino Coast, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) and PG&E renewable energy corporate goals to move their agenda forward.
Mendocino Coast Citizens, County, FISH and Fort Bragg reactions have been leery and FERC indicates ‘a little too late.’ Local government asserts that when Mendocino, FISH and Fort Bragg missed important response dates in the FERC proceedings, it was due to FERC and PG&E failing to provide the required timely, local, written notice of PG&E’s Application for the Preliminary Permit.
Meanwhile in public meetings, letters and in conversations, PG&E has voiced support of Fort Bragg’s, FISH’s and the County of Mendocino’s move to Intervene in FERC/PG&E Preliminary Permit going so far as to express ’surprise’ of the FERC/PG&E Preliminary Permit issuance (on March 13, 2008 ) in a comment at a Town Hall meeting. Then PG&E sent letters (Ft. Bragg, Mendocino County, FISH) of concern when FERC denied their efforts to Intervene on March 5, 2008.
The Mendocino public requested PG&E to file Letters of Support for Intervener Status in the FERC docket. PG&E lawyers decided to reject that request when they filed an Answer to Mendocino County’s Request for Re-Hearing, opposing Mendocino’s Request for Re-Hearing on the FERC Denial of Intervener status, mostly supporting that their notice was correct when they failed to provide the required local, written notice as required by FERC.
