This Initial Study has been prepared in accordance with CEQA
Guidelines Section 15063 to evaluate the potential environmental
consequences of Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&Es)
proposed sale of three fossil fuel power plants in PG&E's
current service area. The California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC), which is the CEQA lead agency for this project, is
issuing this document for a 30-day review and comment period to
Parties of Record in A.96-11-020, other potentially affected
agencies, and other interested members of the public. Electric
energy is generated using a turbine and a generator, which
together comprise a generating unit. A generating facility or
power plant normally consists of several generating units. In
California, there are approximately 550 generating power plants
(250 thermal plants and 300 hydroelectric plants) owned by
publicly- and privately-owned electric utilities. Additionally,
900 additional smaller plants are owned and operated by non-
utility generators. Electric power syst