The Big Picture
The California Public Utilities Commission approved a revised energy infrastructure plan that preserves Coyote Valley open space while allowing critical grid upgrades to move forward.
Instead of building in sensitive habitat areas, the project will be relocated to the existing Metcalf Substation, protecting key wildlife corridors while still delivering major transmission capacity. The infrastructure is designed to move large amounts of power across the South Bay and support growing demand, with construction expected to begin soon and completion targeted around 2028.
Why it Matters
This reinforces a key shift in how infrastructure decisions are being made: location matters as much as capacity.
The outcome shows that large-scale energy projects can be delivered without sacrificing critical open space, especially in areas like Coyote Valley that serve as wildlife corridors, flood protection zones and agricultural land.
It also highlights a broader trend. As electrification accelerates, the pressure to build new infrastructure will only increase. This decision sets a clear expectation that future projects will need to prioritize existing sites and minimize environmental impact, not just deliver megawatts.