Public outreach and communications are critical elements of SCE’s planning process. SCE identified and reached out to key stakeholders in the Coolwater-Lugo project area to solicit input and provide information about this Proposed Project. This included local elected officials, property owners, environmental groups, non-governmental organizations, and members of the public. Community workshops were held in November 2011 and March 2012. Public open houses were held in June 2013. Invitations for each of these meetings were advertised in multiple local newspapers and mailed to property owners within a minimum of 300 feet of the project, as well as other interested stakeholders. Spanish language advertisements were also sent out. SCE’s August 2013 project application and April 2014 amended application were advertised in multiple local newspapers and mailed to property owners within 300 feet of the project. Notifications and project newsletters were mailed to residents within 300 feet of the project. SCE has also conducted multiple media briefings with local newspapers. SCE has provided and continues to provide project updates at public meetings, such as city council meetings. Additional details about SCE’s outreach efforts are available in Appendix H of the Proponent’s Environmental Assessment, available at www.sce.com/coolwaterlugo.
As part of the environmental review of the project, the CPUC and BLM will conduct their own outreach and notification separate from SCE. The CPUC and BLM will hold 4 joint scoping meetings this August to seek public input on the project.