(a) The commission shall issue a decision on an application for a certificate within 18 months of the date of filing of the completed application, when all of the following are true:
(1) The application is for a certificate for building or upgrading an electrical transmission line that the commission finds necessary to provide transmission to load centers for electricity generated in a high priority renewable energy zone or is reasonably necessary to facilitate achievement of the renewables portfolio standard established in Article 16 (commencing with Section 399.11) of Chapter 2.3.
(2) The commission has considered all of the following:
(A) The utilization of rights-of-way by upgrading existing transmission facilities instead of building new transmission facilities, where technically and economically justifiable.
(B) The expansion of existing rights-of-way, if technically and economically feasible, when construction of new transmission lines is required.
(C) The creation of new rights-of-way when justified by environmental, technical, and economic reasons.
(D) The availability of cost-effective alternatives to transmission, such as energy efficiency measures and distributed generation.
(3) The commission has not expressly found any of the following:
(A) That the investment is not reasonable and necessary to maintain or enhance reliability of the transmission grid.
(B) That the building or upgrading of the electrical transmission line will not maintain or enhance efficient use of the transmission grid.
(C) That the transmission line fails to meet other applicable standards and requirements for approval and construction.
(b) An extension of time may be granted by the commission if it finds the extension is necessary for completion of review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).
(Added by Stats. 2011, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 1, Sec. 33. (SB 2 1x) Effective December 10, 2011.)