Pocket Substation Rebuild Project
We’re proposing the Pocket Substation Rebuild Project in the Meadowview neighborhood of Sacramento. The project includes the constructing a new, upgraded substation and removing our existing substation. The new substation will use the latest technology to help keep your power safe and reliable as our community grows. To minimize impacts to customers, we’ll build the new substation next to the current substation so electric service can continue during construction. Once the upgrade is complete, we’ll remove the existing substation.
Project benefits
Substations are critical links to deliver electricity. Electricity travels through power lines to substations where the voltage of the power is reduced to be sent safely to homes or businesses.
The Pocket Substation Rebuild Project will upgrade our existing substation and expand our grid by increasing capacity and providing safe and reliable electrical service to existing customers as well as proposed development in the area.
Location
The new substation development is next to our existing substation, north of Gardendale Road. We’ll remove the existing substation south of Gardendale Road once the new substation is complete. We’ll also add, or upgrade, electrical lines along Gardendale Road, on 24th and 25th Streets from Florin Road to Meadowview Road, and east of the proposed substation on the opposite side of the railroad tracks from the substation.
Anticipated activities
Substation construction
We’ll securely fence the project site and all temporary work zones during construction. Crews will grade the area, install drainage systems, remove permanent perimeter fencing, lay underground infrastructure within the substation, pour foundations for equipment, build the control structure, pave internal roads, remove steel poles and install equipment.
Power line work
Crews will install and modify power lines that supply electricity to the substation and distribute power from the substation to the electric grid. This work involves replacing poles, installing overhead circuits and potentially performing underground installations along Gardendale Road. On the east side of the railroad tracks, we’ll install new transmission poles as part of the upgrades.
Decommissioning
Crews will de-energize the existing substation and dismantle and remove all equipment, structures and below-grade infrastructure from the site. After decommissioning, we’ll fence the site and possibly use it for equipment storage.
Noise
General construction activities will take place during daylight hours and may cause short noise disturbances to residential areas near the substations.
The substation operational sounds will be minimal, primarily from the transformer fans.
Timeline
We expect construction to begin in 2027 with plans for the new substation to be operational by 2030.
Once construction is complete, we’ll decommission the current substation over about 12 months.
We’re committed to keeping the community informed about this project and will update this page with information about schedule, construction and progress updates.
Environmental impacts
We performed a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) assessment and prepared a Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). Beginning Aug. 20, you can view the Pocket Substation Rebuild Project IS/MND online or in person during normal business hours at these locations:
SMUD Customer Service Center
6301 S Street
Sacramento, CA 95817
SMUD East Campus-Operations Center
4401 Bradshaw Road
Sacramento, CA 95827
Public review/comment period
A 30-day public review period for the Draft IS/MND begins on Aug. 20 and extends through Sept. 21 for interested individuals and public agencies to submit written comments on the document. You can email comments to Kim.Crawford@smud.org or mail to:
Kim Crawford
SMUD Environmental Services
P.O. Box 15830, MS B209
Sacramento, CA 95852-1830
Public meeting
We'll host an in-person public meeting to provide an overview and invite comments about the project:
Thursday, Sept. 3, 6 - 7 p.m.
Sam & Bonnie Pannell Community Center
2450 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA 95832
Documents
- A link to the Draft IS/MND will be added on Aug. 20.
Translation
If you want the documents translated or a translator at the meeting, please email your request to Kim.Crawford@smud.org by Aug. 27.
Questions?
For questions about this project, please email Trinnon.Meyers@smud.org.