Pub. Util. Code, § 1002.4

(a) The commission may, by resolution, adopt successor guidelines to the commission’s Guidelines for Energy Project Applications Requiring CEQA Compliance: Pre-filing and Proponent’s Environmental Assessments (November 2019) at a publicly noticed meeting to address its receipt and review of and actions on applications for the construction of electrical transmission facilities subject to its regulatory jurisdiction. These guidelines shall be designed to mitigate ratepayer costs, lessen the uncertainty of the submittal process, and improve the commission’s review process by increasing applicant understanding of applicable requirements with the intent of advancing the timely resolution of the construction of the facilities and efficient disposition of the applications.

(b) To the extent there is a conflict or inconsistency between the content in the guidelines adopted or revised pursuant to this section and a commission rule of practice or procedure addressing the completeness of applications for electrical transmission facilities, the guidelines shall prevail.

(c) The guidelines adopted pursuant to this section shall supersede the commission’s Guidelines for Energy Project Applications Requiring CEQA Compliance: Pre-filing and Proponent’s Environmental Assessments (November 2019), unless the guidelines adopted pursuant to this section specify otherwise.

(d) Notwithstanding any other law, guidelines adopted pursuant to this section are exempt from the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(e) For purposes of this section, “electrical transmission facilities” means electrical generation facilities, transmission, power, and distribution line facilities, and substations, as described in commission General Order No. 131-D, as it may be amended from time to time.