Public utility service providers are central to supporting residents and businesses and increasing capacity for the county’s economic base. Utility infrastructure typically includes facilities that provide energy (e.g., electricity and natural gas) and communication services to residential, commercial, and institutional users. Electricity in Ventura County is primarily supplied by the Southern California Edison Company, while the Southern California Gas Company provides natural gas service. This section focuses on the provision of sufficient public utilities and methods for enhancing service into the future.
Goal: PFS-7
To promote the efficient distribution of public utility facilities and transmission lines to ensure that public utilities are adequate to service existing and projected land uses and are sited and constructed to avoid hazards and land use incompatibility.
The County shall work with utility companies and service providers to ensure that gas, electric, broadband, cellular mobile communications, cable television, and telephone utility transmission lines are located appropriately to provide for adequate services throughout the unincorporated area.
JP
The County shall work with utility companies to modernize and upgrade transmission lines and associated equipment to reduce the risk of fire in areas with a high wildfire hazard risk.
Additional goals, policies, and implementation programs on fire hazards are in Chapter 7, Hazards and Safety Element.
JP
CAP
The County shall work with utility companies to ensure that new gas, electric, cellular mobile communications, cable television, and telephone utility transmission lines use or parallel existing utility rights-of-way, where feasible. When existing right-of-way cannot be used, the County should encourage utility companies to design and locate transmission lines to avoid scenic areas and viewsheds, and to site in a manner that minimizes impacts on community character, the natural environment, and existing development.
JP
The County shall require discretionary development to place new utility service lines underground if feasible. If undergrounding is determined by the County to be infeasible, then new utility service lines shall be placed in parallel to existing utility rights-of-way, if they exist, or sited to minimize their visual impact.
RDR
The County shall encourage broadband service providers to expand service areas and provide high quality access to broadband (high-speed internet) and cellular mobile communications services to residents and businesses, including unserved and underserved areas.
JP
EJ
The County shall work with utility providers to implement smart grid technologies as part of new developments and infrastructure projects.
JP
CAP
The County shall collaborate with renewable energy developers, community choice aggregation programs, and local serving entities to develop solar generation plus energy storage at critical facilities and community microgrids for resilience during power outages with a priority in designated disadvantaged communities.
JP
EJ
The County shall encourage location and construction of all transmission lines in a manner which minimizes disruption of natural vegetation and agricultural activities and avoids unnecessary grading of slopes when not in conflict with the rules and regulations of the California Public Utilities Commission.
JP