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4 Environmental Analysis 4.4 Biological Resources 4.4.6 Pacific Gas and Electric Tesla Substation Improvements To accommodate the Project, PG&E would construct network upgrades, interconnection facilities, and an interconnection gen-tie line that would extend from the battery storage facility to the available PG&E Tesla Substation bay. Two options are available for the gen-tie line route and, therefore, evaluated in this document (Figure 4.4-1). The first option would be to connect via an aboveground line on the west side of the southwestern boundary of the substation. The second option would be to enter the substation on the southwestern edge by way of a belowground line. The belowground line would enter the substation somewhere between the western edge and the center of the south boundary of the substation. The gen-tie line would not include lighting, so potential lighting impacts to wildlife would not occur. Additionally, PG&E would upgrade the Tesla Substation, and the improvements would include the installation of a grounding system, disconnect switches, surge arresters, outdoor lighting and outlets, and fiber termination for the gen-tie line. The improvements made would be within the existing Tesla Substation footprint. Construction during the upgrades at the Tesla Substation, including noise, vehicle traffic, temporary lighting during limited nighttime activities, and on-site personnel, has the potential to affect BUOW, SJKF, and American badger if present in or near the construction area. These impacts would be similar to the impacts analyzed above for construction and operation of the BESS and support infrastructure. With implementation of Mitigation Measures BIO-1 and BIO-2, including a preconstruction survey and a measure to minimize lighting impacts, construction impacts would be reduced to a less than significant level. Potential direct impacts, such as injury or mortality, to raptor species and special-status migratory birds from Project O&M may occur through the collisions into and/or electrocution from transmission lines or structures to be installed as part of the gen-tie line. Raptors and migratory birds may use utility structures for perching while hunting. While collision/electrocution impacts to raptors and special-status migratory birds are potentially significant, impacts would be reduced through the implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-2, which requires power lines to be installed per the most recent APLIC guidance (APLIC 2012) to reduce the potential for bird injury and mortality from collisions and electrocution. Through the implementation of Mitigation Measures BIO-1, BIO-2, and BIO-3, these improvements would not have a substantial adverse effect on any listed, candidate, sensitive, or special-status species that is protected under any local or regional plans, polices, or regulations. These improvements would also not have an adverse effect on any riparian habitat or sensitive natural communities identified in any local or regional plan, policies, or regulations, or on protected wetlands. No resident or migratory wildlife species, established wildlife corridors, or wildlife nursery sites would be affected by the PG&E improvements. In addition, these improvements would not conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources with the implementation of Mitigation Measures 13I0-1, BIO-2, and BIO-3. Therefore, no additional mitigation measures would be required. 4.4.7 Cumulative Impacts Cumulative effects of multiple projects are caused by the incremental impact of a proposed project in combination with the impacts of other closely related past, present, and reasonably foreseeable probable future projects. The ongoing impacts of past projects are reflected in the existing environmental setting. In this context, the cumulative effects of the Project in combination with the Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.4-50 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023