Northwest Loop Capacity Upgrades Project

Silicon Valley Power, acting on behalf of the City of Santa Clara, is planning to upgrade approximately 12,000 feet of existing 60 kilovolt electrical line with new bundled 715 aluminum conductor composite reinforced (ACCR) to increase capacity for a new data center. The project involves replacing the conductor, upgrading the 12 kV distribution underbuild, and replacing the fiber optic cable along two segments: from Northern Receiving Station to Mission Substation and from Scott Receiving Station to Central Substation, all within existing rights-of-way. Pole modifications or replacements will be performed to accommodate the higher tension and temperature ratings of the new conductor. Construction is scheduled to occur over a four-week window in January or February 2026, with work hours limited to weekdays between 7 A.M. and 6 P.M. The project is categorized under CEQA Section 15302 as a replacement or reconstruction action, qualifying for a categorical exemption, and has been formally documented with a Notice of Exemption. Environmental compliance includes adherence to protocols for migratory bird nesting, cultural resources, hazardous materials, and local noise ordinances, with inspections and acceptance conducted on-site and finalized through regulatory filings with the City of Santa Clara and Santa Clara County. The project is funded and administered locally, with no federal acquisition regulations, military standards, or procurement-specific clauses applicable. Payment for environmental filing fees was processed through third-party services like VitalChek, with no formal invoicing system or federal accounting identifiers such as TAS or AAC referenced. There is no publicly disclosed contract value, solicitation number, or evaluation criteria for award, as the initiative is not formally solicited under federal procurement rules but rather executed as an infrastructure improvement under municipal authority. Key contacts include John Davidson, Principal Planner, and Ryan Do, Electric Program Manager, who serve as the primary points of coordination. All work is confined to existing utility easements, with no new right-of-way acquisition or permanent staffing additions planned. Post-construction responsibilities, including maintenance and patrol, fall to Silicon Valley Power, with oversight tied to regulatory approvals completed through the City and County clerks’ offices, ensuring compliance with state and local requirements without the structure of a traditional federal contract.