In 2001, in an effort to mitigate California’s electric power transmission constraints, the Secretary of Energy directed the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) to prepare plans to construct an 84-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line along the western side of the San Joaquin Valley (the Path 15 Upgrade). The Secretary delegated authority to WAPA to acquire and condemn property interests along the corridor in order to complete the project.
In 2003, the United States began condemnation proceedings in the district court on behalf of WAPA to acquire easements on approximately 14.02 acres of land in western Fresno County.
