As previewed in mid-September (see Daily GPI, Sept. 18), Sempra Energy‘s two Southern California utilities have filed with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for approval to build a 47-mile, 36-inch diameter natural gas transmission pipeline link in the heart of San Diego County and the center of the population at the southern end of the state. Southern California Gas Co. and San Diego Gas and Electric Co. (SDG&E) made the joint filing, citing safety and reliability reasons. They pointed out that the pipeline was included as part of SDG&E’s already approved multi-billion-dollar, multi-year Pipeline Safety and Enhancement Plan. The CPUC ultimately will determine the final design, construction and route of the project following an environmental review.