California Dairies, Inc. - Turlock South Emissions-Free Solar Thermal System
Summary
SCH Number
2020060479
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
California Dairies, Inc. - Turlock South Emissions-Free Solar Thermal System
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/23/2020
Document Description
The purpose of this project is to design, install, and operate a high-temperature solar thermal system that reduces electricity consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the existing California Dairies Incorporated (CDI) Processing Facility located in the city of Turlock, California. The project will occur within a developed area of an existing milk processing facility. The solar thermal system consists of ground mounted intelligent mirror array (IMA) solar collectors, heat transfer fluid (HTF) absorber pipe and a clean-in-place hot water loop. The approximately 4-megawatt solar thermal system will be ground mounted using drive or screw piles for the installation of the solar array footing. Installation of the IMA solar collectors will occur inside a paved, fenced off 2.5-acre area that CDI is currently using for storage purposes. The HTF absorber pipe and hot water loop require approximately 1,300 linear feet of above ground piping with a single underground trench to cross the Tidewater South Railroad tracks. The IMA solar collectors will be used to offset daily natural gas consumption at the facility. Implementation of the IMA system is expected to reduce the facility’s CO2 emissions by 756 metric tons per year, natural gas consumption by 144,256 therms per year, energy facility costs by $69,578 per year, and facility NOx emissions by 560 pounds per year. The project is consistent with the California Energy Commission’s mission of leading the state to a 100 percent clean energy future.
Contact Information
Name
Kaycee Chang
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
California Dairies, Inc.
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Cities
Turlock
Counties
Stanislaus
Cross Streets
475 S Tegner Rd
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301, 15303, & 15304
Reasons for Exemption
The project will involve the installation of solar arrays to provide renewable heat to on-site boilers at an existing milk processing facility. The project has been deemed an allowed modification to the existing food production facility by the city of Turlock and does not require a local discretionary permit. The solar thermal system will be a
minor alteration to existing facilities/ paved areas within the interior of the property, with no expansion beyond the existing dairy processing operation and will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. Previous cultural resources studies in the project area did not identify any historical resources, as defined by CEQA. Given the negative results of these prior surveys and the degree of ground disturbance associated with construction of the existing dairy facilities and railroad, it is unlikely that construction of the proposed project would result in a substantial adverse impact on historical resources. The installation and operation of the system will not result in a significant cumulative impact, damage resources within a scenic highway, cause substantial adverse change to the significance of a historical resource, or be located on a listed hazardous waste site. Therefore, the project is categorically exempt under California Code of Regulations, title 14 section 15301.
The project will involve the construction of a limited number of new, small facilities, which will involve installation of a solar thermal system on an adjacent storage lot at a milk processing facility. Installation of the system will augment the facility’s natural gas boilers to run off renewable solar energy thus reducing its natural gas consumption. This project involves the installation of solar collectors, heat exchangers, hot water storage tanks, piping, insulation, and associated racking, wiring, fittings, and fasteners appurtenant to an existing milk processing facility. Therefore, the project is categorically exempt under California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15303.
The installation of the project involves minor alteration to the condition of the land. A ground mounted solar thermal array system will involve minor trenching and backfilling to provide renewable energy to the existing dairy processing facility. The IMA solar system will enable the facility to operate essential components of the processing equipment using renewable energy thus reducing the facility’s consumption of natural gas and GHG emissions. These activities will not have a significant effect on the environment or impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern. The project will not involve the removal of trees. Therefore, the project is categorically exempt under California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15304.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit OPR’s Accessibility Site.