Mobile Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generation System

2021080274

California Energy Commission

NOE - Notice of Exemption

8/16/2021

8/16/2021

Robin Goodhand

California Energy Commission

Lead/Public Agency

1516 9th St
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 776-0766

Robin.Goodhand@energy.ca.gov

1000 E Victoria St

90747

310 White Oak Dr Santa Rosa 95409 Sonoma 3263 Industrial Blvd Sacramento 95691 Yolo 431 E St Santa Rosa 95404 Sonoma 155 S G St San Bernardino 92410 San Bernardino 26431 Pine Ave, Rimforest 92378 San Bernardino 24650 Ave Rockefeller Santa Clarita 91355 Los Angeles

Categorical Exemption

Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15301

This project involves the deployment and testing of four mobile energy storage systems (MORBUGs) that can produce standby power from renewable sources through the use of a fuel cell and backup energy storage system. The MORBUGs can act as a backup energy source during grid outages due to public safety power shutoff events, wildfires, or other natural disaster events. Under this project, the MORBUGs will be mounted on a wheeled trailer and towed by a truck using public highways from the grant recipient's subcontractor's leasing office to the project sites. The trailers will be parked on prepared ground and connected to the site's electrical services on the customer's side of the meter. The MORBUGs will be tested at each site to validate their performance in comparison to fossil-fuel based standby generators. The sites' existing electrical panels, cables, circuit breaker and switch gear may require minor customer side of the meter upgrades to enable the MORBUG to connect. Fire and explosion safety precautions will be taken regarding hydrogen storage, batteries and other project components. The leased equipment will be returned to the leasing office at the end of the agreement. There will not be any emissions impact from this project as the fuel cells are a clean power source. There will be no permanent installations or construction at the sites since the MORBUG is portable. This project is therefore categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines because it consists of the minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, mechanical equipment involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use at the sites.

Categorical Exemption

Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15303

The project is also categorically exempt pursuant to section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines because it consists of the installation of small new equipment in small structures with only minor modifications to the structures.

Categorical Exemption

Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15306

The project is also categorically exempt pursuant to section 15306 of the CEQA Guidelines because it consists of basic data collection, research and resource evaluation activities which will not result in a major disturbance to an environmental resource. The project does not involve any unusual circumstances, will not result in damage to any scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway, none of the sites are included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5, and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. The project, when considered as a whole, will not result in a cumulative impact that is significant on the environment. Therefore, none of the exceptions to exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.