Innovative Wireless Charging for Public Transit Project
Summary
SCH Number
2022030075
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Innovative Wireless Charging for Public Transit Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/2/2022
Document Description
The Innovative Wireless Charging for Public Transit Project (Project) will demonstrate a state-of-the-art electric vehicle (EV) wireless inductive charging system to accelerate the commercial deployment of EV charging for application in the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sector. Momentum Dynamics Corporation (MD) will deploy 300kW wireless charging infrastructure at 7 strategic locations within the SolanoExpress service operated by Solano Transit Authority (STA). SolanoExpress is a rapid transit service operated by and interconnected with Solano County Transit (SolTrans) and Fairfield and Suisun Transit (FAST). SolanoExpress connects residents and businesses to regional transit partners, such as WETA Ferry, Amtrak, and BART. The Project is essential for STA to transition its existing diesel long-haul coach buses to a zero-emission fleet by addressing the three main challenges that slow the deployment of electric buses and charging infrastructure: range constraints, expensive utility upgrades and upfront cost.
Contact Information
Name
Kate Reid
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Air Resources Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
El Cerrito, Fairfield, Suisun City, Vacaville, Vallejo, Walnut Creek
Counties
Contra Costa, Solano
Regions
Northern California
Other Location Info
El Cerrito Del Norte Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART): 6400 Cutting Blvd, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Fairfield Transit Center (Fairfield, CA 94533): Bus transit center located off I-80. Commercial buildings and the interstate surround the lot.
Suisun-Fairfield Amtrak Station: 177 Main St, Suisun City, CA 94585
Vacaville Transportation Center (Vacaville, CA 95687): Bus transit center near I-80. Commercial buildings and the interstate surround the lot.
Vallejo Transit Center (VTC): 311 Sacramento St, Vallejo, CA 94590
Walnut Creek BART: 200 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596.
York St Regional Bus Facility (Vallejo, CA 94590): Extension of the VTC on York Street, across from the WETA Ferry Terminal. Commercial buildings surround the lot.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs, tit. 14, sections 15301, 15303, & 15304
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to Class 1, 3, and 4 Categorical Exemptions of the State CEQA Guidelines. Operation and minor alteration of existing facilities and vehicle operations are categorially exempt from the provisions of CEQA under the Class 1 categorical exemption for the operation, repair, maintenance, and/or minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, and/or mechanical equipment involving negligible expansion of existing use (14 CCR § 15301). New Construction and Conversion of Small Structures and Equipment for the EV chargers is exempt from CEQA under the Class 3 Categorical Exemption (14 CCR §15303). Lastly, the project is exempt under the Class 4 for Minor Trenching (14 CCR §15304). The installation of the chargers will be located in “urbanized areas” and the total impacted areas will be less than 10,000 square feet (14 CCR §15303(c)). The California Energy Commission will be the responsible agency for the project. On September 15, 2020, lead agency Solano Transportation Authority filed their NOE with Solano County, listing the exemptions noted above. This proposed project falls within the scope of that project, which was entitled “Inductive Charging Stations.”
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. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613. For more information, please visit OPR’s Accessibility Site.