V2B Oakland

Summary

SCH Number
2022120068
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
V2B Oakland
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/5/2022
Document Description
This project will design, build, deploy, and evaluate a highly resilient and cost-effective energy and charging system that uses electric transit buses and bidirectional chargers to provide vehicle-to-building back-up power during emergencies, disasters, blackouts, and public safety power shutoffs. By developing bus exportable power supply technologies, this project can increase resilience, health, environmental, and cost savings benefits for ratepayers and communities across the state.

Contact Information

Name
Katelynn Dinius
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Air Resources Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency

Location

Cities
Alameda
Counties
Alameda
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Zip
94607

Notice of Exemption

Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15301 ; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15303 ; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15306
Reasons for Exemption
Cal. Code Regs., tit 14, sec. 15301 provides that projects that consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use, are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. The locations affected by the proposed project are at existing facilities, which have already been graded, disturbed, paved, and have structures constructed. Installation and deployment of the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure would require limited alteration activities such as minor trenching for electrical conduit, delivery and placement of commercial electric vehicle charging equipment, and minor paving and concreate activities to restore the disturbed surfaces. The project activities involve negligible or no expansion of existing or former use and will not have a significant effect on the environment and thus fits within section 15301. Cal. Code Regs., tit 14, sec. 15303 provides that projects that consist of construction and location of limited number of new, small facilities or structures, and installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures, are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. This project includes the installation and construction of two EV charging equipment at existing sites that have been paved and they will be accessory structures to the existing structures. The project also involves upgrading electrical systems at the two facilities to accommodate advanced power controls, new HVAC and air filtration systems. Thus, the project is categorically exempt from CEQA Cal. Code Regs., tit 14, sec. 15306 provides that projects that consist of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource, are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. The project demonstration will utilize zero-emission buses and take place entirely within the confines of the New Flyer, AC Transit, and City of Oakland owned facilities selected for the project and will not introduce any harmful contaminants or produce any local emissions as a result of project activities. Nor would the project create any impacts to air and water quality, or the natural and human environments. The project activities will not have a significant effect on the environment and fits within section 15306. This project does not involve impacts on any particularly sensitive environment, any cumulative impacts of successive projects of the same type in the same place that might be considered significant; does not involve unusual circumstances that might have a significant effect on the environment; will not result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway; the project site is not 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. Therefore, none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.

Attachments

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