Understanding of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) in Gas System and Development of Detection Methods
Summary
SCH Number
2023020133
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Understanding of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) in Gas System and Development of Detection Methods
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/6/2023
Document Description
Under grant agreement PIR-22-004, the California Energy Commission (CEC) will provide a grant of $999,970 grant to BioVind, LLC to fund the development of a test kit and field-testing guide for detecting microbial species associated with microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in gas pipelines and storage facilities. The innovative test kit will help lower the risk of MIC-related gas leakages and reduce costs associated with MIC detection, mitigation, and control. Laboratory work will be performed at an existing lab in San Diego. The project will include field work at existing Southern California Gas Company facilities to collect samples for test kit development and for pilot demonstration of the test kit.
The project will result in the ratepayer benefits of improved infrastructure resiliency and reliability, lowered costs due to improved MIC control, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced environmental impact of MIC treatment.
Contact Information
Name
Jeffrey Sunquist
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Commission Agreement Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Cerritos, Los Angeles, San Diego
Counties
Los Angeles, San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Abana St.
Zip
90703
Other Information
Other sites:
To Be Determined (field work at gas facilities) Los Angeles
10210 Campus Point Dr (laboratory) San Diego 92121
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15306
Reasons for Exemption
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, Section 15306 provides that projects which consist of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities, and which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource are categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. This project involves computer modeling and paper studies to conduct a corrosion risk assessment of gas pipelines.
The field test kit will be developed and tested at a laboratory in San Diego. Field work (sampling and testing) will take place at existing Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) facilities, such as, but not limited to, pipelines and ancillary equipment, located in Los Angeles County. Field work is limited to existing SoCalGas facilities, and trenching, if necessary, is limited to SoCalGas-controlled property which has no sensitive environmental resources. The project will be managed at an office in Cerritos. This work will not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. For these reasons, the proposed project will have no significant effect on the environment and is categorically exempt under section 15306.
The project will not impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern where designated, precisely mapped, and officially adopted pursuant to law by federal, state, or local agencies; does not involve 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
Notice of Exemption
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