Continuation of the Energy-Water Desalination Program
Summary
SCH Number
2023070025
Public Agency
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Document Title
Continuation of the Energy-Water Desalination Program
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/5/2023
Document Description
The University of California Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (UC LBNL) proposes to continue to support a nationwide, early-stage and pilot research effort: the Energy-Water Desalination Program (the Program). The Program would continue to be administered by the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI), a consortium of national laboratories, universities, public facilities, and private institutions that is led by UC Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (UC LBNL, or Berkeley Lab). In its lead NAWI role, LBNL would continue to coordinate Program efforts, which would include reviewing, awarding, and overseeing funded research by a variety of nationwide applicants for up to ten additional years.
The Program objective is to support early-stage, applied research aimed at lowering the cost and energy use associated with water desalination and treatment. Under the Program, applicants would apply for and be awarded funding for research that meets the Program objective. Research supported by the Program would continue to include conventional, bench-scale activities and small-scale demonstration and pilot projects by qualified scientific staff. Research would typically take place in existing, appropriately designed and outfitted laboratory and research facilities under controlled conditions.
Contact Information
Name
Jeff Philliber
Agency Name
University of California, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Job Title
Sr. Site & Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Berkeley
Counties
Alameda
Regions
Nationwide
Cross Streets
One Cyclotron Rd
Zip
94720
State Highways
California
Township
Berkel
Other Information
UC LBNL's work would take place on UC LBNL campus in Berkeley; funded research locations tbd throughout the US
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Existing Facilities; Class 6, Information Collection.
Reasons for Exemption
Consistent with CEQA Guidelines §15301, the Project would support continuation of general research taking place within existing research facilities, public and private institutions, and similarly appropriate spaces; consistent with §15306, the Project would entail “…basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource.”
None of the exceptions listed under CEQA Guidelines §15300.2 would apply, as the proposed Program activities would take place in developed locations and facilities and not in biologically or environmentally sensitive areas; would not be associated with hazardous waste sites or locations listed pursuant to §65962.5 of the California Government Code; nor would be associated with historic resources or scenic highways. There would not be facility construction and therefore no construction-related impacts.
County Clerk
Alameda
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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