Building System Energy-Saving Pilot Projects
Summary
SCH Number
2023100132
Public Agency
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Document Title
Building System Energy-Saving Pilot Projects
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/4/2023
Document Description
UC Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (UC LBNL) would continue to collaborate with government agencies, including the California Energy Commission; academic institutions, including other UC campuses; and with public and private research facilities to participate in pilot-level planning, design, installation and operational support, and monitoring of energy-saving and/or low-emission equipment and materials on single or small numbers of existing buildings and facilities. Equipment may include building-level electrical distribution, HVAC, solar energy, heat pump, and plumbing systems. Materials may include insulation, windows, and exterior- and roofing-skins.
The purpose of these pilot-level tests would be to advance building technology for superior outcomes in energy savings, human health, and environmental performance at lower costs. Work would typically take place indoors or on the exterior of existing buildings and facilities as well as in established laboratory settings, engineering and assembly shops, or other appropriately designed research facilities. Activities would be consistent with the missions and permitted uses of such settings and would conform to all applicable health, safety, and environmental rules and regulations.
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
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
+ Multiple Cities Statewide, Berkeley
Counties
Alameda
Regions
Statewide
Cross Streets
One Cyclotron Rd
Zip
94720
State Highways
California
Township
Berkel
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Class 2, and Class 6
Reasons for Exemption
Consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, the Project would involve “minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment” in a manner consistent with their designed and on-going use. Consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15302, the Project would involve “replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible expansion of capacity.” Consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15306, Information Collection, the Project would involve “basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource.” All applicable health, safety, and environmental rules and regulations would be followed; activities would be conducted by appropriately trained and qualified technicians and researchers. Energy use and emissions of existing facilities would generally be lowered by project implementation.
CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 describes a number of exceptions to categorical exemptions, which include the following: location, cumulative impact, significant effect, scenic highway, hazardous waste sites, and historical resources. These exceptions have been determined not to apply to the Project. This Categorical Exemption would not be used in cases where research activities might trigger one or more of the Section 15300.2 exceptions.
County Clerk
Alameda
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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