RESCHOOL: Resilient Energy Solutions for Schools

2023120532

California Energy Commission

NOE - Notice of Exemption

12/19/2023

12/19/2023

Lauren Jansen

California Energy Commission

Air Resources Engineer

Lead/Public Agency

715 P St
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 931-9605

lauren.jansen@energy.ca.gov

32°47'53.2"N 116°57'10.3"W

E Park Ave and Roanoke Rd

92020

State Route 67 and Interstate 5

Cajon Valley Middle School, El Cajon Valley High School

Categorical Exemption

15301,15303,15304

Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sec. 15301 provides that projects which consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, and which involve negligible or no expansion of existing or former, are categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This project involves installation of three new bidirectional charging stations at a school transportation facility in San Diego, as well as a new microgrid controller and battery energy storage system. The equipment will be installed in existing, paved parking lots, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use of the facility. Therefore, the project falls within section 15301 and will not have a significant effect on the environment. Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sec. 15303 provides that projects which consist of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure, are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. This project consists of installation of three new bidirectional charging stations, as well as a new microgrid controllers and battery energy storage systems to two existing sites. The equipment will be installed in existing, paved parking lots. Therefore, the project falls within section 15303 and will not have a significant effect on the environment. Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sec. 15304 provides that projects which consist of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve the removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes, are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. The charger installations across the existing facilities will require minor trenching of concrete where the single port bi-directional chargers will be placed and backfilling where the surface is restored. Each site is used as a parking lot, which does not have vegetation. There will be no removal of healthy nature or scenic nature . Therefore, the project falls within section 15304 and will not have a significant effect on the environment. 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.