High Density and High-speed Level 2 Chargers Installation with Dynamic Load Balancing and Power Sharing

2024020782

California Energy Commission

NOE - Notice of Exemption

2/21/2024

2/21/2024

Sara Sanders

California Energy Commission

Energy Analyst

Lead/Public Agency

715 P St
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 776-3028

sara.sanders@energy.ca.gov

92618

Categorical Exemption

Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sec. 15301, 15303 and 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 use are categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This project involves installation of at least 400 19.2 kW high-speed, Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging ports at thirteen different existing, paved parking lots and parking structures in the city of Irvine. The charging equipment to be installed is approximately the size of a pay phone (24.6"x12.6"x6.7"). This project involves negligible or no expansion of existing or former use of the sites. There is potential for grading and trenching activities at the parking lots if there are severe ground irregularities or if new conduits or pipelines need to run underground. In addition, the electric vehicle charging stations will be installed on existing pavement and will connect to existing electrical infrastructure. 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 at least 400 new, small equipment to the thirteen existing sites. The charging equipment to be installed is approximately the size of a payphone (24.6"x12.6"x6.7") and will be installed at 13 different existing, paved parking lots and structures. 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. This project involves installation of at least 400 electric vehicle (EV) charging ports in existing, paved parking lots and structures, and the work will not involve the removal of any trees. 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.