Take Charge: Electric Vehicle Charging for Los Angeles County
Summary
SCH Number
2024030586
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Take Charge: Electric Vehicle Charging for Los Angeles County
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/18/2024
Document Description
The project will install at least 300 Level 2 charging ports across 5 shovel-ready sites serving underserved communities in the County of Los Angeles. Centered by the Ramona Gardens Housing Development and encompassing a 1.5-mile radius within East Los Angeles, these chargers will result in a high-density and high-volume deployment that will be publicly accessible to all light-duty electric vehicle drivers.
Contact Information
Name
Elizabeth Maya Muthirenty Varkey
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Energy Analyst
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Countywide
Cross Streets
Lancaster Avenue
Zip
90033
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal Code Regs,tit. 14, sec. 15301, 15303, and 15304
Reasons for Exemption
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 300 Level 2 (L2) electric vehicle charging ports at 5 different existing sites/structures in the County of Los Angeles. All 300 L2 charging ports will either be installed in existing parking lots and parking structures or onto existing LED lamp posts as curbside chargers. One hundred and eighty (180) L2 charging ports will be installed in existing parking lots and structures owned by City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, and one hundred and twenty (120) L2 charging ports will be installed to existing LED light posts also owned by City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works. This project involves negligible or no expansion of existing or former use of the sites. 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. The proposed project activities consist of minor alterations to existing public facilities. One hundred and eighty (180) L2 charging ports with an approximate size of 12"x 5"x 3.5" will be installed at existing parking lots and structures and one hundred and twenty (120) L2 charging ports with an approximate size of 9"x 4"x 6" will be installed to existing LED light posts. Existing electric infrastructure will be used to power EV charging. 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. In this project, the L2 charging ports will be installed at fully developed sites. L2 charging ports will be installed to pre-existing LED light posts or strategically placed inside parking lots and parking structures on designated parking spots. These areas currently do not support riparian habitat, federally protected wetlands, or migratory corridors. Additionally, special status plants, animals, or natural communities are not expected to be found within close proximity to the affected facilities. Therefore, the project falls within section 15304 and will not have a significant effect on the environmentThe 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
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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