Notice of Exemption for EVgo Services LLC project titled: Deploying Regional DC Fast Charging to Support Electric Transportation In Southern California

2024030828

California Energy Commission

NOE - Notice of Exemption

3/21/2024

3/21/2024

Soham Mistry

California Energy Commission

Associate Energy Specialist

Lead/Public Agency

716 P Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 908-7489

soham.mistry@energy.ca.gov

Multiple locations. See attached document for full list of addresses.

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 use, are categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This project involves installation of 66 350kW direct current fast EV charger stalls at ten different existing paved parking lots along corridors in Southern California. The charging equipment to be installed is approximately 40 in x 78 in x 31 in. 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. The proposed project activities consist of minor alterations to existing facilities. Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) will be installed in pre-existing parking lots. Existing electric infrastructure will be used to power electric vehicle charging. Therefore, the project falls within section 15303. Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sect. 15304 (f) provides that projects which consist of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. In this project, the EVSE will be installed at fully developed sites. EVSE will be installed in pre-existing parking lots. 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. 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.