California Zero-Emission School Bus Infrastructure Project

2024050208

California Energy Commission

NOE - Notice of Exemption

5/6/2024

5/6/2024

Jennifer Masterson

California Energy Commission

Energy Specialist

Responsible Agency

715 P Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 897-3614

jennifer.masterson@energy.ca.gov

Throughout the State of California

Categorical Exemption

Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sec. 15301, 15303, 15304, 15311 and 15314

Under this agreement, CALSTART, Inc., will develop and implement financial incentive projects solely to fund the purchase and installation of zero-emission vehicle fueling infrastructure, including but not limited to electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment. The zero-emission school bus fueling equipment funded under this agreement will only involve commercially available products being predominantly installed in existing parking areas, at existing school yards, or existing facilities. 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 zero-emission vehicle fueling infrastructure. The equipment will be predominantly installed in existing paved parking lots, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use of the facilities. Therefore, the proposed 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 the installation of a limited number of new small equipment (approximately 1 foot wide, 1 foot long, and 5 feet tall) in the form of EV charging equipment which will be added to predominantly existing parking areas, or hydrogen refueling equipment. For sites that will involve hydrogen refueling, the equipment may consist of hydrogen storage tanks, compression, and dispensing equipment at various sites. This work will only require minor modifications, such as small amounts of trenching, extending electrical lines to the equipment, securing the EV charging equipment in place, and adding signage. Therefore, the proposed 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 removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes, are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. For the installation of the equipment in this project, there will be minimal trenching to connect storage and compression equipment to dispensers. No healthy mature or scenic trees are anticipated to be removed and the surface will be restored. Therefore, the proposed project falls within section 15304 and will not have a significant effect on the environment. Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sect. 15311 provides that projects that consist of the construction or replacement of minor structures accessory to existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. This project meets the requirements of 15311 because it involves installation of accessory items such as EV charging equipment and hydrogen refueling equipment which are minor in scope and will be accessory to existing institutional facilities (schools). Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sec. 15314 provides that projects consisting of minor additions to existing schools within existing school grounds where the addition does not increase original student capacity is exempt from the provisions of CEQA. This project meets the requirements of 14 CCR 15314 because it involves minor equipment additions to existing schools and does not increase student capacity at the schools. Therefore, the project falls within 15314 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.