California Zero-Emission Aviation Demonstration Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024090565
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
California Zero-Emission Aviation Demonstration Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/16/2024
Document Description
The purpose of this project is to advance the widespread adoption of zero-emission electric aircraft in the agricultural industry, by demonstrating the use of five zero-emission, autonomous aircraft, three supporting solar off-grid photovoltaic charging systems, and two zero-emission pick-up trucks at Victoria Island Farms in Holt, California.
Contact Information
Name
David Samuel Wensil
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Energy Commission Specialist I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Cities
Holt
Counties
San Joaquin
Regions
Northern California
Zip
95234
Other Location Info
16021 W Highway 4
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301, 15303
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 use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination, are categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The project will replace existing agricultural spray operations with zero-emission equipment and will not have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, this project falls under categorical exemption Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines.
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 project will include the construction of new temporary structures such as a small hangar, minor office space, portable restrooms, air traffic control area, solar panels, energy storage, and EV chargers. The hanger consists of two 40 ft shipping containers with a temporary sprung fabric structure in between and two 20 ft shipping containers that will act as office space and an air traffic control center. The addition of these new limited temporary structures and small equipment will not have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, this project falls under categorical exemption Section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines.
This 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 impacts on any particularly sensitive environment; 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.
County Clerk
San Joaquin
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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