EVIUM CHARGING LLC's Proposal for REACH 2.0 NORTHERN CA Region

2024090677

California Energy Commission

NOE - Notice of Exemption

9/17/2024

9/17/2024

Kyle Corrigan

California Energy Commission

Associate Energy Specialist

Lead/Public Agency

715 P Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 776-7195

kyle.corrigan@energy.ca.gov

90 F St, 6351 Country Club Dr, 1745 46th Ave, 1495 Don Ave

multiple

Site 1: 90 F St, Martinez, CA 94553; Site 2: 6351 Country Club Dr, Rohnert Park, CA 94928; Site 3:1745 46th Ave, Capitola, CA 95010 ; Site 4: 1495 Don Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95050

Categorical Exemption

CCR section numbers 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 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. This project involves installation of electric vehicle charging stations at existing parking facilities. The electric vehicle charging stations will be installed on existing paved parking lots, connected to existing electrical panels, and will involve negligible or no expansion of use. 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 new small equipment to existing sites. Specifically, level 2 electric vehicle charging equipment to be installed is approximately the size of a pay phone. The equipment will be installed in existing, paved parking lots. Therefore, the project falls within section 15303 and will not have a significant effect on the environment. Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sect. 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 and agricultural purposes are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. In this project, minor trenching may be necessary to lay two-inch conduit from existing electrical panels to the charging equipment, totaling approximately 2 cubic feet per foot of distance from the electrical panel, to connect the proposed new electric vehicle charging station equipment to an existing electrical supply panel. The trenching will take place on currently paved ground, will not involve the removal of any trees, and surface will be restored. Therefore, the project falls within section 15304 and will not have a significant effect on the environment. Additionally, 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.