Evaluation and Optimization of Orographic Cloud Seeding to Enhance Precipitation in California
Summary
SCH Number
2024111040
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Evaluation and Optimization of Orographic Cloud Seeding to Enhance Precipitation in California
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/27/2024
Document Description
This project will evaluate and improve understanding of how to optimize orographic cloud seeding in California in order to enhance precipitation and runoff into hydroelectric reservoirs. The project will examine the lifecycle of enhanced snowfall from seeding, using a multidisciplinary approach. This approach includes assessing the impact of background aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei concentrations, coupling of models that make it possible to simulate the impacts of seeding from precipitation through to melt and runoff, and the recipient will partner closely with energy stakeholders to determine how best the research results can be leveraged to meet the state's statutory energy goals.
Contact Information
Name
Martine Schmidet-Poolman
Agency Name
CEC
Job Title
Commission Agreement Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Davis, Nevada City
Counties
Nevada, Yolo
Regions
Nationwide, Northern California
Cross Streets
1 Shields Avenue
Zip
95691
Other Location Info
510 2nd Street, Davis: 38.543167, -121.742053
10162 Bunny Hill Dr., Soda Springs, 95728: 39.317, -120.4259
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15306
Reasons for Exemption
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sect. 15306 consists of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. This project is a computer modeling project that will take measurements, gather existing data, and apply computer modeling to assess the impact of background aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei concentrations. The project team plans to augment existing instrumentation at the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Laboratory, a research field station, with aerosol and cloud sensors during the winter season to obtain in situ measurements of background aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei concentrations along the Sierra Nevada crest relevant to this project. The obtained aerosol observations will inform background cloud condensation nuclei and ice nucleating particle concentrations in the modeled simulations, and the results will be presented in paper reports. This work will not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. For these reasons, the
proposed project will have no significant effect on the environment and is categorically exempt under section
15306.
The project does not involve impacts on any particularly sensitive environment; 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.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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