Roseville Power Plant #2 (RPP2) Repower Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025040438
Public Agency
City of Roseville
Document Title
Roseville Power Plant #2 (RPP2) Repower Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/8/2025
Document Description
Roseville Electric is planning to replace a large portion of the Roseville Power Plant #2 (RPP2) power generation facility located just north of the city. RPP2 is a 49.80 MW (comprised of two 24.90 MW GE Frame 5 units) natural gas fired generating facility that provides energy and capacity to support Roseville Electric’s overall power supply needs. The project would remove and replace the existing units and associated equipment with two GE TM2500 units. These units include emissions control equipment, which is not currently at the existing facility. The project also includes rebuilding the 60kV electrical switchyard. Existing foundations and underground infrastructure would be demolished and rebuilt, and the existing fencing would be repaired/replaced as needed, including installing retaining walls as needed for erosion control.
The GE TM2500 units will be within the existing noise thresholds set forth in local and state requirements. The addition of emissions control equipment will require adding structures taller than the current tallest structure on the site. The existing structures are currently visible from just a few limited areas in the residential section located more than 600 feet to the south. These structures would be more visible from the neighborhood to the south, but the remainder of the equipment would remain unseen.
The GE TM2500 units will bring the facility’s nameplate capacity up to 67.20 MW, however it’s effective generation potential would be closer to an additional ~5 MW (from 49.8MW to 54MW). This capacity is measured during the summer when system electrical demand is at its peak and high ambient temperatures limit the units’ ability to generate. While this is an approximate 10% increase at the RPP2 facility, these units are part of a much larger interconnected electrical grid and the contribution to Roseville Electric’s Resource capacity is approximately 1%. For reliability purposes, Roseville Electric targets having an additional 15-20% capacity above our requirements. The additional capacity available from these units will support that need and is well within the General Plan’s estimates of buildout of Roseville Electric’s entire system, in accordance with the intent of the Class 2 Categorial Exemption.
Contact Information
Name
Jessica Lynch
Agency Name
City of Roseville
Job Title
Environmental Coordinator
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Roseville
Counties
Placer
Regions
Citywide, Northern California, Unincorporated
Cross Streets
Nichols Drive and Duluth Avenue
Zip
95765
Total Acres
1.8
Parcel #
017-063-005
State Highways
CA-65
Railways
UPRR
Schools
Diamond Creek Elem, Cooley Middle, Blue Oaks Elem
Waterways
Pleasant Grove Creek unnamed tributary
Other Location Info
2155 Nichols Drive, Rocklin, CA 95765 (unincorporated Placer County)
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2 (CEQA Section 15302) and Class 8 (CEQA Section 15308)
Reasons for Exemption
The project qualifies for Class 2 and Class 8 Categorical Exemptions as described in Sections 15302 and 15308 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines which states:
“Class 2 consists of replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced, including but not limited to: (c) Replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.”
“Class 8 consists of actions taken by regulatory agencies, as authorized by state or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. Construction activities and relaxation of standards allowing environmental degradation are not included in this exemption.”
The project would replace an older technology power generation plant with newer, updated equipment that would be relocated from an existing operational facility within California. The RPP2 facility is currently used to add reliability to Roseville Electric’s system and provide energy to serve our customer load. This facility runs when it is the most economical resource available. Due to the increased efficiency of the new units, these units will run in place of much less efficient resources, often which have a higher potential to emit criteria pollutants.
The existing facility does not have any emissions controls, and currently has no way of measuring emissions emitted when it is operational. The facility cannot be modified to add the equipment necessary to control emissions without being fully replaced. Roseville Electric works closely with the Placer County Air Pollution Control District (PCAPCD) because they have jurisdiction as the local air district. PCAPCD annually issues Permits to Operate (PTO’s) that define requirements for the operation of the units. Roseville Electric estimates that the project will reduce emissions by a factor of 5. Completion of this project will assist PCAPCD in meeting emissions control standards and goals. The project helps the City and PCAPCD reduce emissions which contribute to air pollution in the air basin, thereby protecting the environment.
Additionally, the project will enable the City to respond to State regulations that require more emissions reductions, to have the ability to contribute to the State power grid in times of need, and to prepare for the State’s upcoming transition to renewable energy. The project includes installation of emissions control equipment that will enhance the environment, so the Class 8 Categorical Exemption applies. While the project was not considered to be a part of the Placer Ranch Specific Plan (PRSP) project currently being implemented by Placer County, the facility was considered in the analysis of that project, and the PRSP EIR assumed that the facility would be updated. The project would result in reduced impacts on development of the PRSP area, including improved aesthetics and drastic reductions in pollution emissions.
Additionally, the Roseville 2035 General Plan assumed improvements and modernization to Roseville Electric’s power grid and system, including its intent to increase reliability of the system. The project is not specifically identified as one of those improvements, but it meets the intent of the goals presented in the 2035 General Plan to add reliability to the system. Construction of the project falls within the Class 2 Categorical Exemption. The GE TM-2500 units, along with associated equipment and structures, will be located on the same site as the units, associated equipment, and structures they replace, serving and will have substantially the same purpose. The project would result in the operation of more efficient power generation units, resulting in a negligible 5 MW increase in Roseville Electric’s overall power supply capabilities, needed for system reliability. As a result, the Class 2 Categorical Exemption applies.
County Clerk
Placer
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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