Valley Charging Center for Flexible Transport Electrification
Summary
SCH Number
2025050123
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Valley Charging Center for Flexible Transport Electrification
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/2/2025
Document Description
This project will demonstrate an innovative load control management system and efficient medium-voltage power distribution system at an electric truck charging facility in San Bernardino County. The charging facility will be located at either the Rancho Cucamonga site or Bloomington site. The project will demonstrate the feasibility of adjusting commercial charging loads within local distribution grid constraints to increase utilization of existing grid infrastructure, reducing costs and shortening energization timelines. The project team will work with the utility provider on a flexible capacity agreement to support the demands of a medium- and heavy-duty battery electric truck charging facility and accommodate near-term peak demand. Scalable electrical infrastructure will be installed to enable future expansion, supporting over 250 battery electric trucks.
Contact Information
Name
Katelynn Dinius
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Air Resources Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Name
Jules Godino
Agency Name
Current Trucking
Job Title
Agreement Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
Bloomington, Rancho Cucamonga
Counties
San Bernardino
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Napa St & Etiwanda Ave
Zip
92335
Other Location Info
18434 Valley Blvd, Bloomington, CA 92316
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sections 15301, 15303, and 15304
Reasons for Exemption
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15301 provides that projects consisting of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use, are categorically exempt from CEQA. The proposed charging sites are either existing developed sites or vacant lots that will be prepared for EV charging infrastructure. The Rancho Site will involve limited grading with gravel installation for parking and charging areas, avoiding major site impacts. The Bloomington Site, while currently vacant, will undergo grading, cut and fill, concrete work for equipment pads, and asphalt paving to support the charging infrastructure. Limited trenching will occur at the Bloomington Site for electrical conduit, while the Rancho Site will utilize surface-mounted chargers on precast concrete skids, eliminating subsurface installation. These activities involve negligible or no expansion of existing or former use and will not result in significant environmental impacts, qualifying the project under Section 15301.
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, section 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 Bloomington Site will require some site grading, cut and fill, concrete work for equipment pads and foundations, and asphalt paving for the charging infrastructure. The Rancho Site will have limited grading and will include the installation of gravel for the parking and charging areas to minimize site impacts. This project will install five (5) 360kW power cabinets, fifteen (15) DC dispensers, and a transformer and electrical switchgear at the selected demonstration site. For these reasons, the project falls within section 15303 and will not have a significant impact on the environment.
Cal. Code Regs., tit 14, section 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 the removal of health, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. In this project, both potential demonstration sites will require limited grading and will include the installation of asphalt or gravel for the parking and charging areas. The Bloomington Site will require subsurface conduit to feed the chargers across the property. At the Rancho Site, the chargers will be surface-mounted on precast concrete skids which include embedded conduit. These skids will sit on the grade and will not include any sub-surface installation. Limited trenching or piping will be required for either site. There will be no removal of healthy nature or scenic nature. Therefore, this project falls within section 15303 and will not have a significant impact on the environment.
The demonstration 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. Based on supporting regulatory determinations, the project is exempt from CEQA review.
For these reasons, the proposed work will not have any significant effect on the environment and falls under sections
15301, 15303, and 15304.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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