CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. P24-1046
FAX ELECTRICAL UPGRADES
THE PROJECT DESCRIBED HEREIN IS DETERMINED TO BE CATEGORICALLY
EXEMPT FROM THE PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 19 OF THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES
APPLICANT: Kristopher Grey
Projects Administrator
City of Fresno Department of Transportation-FAX
2223 G Street
Fresno, California 93706
PROJECT LOCATION: Fresno Area Express (FAX) Headquarters within the city limits of Fresno.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project involves rehabilitating the FAX Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station, a key facility supporting transit buses, municipal fleets, and private customers. The work will address critical failures in existing equipment, including compressors, dispensers, and related components, which are outdated and challenging to maintain. The rehabilitation will focus on replacing and upgrading deteriorated and damaged mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety. This effort will ensure the facility’s continued safe operation and capability to dispense natural gas effectively.
The improvements will be performed on existing publicly owned infrastructure and will not expand the facility’s existing use, maintaining its primary function of providing natural gas.
This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1 of the State of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
EXPLANATION:
Section 15301/Class 1 consists 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 fomer use. The types of “existing facilities” itemized are not intended to be all inclusive of the types of projects which might fall within Class 1. The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of use. Examples of exempt work, according to code section 15301 (b), existing facilities of both investor and publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services; and code section 15301 (d), restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety, unless it is determined that the damage was substantial and resulted from an environmental hazard such as earthquake, landslide, or flood. The FAX CNG fueling station is experiencing critical equipment failures due to extreme heat and aging components. The station includes various end-of-life parts, such as compressors and dispensers, that are challenging to maintain. Current failures, including ruptured fittings and degraded seals, create unsafe
Categorical Exemption
Environmental Assessment P24-1046
conditions that threaten life, health, and property. The proposed project involves rehabilitating deteriorated and damaged mechanical equipment at this publicly owned facility used to provide natural gas, ensuring it meets current public health and safety standards. If not addressed, these issues could significantly impact transit operations and external customers.
The location of the CNG fueling station is not environmentally sensitive, has access to all necessary utilities and public services, and is surrounded by urban developments. The proposed project involves rehabilitating deteriorated and damaged mechanical equipment, which will not negatively impact the existing characteristics of the area or the condition of the land.
Based on staff analysis, it has been determined that no adverse environmental impacts will occur as a result of the proposed project. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project. Furthermore, the proposed project is not expected to have a significant effect on the environment. Accordingly, as the area is not environmentally sensitive, as noted above, a categorical exemption has been prepared for the project.
Date: August 15, 2024
Prepared By: Drew Wison
Submitted By: ______________________________________
Drew Wilson, Planning Manager
City of Fresno
Department of Transportation
(559) 621-1464