MSWD Solar Project for Horton Wastewater Treatment Plant
Summary
SCH Number
2025061209
Public Agency
Mission Springs Water District
Document Title
MSWD Solar Project for Horton Wastewater Treatment Plant
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/26/2025
Document Description
The proposed project would install ground mounted solar (also termed photovoltaic) systems at the existing Horton WWTP site. The photovoltaic system would be sized at 387.2 kilowatts (kW)(the system’s Direct Current [DC] system rating ). This system will be interconnected to the electrical utility grid per the requirements of the utility company and all applicable local, state, and federal codes. The photovoltaic installation at this property would include the installation of 640 modules. The Horton WWTP solar system will include the installation of 6 Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) 60 kW inverters, with an output of 360 kW Alternating Current (AC). The DC design will be based on a 1,500 Volt DC that would accommodate the 2% average highest temperature (44º Celsius) and the extreme minimum (3º Celsius). The project would also install transmission line to the existing line side tap in to the main service panel within the project site.
Contact Information
Name
Brian Macy
Agency Name
Mission Springs Water District
Job Title
General Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Desert Hot Springs
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Verbena Drive
Zip
92240
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15303 d&e
Reasons for Exemption
The State CEQA Guidelines provide a series of categorical exemptions for projects that have been deemed to have minimal impacts on the environment. The proposed project would install ground mounted solar (also termed photovoltaic) systems at the existing Horton WWTP site. The photovoltaic system would be sized at 387.2 kilowatts (kW)(the system’s Direct Current [DC] system rating). This system will be interconnected to the electrical utility grid per the requirements of the utility company and all applicable local, state, and federal codes. The photovoltaic installation at this property would include the installation of 640 modules. The Horton WWTP solar system will include the installation of 6 Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) 60 kW inverters, with an output of 360 kW Alternating Current (AC). The DC design will be based on a 1,500 Volt DC that would accommodate the 2% average highest temperature (44º Celsius) and the extreme minimum (3º Celsius). The project would also install transmission line to the existing line side tap in to the main service panel within the project site. Based on an analysis of the proposed project, the proposed project would consist of solar installation, which is an extension of the utilities within the Horton WWTP site, and furthermore, would be classified as accessory/appurtenant structures that can be implemented without significant adverse impact. Categorial Exemption Class 3, 15303(d) exempts “New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures… (d) Water main, sewage, electrical, gas, and other utility extensions, including street improvements, of reasonable length to serve such construction,” while Class 3, 15303(e) exempts “New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures… Accessory (appurtenant) structures including garages, carports, patios, swimming pools, and fences,” each of which would cover the installation of the photovoltaic system (solar) as part of the Project. The exceptions to the issuance of Categorical Exemptions have been evaluated for the proposed project, and the proposed project has been determined not to have a potential to cause significant adverse environmental effects as a result of any of the exceptions. Therefore, this proposed action is not forecast to cause any potential for significant adverse environmental impacts and qualifies with the requirements for Class 3 Categorical Exemption 15303(d) and (e).
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.