Riverside County Fire Department Perris Administration Facility Natural Gas Generator and Automatic Transfer Switch
Summary
SCH Number
2025081236
Public Agency
Riverside County
Document Title
Riverside County Fire Department Perris Administration Facility Natural Gas Generator and Automatic Transfer Switch
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/27/2025
Document Description
The Riverside County Fire Administration facility is located at 403 E. 4th Street in Perris, California, 92570. The Fire Department supports our local Riverside County residents and businesses and has over 100 fire stations throughout the County that need to remain operational during an emergency and power outage event. The Fire Administration facility is in need of a new natural gas generator and automatic transfer switch to support the facility and keep it running during an emergency. The scope of work for the Fire Admin Generator and Transfer Switch Project (Project) includes, but is not limited to, engineering for installation of generator and automatic transfer switch, installation of a 225kVA/180kW natural gas generator with an outdoor sound attenuated enclosure, installation of outdoor rated 1200A automatic transfer switch, modifications to existing 1200A electrical service, electrical conduits, fittings, supports, wiring, and an upgrade of existing gas meter and piping to the new generator location. The upgrades to the emergency backup power at the Perris Fire Administration facility is defined as the proposed project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The operation of the site will continue to provide public services at the existing facility and will not result in a significant expansion of existing use. No additional direct or indirect physical environmental impacts are anticipated.
Contact Information
Name
Mike Sullivan
Agency Name
Riverside County
Job Title
Senior Environmental Planner/Facilities Operations Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Perris
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
403 East 4th Street/South G Street
Zip
92570
Parcel #
310-082-009
State Highways
I-215
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15301 Class 1 Existing Facilities
Reasons for Exemption
This Class 1 categorical exemption includes the operation, repair, maintenance, leasing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures or facilities, provided the exemption only involves negligible or no expansion of the previous site’s use. The upgrades to the emergency backup power at the Perris Fire Administration facility, including the installation of an automatic transfer switch, new natural gas generator, attenuated sound enclosure, and utility infrastructure upgrades are needed to maintain public services in the event of a loss of power at the existing facility. The emergency backup power systems would operate only in emergencies or for periodic testing to ensure the systems are working properly. The improvements to the existing facility to connect the emergency power system would not expand the capacity of the site and would result in the continuation of public services; therefore, the project is exempt as the improvements meet the scope and intent of the Categorical Exemption identified in Section 15301, Article 19, Categorical Exemptions of the CEQA Guidelines.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Section 15061 (b)(3) Common Sense
Reasons for Exemption
In accordance with CEQA, the use of the Common Sense Exemption is based on the “general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.” State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061(b) (3). The use of this exemption is appropriate if “it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” Ibid. This determination is an issue of fact and if sufficient evidence exists in the record that the activity cannot have a significant effect on the environment, then the exemption applies and no further evaluation under CEQA is required. See No Oil, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles (1974) 13 Cal. 3d 68. The ruling in this case stated that if a project falls within a category exempt by administrative regulation or 'it can be seen with certainty that the activity in question will not have a significant effect on the environment', no further agency evaluation is required. With certainty, there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. The installation of the upgrade to the emergency backup power at the Perris Fire Administration facility will not result in any direct or indirect physical environmental impacts.
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.