230-kV Transmission Line Steel Pole Recoating Project near Florin Perkins Road and Elder Creek Road
Summary
SCH Number
2025091302
Public Agency
Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Document Title
230-kV Transmission Line Steel Pole Recoating Project near Florin Perkins Road and Elder Creek Road
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/29/2025
Document Description
SMUD proposes surface preparation and coating of seven 125-foot-tall 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line steel poles. The poles were installed in 1980’s timeframe and require new coatings to help maintain the poles. The goal of the proposed project is to extend the life of the steel transmission poles by recoating the poles to mitigate rust and corrosion. Activities will include constructing scaffolding around the transmission poles numbered 983, 984 and 985, masking, protecting, washing, spot preparation, painting with primer, an intermediate coat, and finishing coat. These 3 poles will require existing coating to be removed from the base and up to 50 feet with sand blasting. From 50 feet up to the top pf the poles, we will utilize an overcoat method, new paint over the existing. The existing coating contains heavy metals. A full containment system will be constructed to capture the coating and blasting material. The old coating will be captured and disposed of in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The effects of coating transmission poles on the environment have been evaluated and the project will comply with environmental and safety regulations to prevent exposure to human health and the environment. Pole numbers 982, 986, 987 and 988 will be treated using an overcoat method, new paint over old. Painters will use a high lift aerial platform to gain access to all parts of the poles. Spot corrosion mitigation will occur at these poles using a bristle brush with vacuum attachment to capture debris that is removed. The overcoat method paint will be applied with brushes and rollers; no spray shall be utilized in areas that are not fully contained. This project will require minor grading adjacent to pole 988 to level the ground and allow a high lift aerial platform to operate safely on flat ground. No environmental impacts are expected to occur from the proposed project.
The project is in an area zoned by the City of Sacramento as heavy industrial, (City of Sacramento Planning and Development Code September 2014). The 230-kV lines will be de-energized for the recoating work, however, there will be no disruption to customer’s power. Maintenance will occur between the hours of 6 am through 6 pm, seven days a week. The project will occur on or around October 20, 2025, through November 8, 2025.
Proper protective measures will be used to ensure exposure to metals (no lead detected) and dust does not occur. Protective measures include appropriate respiratory protection (minimum P-100 air purifying half mask), covering for work clothes (e.g. Tyvek), gloves, and proper training. The painting contractors will comply with all environmental regulatory requirements by capturing removed coatings generated and employing Best Management Practices (BMPs) to control releases of coating particulates into the surrounding environment. These measures consist of full containment systems with scaffolding and wrappings and installing a plastic tarp at the base of each tower to collect coatings particulates and debris. The coating particulates and debris will be collected and consolidated in DOT specified containers and marked and labeled prior to removal for offsite disposal. Additional sheeting will be used where there is the possibility of material entering storm drains or being transmitted onto adjacent properties.
Contact Information
Name
Ammon Rice
Agency Name
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
Job Title
Supervisor, Environmental Services
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Sacramento
Counties
Sacramento
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Florin Perkins Road and Elder Creek Road
Zip
58928
Other Location Info
Seven transmission poles within a 0.6-mile stretch of transmission line, running east and west from Florin Perkins Road and south of Elder Creek Road
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines §15301 Existing Facilities; §15304, Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
The project qualifies for a categorical exemption listed in Article 19, Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines for Class 1, Existing Facilities of "both investor and publicly-owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewage, or other public utility service." SMUD is a community owned utility that provides electrical service in Sacramento County and a small portion of Placer County, CA. The Class 1 exemption applies to 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 use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination." The proposed project will provide maintenance for existing steel pole structures to repair and prevent corrosion and will not expand existing use of the existing 230-kV transmission Line. §15304, Minor Alterations to Land, which reads, “Class 4 consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land…”, and “(a) Grading on land with a slope of less than 1 percent...” The 230-kV Transmission Line Steel Pole Recoating Project involves surface preparation and coating of seven steel poles with no environmental impacts anticipated and therefore is considered exempt in accordance with CEQA Guidelines §15301 and §15304.
County Clerk
Sacramento
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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