Port Offshore Wind Equity and Readiness (POWER)
Summary
SCH Number
2025100636
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Port Offshore Wind Equity and Readiness (POWER)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/15/2025
Document Description
The grant agreement funds the planning, final design, environmental review, and engagement strategies with near-port communities, California Native American Tribes, industry stakeholders, and public agencies, for the 430-acre offshore wind (OSW) terminal, known as Pier Wind, at the Port of Long Beach (POLB). Project planning activities include engineering design, environmental review, cost estimates, community, stakeholder and tribal engagement, and workforce development.
Contact Information
Name
REID BOGGIANO
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Electric Generation System Program Specialist I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Suzanne Plezia
Agency Name
City of Long Beach Harbor Department
Job Title
Managing Director of Engineering
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Long Beach
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Citywide, Southern California
Cross Streets
Port of Long Beach
Zip
90802
Other Location Info
Outer Harbor – near Pier 400 and Navy Mole
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs, tit. 14, § 15306
Reasons for Exemption
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sect. 15306 provides that basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource are categorically exempt from the provisions of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This project consists of a comprehensive pre-development planning and permitting effort related to offshore wind infrastructure at the Port of Long Beach. No construction or physical improvements are proposed as part of this effort. The proposed project will primarily involve planning activities such as information gathering, analysis, writing feasibility studies, and site assessments including a limited number of drilling. Other grant activities include capacity building and engagement with local communities, tribal communities and other stakeholders. The grant will also fund advanced engineering and design studies. The studies are leading to an action that has not yet been approved, adopted or funded. For these reasons, the proposed project will have no significant effect on the environment and is categorically exempt under section 15306.
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs, tit. 14, §15262
Reasons for Exemption
In addition, Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sect. 15262 provides that a project involving feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions which the agency, board, or commission has not approved, adopted, or funded does not require the preparation of an EIR or Negative Declaration but does require consideration of environmental factors. Here, the proposed project involves feasibility and planning studies to support the future design and development of the Pier Wind Terminal Project at the Port of Long Beach. The agreement will also fund stakeholder engagement and planning, advanced engineering and design studies and environmental studies for mitigation planning. Therefore, the project is exempt from Cal. Code Regs., tit 14, Section 15262.
The project does not involve impacts on any particularly sensitive environment; 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.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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