Leidesdorff-Coloma Substation Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026010095
Public Agency
Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Document Title
Leidesdorff-Coloma Substation Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/6/2026
Document Description
SMUD proposes upgrading the existing Leidesdorff-Coloma Substation, which will primarily involve replacing aging equipment to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the substation.
To complete the substation upgrade, the substation will be deenergized and all the existing equipment will be removed including the grounding grid which is buried approximately 18-inches deep. The only exception is the subtransmission tower, located in the eastern portion of the substation, which will remain and to which only minor upgrades are required.
Prior to replacing the substation equipment, the substation will be graded and leveled by importing soil and gravel to raise the northern half of the substation approximately 5 feet. The driveways within the substation will be replaced, and new substation equipment will be installed including the transformers, switch gear, spill and stormwater containment, and the underground grounding grid. The heights of the new substation structures will be comparable in height to the existing structures in the existing substation. The footprint of the approximately 1-acre substation will not increase; although, the configuration of the fencing will slightly change to accommodate the design. The new substation fence around the perimeter of the substation will consist of 10-foot chain link fence topped by barbed wire with larger entrances for both gates along Leidesdorff Street.
An additional component of the project consists of trimming or removing vegetation within a 27-foot strip of SMUD-owned property located adjacent to the substation’s western boundary and installing a new non-conductive fence along the western property line. If the vegetation is removed rather trimmed, the area will be graveled and used as a secondary maintenance access route to the substation and SMUD’s property located north of the substation.
Construction is anticipated to start in the fall of 2026, and the substation will be reenergized in spring 2027.
Contact Information
Name
Kim Crawford
Agency Name
Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Job Title
Environmental Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Folsom
Counties
Sacramento
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Leidesdorff Street and Coloma Street
Zip
95630
Total Acres
<1 acre
State Highways
Hwy 50
Waterways
American River
Other Location Info
The project site is located at 300 Leidesdorff Street in Folsom, California, which is located in Sacramento County. The project site is bounded by the American River to the north, Leidesdorff Street to the south, and residential housing to the east and west.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines 15301(b), Existing Facilities; 15302(c), Replacement or Reconstruction; and 15303(d), New Construction
Reasons for Exemption
Under CEQA Guidelines § 15062, a lead agency must identify the rationale for making the determination that a project is exempt under CEQA. SMUD has determined that the Leidesdorff-Coloma Substation Project is exempt under CEQA Guidelines §15301(b), Existing Facilities, which reads “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 former use” and “(b) Existing facilities of both investor and publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services”…; § 15302(c), Replacement or Reconstruction, which reads, “Class 2 consists of replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced …” and “(c) Replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity”…; and §15303(d), New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures, which reads “Class 3 consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure…” and “(d) Water main, sewage, electrical, gas, and other utility extensions, including street improvements, of reasonable length to serve such construction.” The Leidesdorff-Coloma Substation Project would not result in any significant impacts due to unusual circumstances as described in the exceptions to the exemption noted in §15300.2. The Leidesdorff-Coloma Substation Project involves the replacement of existing substation equipment, undergrounding of the grounding grid within the existing footprint, and trimming and/or removal of ornamental vegetation outside the current fenceline, and therefore is considered exempt in accordance with CEQA Guidelines §15301, §15302, and §15303.
County Clerk
Sacramento
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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