Gallo Global Nutrition Net-Zero Food Production Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026020277
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Gallo Global Nutrition Net-Zero Food Production Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/9/2026
Document Description
This agreement will replace the aging and outdated R-407 and R-410a refrigeration systems with two ultra-efficient, low charge ammonia refrigeration systems at a dairy facility located in Atwater, CA. This installation of the new system will improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enable on-peak demand reductions.
Contact Information
Name
Jimmy Ledesma
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Mechanical Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Name
Matthew Lopes
Agency Name
Gallo Global Nutrition
Job Title
Administration
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Atwater
Counties
Merced
Regions
Citywide
Zip
95301
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15301 ; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15302
Reasons for Exemption
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, Section 15301 provides that the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, mechanical equipment or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing are categorically exempt from the provisions of
CEQA.
The project will replace existing inefficient equipment with equipment that will reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, with no or negligible expansion of use. The equipment to be replaced includes advanced refrigeration system, piping, and fittings which may require minor alterations to install. The new systems will be installed in currently existing buildings next to the outdated systems. Site preparation may include the construction of a new concrete pad, which will be about 20x20 or less. This project will involve minor alteration of existing facilities and mechanical equipment at the existing dairy facility in Atwater and will result in negligible or no expansion of the existing use. For these reasons, the project will not have a significant effect on the environment and falls under the categorical exemption listed in 14 C.C.R. §15301.
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, Section 15302 provides an exemption where the project involved 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. This
project will replace existing inefficient refrigeration equipment at an existing dairy facility with modernized equipment and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The equipment to be replaced includes advanced refrigeration system and associated piping and fittings. The new equipment will be located on the same
site as the equipment replaced and have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the equipment replaced. Therefore, the new structures are replacing existing structures at the same site for the same purpose. For these reasons, the project falls under categorical exemption listed in 14 C.C.R. § 15302.
The project 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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