Innovative Window Retrofits: Enhancing Thermal Efficiency and Infiltration Performance of Existing Windows
Summary
SCH Number
2026040217
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Innovative Window Retrofits: Enhancing Thermal Efficiency and Infiltration Performance of Existing Windows
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/6/2026
Document Description
This project will develop, test, and demonstrate advanced window retrofit solutions to improve thermal performance and reduce air infiltration in existing window frames. Development and laboratory testing of prototype designs will be done in a laboratory at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Contact Information
Name
Amir Ehyai
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Commission Agreement Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Email
Name
Robert Hart
Agency Name
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
Job Title
Recipient Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Berkeley
Counties
Alameda
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Alvarez Rd and Cyclotron Rd
Zip
94720
Other Location Info
1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley 94720
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15301, Code Regs., tit. 14 § 15306
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15301 provides that projects which consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, and which involve negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination, are categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The activities funded by this agreement are exempt under Cal. Code Regs, tit.14, section 15301 because they involve development of energy efficiency retrofit solutions and advanced window prototypes developed within a laboratory setting in Berkeley, California. The project involves data collection with no serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. This project therefore falls under categorical exemption Section 15301.
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, sec. 15306 provides that projects which consist of 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 exempt from the provisions of CEQA. This project will involve testing and collecting data on window materials when exposed to different temperature and moisture conditions in a laboratory setting. Accordingly, this activity will not have a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource and falls under categorical exemption Section 15306.
Additionally, 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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