Coachella Valley Water District Power Purchase Agreement Proposal
Summary
SCH Number
2026061047
Public Agency
Coachella Valley Water District
(CVWD)
Document Title
Coachella Valley Water District Power Purchase Agreement Proposal
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/24/2026
Document Description
The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) will enter into contract with Nobell Energy Solution, Inc. (Nobell) for a solar power purchase agreement; and a site lease agreement. This agreement will be for the installation, operation, and maintenance of a solar project located at CVWD’s Steve Robbins Administration Building (SRAB) parking lot located at 75-515 Hovley Lane East, in Palm Desert, California; and at CVWD’s Water Reclamation Plant No. 10 (WRP 10) located at 43-000 Cook Street in Palm Desert, California.
The primary purpose of the project is to produce renewable energy for on-site use while also providing shaded parking/carports for CVWD employees. The project proposes to design, install, operate, and maintain a solar photovoltaic (PV) energy system on various carports/shade structures to be built on CVWD’s SRAB parking lot and WRP 10 facilities. Nobell also plans to install a battery energy storage system to support demand peak shaving; thereby reducing energy costs from Southern California Edison by generating renewable energy and shifting energy use from peak to lower-rate periods through the use of battery storage. Finally, Nobell will install Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations to be utilized by CVWD employees.
The solar power purchase agreement term is set at 30 years from the service commencement date. The lease agreement involves an easement over a portion of the property. Construction is anticipated to last up to18 months, requiring minimal excavation for the placement of structures and equipment. All ground disturbance activities will take place on CVWD property. CVWD project sites are located in rural residential (developed) areas and are not within any conservation areas of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP).
Contact Information
Name
Luis De Arco
Agency Name
Coachella Valley Water District
Job Title
Supervising Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Carlos Huerta
Agency Name
Coachella Valley Water District
Job Title
Environmental Resources Analyst
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Palm Desert
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Citywide
Other Location Info
75-515 Hovley Lane East, Palm Desert, and 43000 Cook Street, Palm Desert
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
State CEQA Guideline §15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
State CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3) This commonsense exemption applies when there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment and therefore, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
State CEQA Guidelines: §15301, §15303, §15311
Reasons for Exemption
State CEQA Guidelines §15301 (Existing Facilities) allows for the repair and maintenance of existing public structures and facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use.
State CEQA Guidelines §15303 (d) (New Construction). This Class 3 exemption allows for the 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. This includes water main, sewage, electrical, gas, and other utility extensions, including street improvements, of reasonable length to serve such construction.
State CEQA Guidelines §15311 (b) (Accessory Structures). This Class 11 consists of construction, or placement of minor structures accessory to existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities, including parking lots.
County Clerk
Riverside
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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