Burbank Grid Forward
Summary
SCH Number
2026080855
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Burbank Grid Forward
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/24/2026
Document Description
This project will upgrade approximately 30 circuit miles of Burbank service territory’s distribution lines from 4kV to 12kV. It also will install supporting components including poles and transformers, as well as additional grid hardening equipment such as switchgear, protective relays, vaults, and conduit systems. By upgrading aging distribution lines, the project will reduce the frequency and duration of load-induced outages, decrease line losses, and increase the efficiency of energy delivery across the city. This grid modernizing measure strengthens the system's ability to withstand and quickly recover from disruptive weather events.
California Energy Commission agreement number: CER-26-001.
Contact Information
Name
Alana Webre
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Commission Agreement Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Michael Wang
Agency Name
City of Burbank
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Burbank
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Citywide, Southern California
Total Acres
30 circuit miles
Other Location Info
30 circuit miles of Burbank Water and Power service territory.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 CCR section 15301 Existing Facilities
Reasons for Exemption
14 CCR 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. This project will involve minor alteration of existing facilities by converting the existing 4 kilovolt (kV) electrical distribution system to a 12 kV system, but involves no expanding capacity beyond current service levels and will not result in significant adverse effects on sensitive environmental, biological, cultural, or historical resources within the City of Burbank service territory. For these reasons, the project will not have a significant effect on the environment and falls under the categorical exemption listed in 14 CCR section 15301.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 CCR section 15302 Replacement or Reconstruction
Reasons for Exemption
14 CCR section 15302 provides exemption for replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure is to be located on the same site for no substantial expansion of purpose and capacity are categorically exempt from CEQA. The existing 4 kV system poles and ancillary infrastructure will be replaced in the same locations with new poles, overhead crossarms and equipment, and conductor, as needed, to accommodate clearance requirements for 12 kV voltage class. Due to the urban nature of the project location, the lack of sensitive resources, and the limitations of the work areas to the existing utility right of way, the project will not have a significant effect on the environment and falls under the categorical exemption listed in 14 CCR section 15302.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 CCR section 15304 Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
14 CCR section 15304 provides exemption for minor alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation. This project involves limited trenching in previously disturbed land including street or sidewalk areas within public rights-of-way to install underground conduits for the new 12kV poles and does not involve new ground disturbance. Prior to project completion, the trenches will be covered and compacted back to grade and will not be visible. There will be no further activities that cause environmental disturbance than the one listed above. For this reason, the project falls under the categorical exemption listed in 14 CCR section 15304.
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
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.