Cal Poly Pier TEAMER xNode Deployment Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026100059
Public Agency
California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
Document Title
Cal Poly Pier TEAMER xNode Deployment Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/1/2026
Document Description
Cal Poly CCMS administers the Cal Poly Pier, which operates as a marine research and educational facility. The Cal Poly Pier and surrounding waters have been approved to be a part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Testing Expertise and Access for Marine Energy Research (TEAMER) facility network as an open water test site. The Cal Poly Pier xNode Deployment Project is a 3-month sea trial of a small submergible, buoy scale, ocean wave energy converter at the Cal Poly Pier testing facility. The xNode technology converts ocean wave energy into electric power and data connectivity, offering a low impact solution for offshore operations. The project will help collect data in real ocean environment conditions and evaluate the feasibility of using wave energy systems to provide persistent, low-emission power for oceanographic monitoring, scientific research, remote sensing, communications, and other offshore applications. Development of the xNode is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Navy and TEAMER. The sea trial is proposed by Cal Poly CCMS in partnership with Dolphin Labs. The project total duration could be for up to a 6 months, including deployment, 3-month open water testing, and decommissioning.
Contact Information
Name
Scott Bloom
Agency Name
California Polytechnic State University
Job Title
Campus Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
San Luis Obispo, unincorporated city Avila Beach
Counties
San Luis Obispo
Regions
Northern California, Southern California
Cross Streets
Avila Beach Drive and Cal Poly Pier
Zip
93424
Total Acres
930
Parcel #
076-174-010
Waterways
Pacific Ocean, San Luis Obispo Creek
Township
32S
Range
12E
Section
27
Base
MDPM
Other Location Info
Cal Poly Pier on Avila Beach Drive
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 6, Information Collection: Sec. 15306
Reasons for Exemption
The project qualifies for Categorical Exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15306 (Information Collection) as the project includes deployment of a small-scale wave energy converter technology for research and open water resource evaluation activities which do not result in serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. In this instance, the project is intended to measure the power generation, communications, and long-term system reliability to support persistent, low-emission power for oceanographic monitoring, scientific research, remote sensing, communications, adjacent to the Cal Poly Pier in San Luis Obispo Bay. The Cal Poly Pier and surrounding waters have been approved to be a part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s TEAMER facility network as an open water test site. Deployment of the xNode would provide a clear understanding of the performance, survivability, and operational capabilities in the ocean environment. The CCMS TEAMER open water testing facility can appropriately design, model, manage risks, and deploy marine testing devices. Deployment of the xNode is strictly for information-gathering purposes. Information Collection as the project includes testing of technology for research and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. No equipment or debris will remain in the marine environment after project completion.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 3, New Small Facilities and Equipment: Sec. 15303
Reasons for Exemption
Related to the construction, CEQA Guidelines Sections 15303 (New Small Facilities and Equipment) and 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) are also applicable. Projects found to be exempt under Section 15303 include the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures. Section 15304 includes projects that involve minor alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees and involve minor grading, trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored. The Project will not involve any removal of trees and any alterations to the seafloor would be minor and temporary.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land: Sec. 15304
Reasons for Exemption
Related to the construction, CEQA Guidelines Sections 15303 (New Small Facilities and Equipment) and 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) are also applicable. Projects found to be exempt under Section 15303 include the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures. Section 15304 includes projects that involve minor alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees and involve minor grading, trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored. The Project will not involve any removal of trees and any alterations to the seafloor would be minor and temporary.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Section 15300.2
Reasons for Exemption
In accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Section 15300.2, the project would not have a significant impact on an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern and would not otherwise impact on a particularly sensitive environment due to its location. In addition, there would be no cumulative impacts related to the project; there are no
known unusual circumstances that would have a significant effect on the environment; the project would not be located within an officially designated state highway; no trees, rock outcroppings or historic buildings would be removed or damaged; there are no hazardous waste sites within 1,000 feet of the project site; and the project would not cause a substantial change in
the significance of a historical resource.
Based on the aforementioned, the proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment and is, therefore, exempt from the provisions of CEQA.
County Clerk
San Luis Obispo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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