California Code of Regulations › Title 14 - Natural Resources › Division 6 - Resources Agency › Chapter 3 - Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act › Appendix F

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
Energy Conservation
I. Introduction
The goal of conserving energy implies the wise and efficient
				  use of energy. The means of achieving this goal include:
(1) decreasing overall per capita energy consumption,
(2) decreasing reliance on fossil fuels such as coal, natural
				  gas and oil, and
(3) increasing reliance on renewable energy sources.
In order to assure that energy implications are considered in
				  project decisions, the California Environmental Quality Act requires that EIRs
				  include a discussion of the potential energy impacts of proposed projects, with
				  particular emphasis on avoiding or reducing inefficient, wasteful and
				  unnecessary consumption of energy (see Public Resources Code section
				  21100(b)(3)).
				  Energy conservation implies that a project's cost effectiveness be reviewed not
				  only in dollars, but also in terms of energy requirements. For many projects,
				  cost effectiveness may be determined more by energy efficiency than by initial
				  dollar costs. A lead agency may consider the extent to which an energy source
				  serving the project has already undergone environmental review that adequately
				  analyzed and mitigated the effects of energy production.
II. EIR Contents
Potentially significant energy implications of a project
				  shall be considered in an EIR to the extent relevant and applicable to the
				  project. The following list of energy impact possibilities and potential
				  conservation measures is designed to assist in the preparation of an EIR. In
				  many instances specific items may not apply or additional items may be needed.
				  Where items listed below are applicable or relevant to the project, they should
				  be considered in the EIR.
A. Project Description may include the following
				  items:
1. Energy consuming equipment and processes which will be
				  used during construction, operation and/or removal of the project. If
				  appropriate, this discussion should consider the energy intensiveness of
				  materials and equipment required for the project.
2. Total energy requirements of the project by fuel type and
				  end use.
3. Energy conservation equipment and design features.
4. Identification of energy supplies that would serve the
				  project.
5. Total estimated daily vehicle trips to be generated by the
				  project and the additional energy consumed per trip by mode.
B. Environmental Setting may include existing energy supplies
				  and energy use patterns in the region and locality.
C. Environmental Impacts may include:
1. The project's energy requirements and its energy use
				  efficiencies by amount and fuel type for each stage of the project including
				  construction, operation, maintenance and/or removal. If appropriate, the energy
				  intensiveness of materials maybe discussed.
2. The effects of the project on local and regional energy
				  supplies and on requirements for additional capacity.
3. The effects of the project on peak and base period demands
				  for electricity and other forms of energy.
4. The degree to which the project complies with existing
				  energy standards.
5. The effects of the project on energy resources.
6. The project's projected transportation energy use
				  requirements and its overall use of efficient transportation
				  alternatives.
D. Mitigation Measures may include:
1. Potential measures to reduce wasteful, inefficient and
				  unnecessary consumption of energy during construction, operation, maintenance
				  and/or removal. The discussion should explain why certain measures were
				  incorporated in the project and why other measures were dismissed.
2. The potential of siting, orientation, and design to
				  minimize energy consumption, including transportation energy, increase water
				  conservation and reduce solid-waste.
3. The potential for reducing peak energy demand.
4. Alternate fuels (particularly renewable ones) or energy
				  systems.
5. Energy conservation which could result from recycling
				  efforts.
E. Alternatives should be compared in terms of overall energy
				  consumption and in terms of reducing wasteful, inefficient and unnecessary
				  consumption of energy.
F. Unavoidable Adverse Effects may include wasteful,
				  inefficient and unnecessary consumption of energy during the project
				  construction, operation, maintenance and/or removal that cannot be feasibly
				  mitigated.
G. Irreversible Commitment of Resources may include a
				  discussion of how the project preempts future energy development or future
				  energy conservation.
H. Short-Term Gains versus Long-Term Impacts can be compared
				  by calculating the project's energy costs over the project's lifetime.
I. Growth Inducing Effects may include the estimated energy
				  consumption of growth induced by the project.
1. New
				  Appendix F filed 12-31-74 as an emergency; designated effective 1-7-75
				  (Register 75, No. 1).
2. Certificate of Compliance filed 4-29-75
				  (Register 75, No. 18).
3. Repealer and new Appendix F filed 10-8-76;
				  effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 76, No. 41). NOTE: Order
				  designates that compliance with this appendix is authorized but not mandatory
				  before 1-1-77.
4. Amendment of Section II filed 5-8-80; effective
				  thirtieth day thereafter (Register 80, No. 19).
5. Change without
				  regulatory effect amending section II.D.2. filed 2-1-2001 pursuant to section
				  100, title 1, California Code of
				  Regulations (Register 2001, No. 5).
6. Amendment of Appendix F filed
				  2-16-2010; operative 3-18-2010 (Register 2010, No.
				  8).
Note: Authority cited: Sections
					 21083
					 and
					 21087,
					 Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections
					 21000-21176. Public Resources
					 Code.