HomeMy WebLinkAboutGalena Community Scale Solar PV and Battery Project DOE NEPA determination 2023 REF Grant 7014034 RECIPIENT: Galena Village (aka Louden Tribe) STATE: AK
PROJECT TITLE: Community-Scale Solar PV and Battery Project Galena, Alaska
Funding Opportunity Announcement Number
DE-FOA-0002774
Procurement Instrument Number
DE-IE0000169
NEPA Control Number
GFO-0000169-001
CID Number
GO169
Based on my review of the information concerning the proposed action, as NEPA Compliance Officer (authorized under DOE
Policy 451.1), I have made the following determination:
CX, EA, EIS APPENDIX AND NUMBER:
Description:
A9 Information
gathering, analysis,
and dissemination
Information gathering (including, but not limited to, literature surveys, inventories, site visits, and
audits), data analysis (including, but not limited to, computer modeling), document preparation
(including, but not limited to, conceptual design, feasibility studies, and analytical energy supply and
demand studies), and information dissemination (including, but not limited to, document publication and
distribution, and classroom training and informational programs), but not including site characterization
or environmental monitoring. (See also B3.1 of appendix B to this subpart.)
B5.16 Solar
photovoltaic
systems
The installation, modification, operation, and removal of commercially available solar photovoltaic
systems located on a building or other structure (such as rooftop, parking lot or facility, and mounted to
signage, lighting, gates, or fences), or if located on land, generally comprising less than 10 acres within
a previously disturbed or developed area. Covered actions would be in accordance with applicable
requirements (such as local land use and zoning requirements) in the proposed project area and would
incorporate appropriate control technologies and best management practices.
Rationale for determination:
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide funding to the Louden Tribe/ Galena Village (Tribe) to
procure, install, integrate, and operate a ground-mounted community-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) panel array to
supplement the existing power distribution system located on city-owned property in the City of Galena, Alaska.
Separately from this DOE funded award, a 1 MWh battery storage system would be installed at the existing Galena
Power Plant. The battery storage system is considered a connected action because it is being installed as a result of
the new solar array and is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Potential impacts of
the battery storage system installation are considered in this NEPA Determination.
The ground-mounted solar array would occupy an area up to ten acres on the northern edge of the city adjacent to an
existing road. A security fence would be placed around the array along with an elevated inverter and transformer. The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) classified the proposed installation site as a freshwater forested/ shrub
wetland typically absent of surface water. Potential impacts to the wetlands caused by installation activities would
include rutting and possible ponding of disturbed areas post construction. These impacts are preexisting at the site
due to previous utility installation projects and snow-machine trails. The Tribe proposes to mitigate these impacts by
forgoing the use of gravel, elevating the inverter and transformer, and drilling the support post holes (helical piles
driven into the ground) via a small skid steer while the ground is frozen during the months of March or April. Each post
hole would measure approximately 2.4 inches in diameter, resulting in approximately 260 square feet of disturbance
distributed over the entire array site. Installation of panels would occur in between May and September. Equipment
would be hand-carried into the site and work would be conducted atop scaffolding to reduce impacts. Trenched
conduit to connect the array to existing utilities is already in place, but minimal trenching may be required between
individual sub-solar panels to facilitate connection within the array.
The battery storage system would be installed at the Galena Power Plant within the city. The storage system would be
housed within a small shed constructed adjacent to the power plant (within 100 feet) on a pre-disturbed site. An area
of approximately 180 square feet would be cleared of brush and gravel would be placed to level and elevate the
system. The battery system would be connected with existing switchgears within the power plant via overhead
powerlines. An ARC cabinet would be installed within the existing power plant to control the microgrid system. The
Power Plant is existing, and purpose built.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) website identifies one
threatened species (Wood Bison) which may occur in the proposed project area. DOE determined consultation was
not required for Wood Bison as individuals within Alaska are part of a nonessential experimental population.
Furthermore, the Tribe provided at letter from the USFWS verifying the closest population of Wood Bison are known to
reside approximately 200 miles southwest of Galena and there are no Wood Bison herds on or near the Koyukuk and
Kaiyuh National Wildlife Refuges.
Minimal air emissions would occur during construction from the use of small-scale construction equipment and
vehicles. Significant air impacts are not anticipated as construction equipment and vehicle use would be temporary
and intermittent. Project activities would involve hazards associated with routine construction activities, working with
electricity, and working in cold environments. Any risks working with hazards would be mitigated through established
Tribal and corporate safety and construction protocols. The Tribe would observe all applicable health, safety, and
environmental regulations. The Tribe would obtain and comply with all applicable local, state, and federal permit
requirements and regulations. DOE does not anticipate any impacts to resources of concern due to the proposed
activities of the DOE funded project or the connected USDA funded battery storage system installation.
NEPA PROVISION
DOE has made a final NEPA determination.
Include the following condition in the financial assistance agreement:
If during project activities the Recipient or their contractors encounter any cultural materials (i.e. historic or prehistoric),
all activities must cease in the vicinity of the discovery immediately. The Recipient must inform the DOE Project Officer
of the discovery so that an evaluation of the discovery can be completed prior to continuing work.
Notes:
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (OIE)
This NEPA Determination requires legal review of the tailored NEPA provision.
NEPA review completed by Amy Lukens, 10/30/2023.
FOR CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATIONS
The proposed action (or the part of the proposal defined in the Rationale above) fits within a class of actions that is listed in
Appendix A or B to 10 CFR Part 1021, Subpart D. To fit within the classes of actions listed in 10 CFR Part 1021, Subpart D,
Appendix B, a proposal must be one that would not: (1) threaten a violation of applicable statutory, regulatory, or permit
requirements for environment, safety, and health, or similar requirements of DOE or Executive Orders; (2) require siting and
construction or major expansion of waste storage, disposal, recovery, or treatment facilities (including incinerators), but the proposal
may include categorically excluded waste storage, disposal, recovery, or treatment actions or facilities; (3) disturb hazardous
substances, pollutants, contaminants, or CERCLA-excluded petroleum and natural gas products that preexist in the environment such
that there would be uncontrolled or unpermitted releases; (4) have the potential to cause significant impacts on environmentally
sensitive resources, including, but not limited to, those listed in paragraph B(4) of 10 CFR Part 1021, Subpart D, Appendix B; (5)
involve genetically engineered organisms, synthetic biology, governmentally designated noxious weeds, or invasive species, unless
the proposed activity would be contained or confined in a manner designed and operated to prevent unauthorized release into the
environment and conducted in accordance with applicable requirements, such as those listed in paragraph B(5) of 10 CFR Part 1021,
Subpart D, Appendix B.
There are no extraordinary circumstances related to the proposed action that may affect the significance of the environmental effects
of the proposal.
The proposed action has not been segmented to meet the definition of a categorical exclusion. This proposal is not connected to other
actions with potentially significant impacts (40 CFR 1508.25(a)(1)), is not related to other actions with individually insignificant but
cumulatively significant impacts (40 CFR 1508.27(b)(7)), and is not precluded by 40 CFR 1506.1 or 10 CFR 1021.211 concerning
limitations on actions during preparation of an environmental impact statement.
The proposed action is categorically excluded from further NEPA review.
SIGNATURE OF THIS MEMORANDUM CONSTITUTES A RECORD OF THIS DECISION.
NEPA Compliance Officer Signature: Casey Strickland
NEPA Compliance Officer
Date: 10/31/2023
FIELD OFFICE MANAGER DETERMINATION
Field Office Manager review not required
Field Office Manager review required
BASED ON MY REVIEW I CONCUR WITH THE DETERMINATION OF THE NCO :
Field Office Manager's Signature: Date:
Field Office Manager