CX-100826 Categorical Exclusion Determination

Energy Efficiency Assistance for Galena
Award Number: DE-EE0007854
CX(s) Applied: A9, B2.1, B5.1, B5.16
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Date: 3/1/2017
Location(s): AK
Office(s): Golden Field Office

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide funding to the City of Galena for energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions in 18 City of Galena owned buildings at Galena, Alaska. These solutions include only light-emitting diode (LED) lighting upgrades in 17 of the 18 city buildings. One building, Building 1769, would receive LED lighting upgrades; modification, retrofitting, and weatherization solutions to and within the building; and a roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system.

DOE has reviewed each of the proposed activities and the associated locations where those activities would occur. The LED lighting upgrades would require no modifications to the buildings involved and there would be no change in the use, mission, or operations of these facilities. None of the proposed activities require ground disturbing activities. No new permits are required for any of the activities. Building 1769 would be modified as part of the project. The warehouse is approximately 64,000 square feet (260 ft. x 240 ft.) in size. The proposed project activities would ‘wall-in’ a smaller area (approximately 10,000 sq. ft.) within the warehouse to more efficiently heat the space for maintaining and storing timber harvesting equipment and the biomass boiler system. The energy efficiency renovations would include construction of a new wall with steel framing, plastic sheeting, high R-value insulation, and sheetrock siding. A new small wood-chip boiler system would be installed to heat the newly created maintenance/storage area. The Louden Tribal Council is working with the City of Galena to help provide an approximate 6.5 kW solar PV system that would be installed on the roof of the building. This system would be installed facing due south at an angle of approximately 65 degrees which would place the top of the system less than seven feet above the roofline and would require an area of approximately 30 ft. x 12 ft. The project would involve the handling and replacement of fluorescent bulbs so proper handling and disposal practices would be followed. All hazardous mercury would be managed in accordance with federal, state and local environmental regulations. Any and all hazardous ballasts and florescent tubes that must be recycled with special care and handling would be shipped out of the community for recycling in Fairbanks or Anchorage. Any construction waste material generated would be disposed of at the local community landfill. The Galena landfill is active and currently permitted with the State of Alaska.