RES 221270 - Laserfiche WebLink

City of Pleasanton Pleasanton Climate Action Plan 2.0 56 a. Would the project create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials? b. Would the project create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment? The CAP 2.0 is a policy document containing strategies and actions to reduce GHG emissions. The CAP 2.0 does not involve identified site-specific development and, for the most part, it would not facilitate new development that would involve the routine use of hazardous materials. Implementation of some of the CAP 2.0 actions, such as energy and water efficiency retrofits and installation of EV charging stations, would require construction activities. Construction would involve the temporary use of hazardous materials such as vehicle fuels and fluids that could be released should an accidental leak or spill occur. However, these types of materials are not considered acutely hazardous, and storage, handling, and disposal of these materials are regulated by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, U.S. EPA, and Occupational Safety & Health Administration. In addition, standard construction BMPs for the use and handling of such materials would avoid or reduce the potential for such conditions to occur. Any use of potentially hazardous materials during construction of projects would comply with all local, State, and federal regulations regarding the handling of potentially hazardous materials, including Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations and Title 22, Division 4.5 of the CCR. Risk of spills would cease after construction is completed. Therefore, construction activities related to CAP 2.0 actions would not be anticipated to create upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials, and operation of the majority of CAP 2.0 actions would not involve the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials during operation. However, CAP 2.0 Actions S3 and P4 emphasizes increasing local renewable energy production and battery energy storage facilities within the City by encouraging municipal facilities and new developments to include small-scale solar and/or battery storage systems in their design. Hazardous materials used in battery energy storage systems would generally consist of the lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion technology is a common battery storage medium and is considered one of the safest and most efficient methods of energy storage on the market. During normal operation, lithium-ion batteries do not represent a risk to off-site receptors, and safety standards applicable to energy storage facilities and safety certification tests established by independent bodies, such as Underwriters Laboratories, National Fire Protection Association, and International Electrotechnical Commission would prevent any reasonable possibility of a substantial adverse effect on the environment related to the lithium-ion batteries. However, in the unlikely event of a fire, there is a risk of the accidental release of hazardous materials associated with battery energy storage systems. Any future proposed battery energy storage facilities would, therefore, be carefully reviewed for appropriate locations, safety measures, and consistency with the Pleasanton General Plan, PMC, and applicable local, State, and federal regulations. Therefore, the CAP 2.0 would result in a less-than-significant impact related to creating a significant hazard through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials and reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials.