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South Coast Technology Center Project
<br />CEQA Exemption 15183
<br />Construction
<br />During construction, the Project would consume energy in two general forms: (1) the fuel energy
<br />consumed by construction vehicles and equipment; and (2) bound energy in construction
<br />materials, such as asphalt, steel, concrete, pipes, and manufactured or processed materials such
<br />as lumber and glass. Construction of the Project would not consume natural gas.
<br />Fossil fuels for construction vehicles and other energy -consuming equipment would be used
<br />during demolition, grading, building construction, paving, and architectural coating. As shown in
<br />Table 4.6-2, the proposed Project's off -road fuel consumption (diesel) and on -road fuel
<br />consumption (diesel and gasoline) from construction would be approximately 34,671 gallons,
<br />14,149 gallons, and 91,239 gallons, respectively. Consequently, the Project's off -road
<br />construction equipment diesel fuel consumption and on -road construction fuel consumption
<br />(diesel and gasoline) would increase Orange County's consumption by 0.2445 percent, 0.0104
<br />percent, and 0.008 percent, respectively (when compared to the total consumption in 2022).
<br />During construction, the proposed Project would demolish the existing structures on -site and
<br />construct a temporary staging ground for equipment and resources. The temporary staging
<br />ground may include mobile office trailers and equipment (computers, lighting, electrical outlets,
<br />etc.) that may consume electricity. However, the electricity consumption during construction would
<br />be nominal and temporary. As such, Project construction would have a minimal effect on the local
<br />and regional energy supplies (fuel and electricity) and would not require additional capacity.
<br />Additionally, the proposed Project would comply with RR E-1, requiring that heavy-duty diesel
<br />equipment not in use for more than five minutes be turned off, as well as the latest U.S.
<br />Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and CARB engine emissions standards. These
<br />emissions standards require highly efficient combustion systems that maximize fuel efficiency and
<br />reduce unnecessary fuel consumption. Thus, additional energy conservation would occur during
<br />construction. Moreover, due to increasing transportation costs and fuel prices, contractors and
<br />owners have a strong financial incentive to avoid wasteful, inefficient, and unnecessary
<br />consumption of energy during construction.
<br />Substantial reductions in energy inputs for construction materials can be achieved by selecting
<br />green building materials composed of recycled materials that require less energy to produce than
<br />non -recycled materials. The project -related incremental increase in the use of energy bound in
<br />construction materials such as asphalt, steel, concrete, pipes and manufactured or processed
<br />materials (e.g., lumber and gas) would not substantially increase demand for energy compared
<br />to overall local and regional demand for construction materials. Further, it is noted that
<br />construction fuel use is temporary and would cease upon completion of construction activities.
<br />There are no unusual Project characteristics that would necessitate the use of construction
<br />equipment, or building materials, or methods that would be less energy efficient than at
<br />comparable construction sites in the region or State. Therefore, fuel energy and construction
<br />materials consumed during construction would not represent a significant demand on energy
<br />resources. Overall, consistent with the GPU PEIR, construction of the proposed Project would
<br />result in a less than significant impact related to wasteful, inefficient, and unnecessary
<br />consumption of energy.
<br />July 2024 Page 43
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