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Categorical exclusion · example

Chicago Libraries Solar Power

DOE would administer Congressionally Directed Spending to the City of Chicago to install rooftop solar PV systems up to 300kW and make energy conservation upgrades (HVAC retrofits, LED lighting) at city-owned public libraries.1

Facts from U.S. Department of Energy public records, each linked by number to its source; checked November 13, 2026. Section notes by ePlan.

At a glance

Where
City-owned library buildings: Thurgood Marshall Library (7506 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL), West Chicago Library (118 W Washington St, West Chicago, IL) and Northtown Library (6800 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL).2
Size
Rooftop solar PV systems up to 300kW at the library buildings2
Lead agency
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (Solar Energy Technologies Office); decided by the NEPA Compliance Officer2
Review
Categorical exclusion, documented in a NEPA determination signed by the NEPA Compliance Officer2
Legal citation
DOE categorical exclusions B5.1 (actions to conserve energy or water) and B5.16 (solar photovoltaic systems), Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 10212
Status
Final NEPA determination signed June 10, 20262

Timeline

  1. Determination review completed2

Documents U.S. Department of Energy published

What the documents say

CX-271041.pdf

CX, EA, EIS Appendix and Number
Cites categorical exclusions B5.1 for energy conservation actions such as efficient lighting and HVAC, and B5.16 for solar PV on buildings or in previously disturbed areas.2
Rationale for determination
Describes rooftop PV up to 300kW, HVAC and LED retrofits at three city-owned libraries, no ground disturbance, no change in facility use, and no anticipated impacts to resources.2
NEPA Provision
States that DOE has made a final NEPA determination, with review by the Solar Energy Technologies Office completed on 6/10/2026.2
For Categorical Exclusion Determinations
Finds no extraordinary circumstances, no segmentation of the action, and that the project is categorically excluded from further NEPA review.2
Field Office Manager Determination
Provides check boxes for whether Field Office Manager review is required, with no concurrence signature or date entered.2

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A project like Chicago Libraries Solar Power? Describe yours and ePlan drafts the categorical exclusion memo (or short EA) in the agency's format. Where will the project happen?

More examples

NEPA Categorical Exclusion Memo · All Federal NEPA projects

Sources

  1. DOE NEPA categorical exclusion determination pageenergy.gov
  2. CX-271041.pdfenergy.gov