Docket Number
19-SPPE-03
Capacity
96.5 MW
Location
Santa Clara
Technology
Backup Generating System
Project Status
Exempted
Project Type
Small Power Plant Exemption
Project Description

The Sequoia Data Center (SDC) would include a data center building, the Sequoia Backup Generating Facility (SBGF), and an electrical substation. The 15-acre project site is located at 2600 De La Cruz Boulevard in the City of Santa Clara. The SDC building would be four stories and would encompass approximately 702,114 square feet of gross area, of which approximately 70,000 square feet would be dedicated for administrative and office uses. The SBGF would consist of 54 diesel-fired generators arranged in a generation yard located on the west and south sides of the SDC. The SBGF would be used exclusively to provide backup generation to support the SDC during emergency loss of utility power. The 100 megavolt amps electrical substation would be located in the western portion of the site. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires the lead agency to consider the whole of the action; therefore, the Energy Commission will include the entire data center project in its analysis, which includes the construction of the data center buildings along with the installation and operation of the generators and any associated utility connection facilities. 

Presiding Member: Karen Douglas, Commissioner

Associate Member: Patty Monahan, Commissioner

Hearing Officer: Susan Cochran

June 25, 2021, Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of an Order Granting a Small Power Plant Exemption for the Sequoia Backup Generating Facility

May 11, 2021, Prehearing Conference, Evidentiary Hearing, Scheduling Order, and Further Orders

March 12, 2021, Committee Conference for the Primary Purpose of Conducting a Closed Session

Small Power Plant Exemption

The CEC Small Power Plant Exemption (SPPE) process allows applicants proposing thermal power plants between 50 and 100 MW to obtain an exemption from the CEC’s jurisdiction and proceed with local permitting rather than requiring CEC certification. The CEC can grant an exemption if it finds that the proposed facility will not create a substantial adverse impact on the environment or energy resources. These facilities were exempted from the CEC’s jurisdiction.

Contacts

Project Manager

Leonidas (Lon) Payne
STEPsiting@energy.ca.gov
(Please enter project name in the email subject line)
916-838-2124

Public Participation Questions

Public Advisor
publicadvisor@energy.ca.gov
916-957-7910

Media Inquiries

Media & Public Communications Office
mediaoffice@energy.ca.gov
916-654-4989

Subscribe Sequoia Data Center

Automated Email Notifications