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Acoustical Analysis Report Griffith Energy Storage Project 2.0 NOISE AND VIBRATION LEVEL REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES Potential noise impacts associated with the Project were evaluated with respect to the applicable CEQA noise requirements,the San Joaquin County Ordinance Code,and the Alameda County Ordinance Code. Details regarding each set of requirements are provided below. 2.1 California Environmental Quality Act CEQA requires that significant environmental impacts be identified and that such impacts be eliminated or mitigated to the extent feasible. Appendix G of the CEQA Statutes and Guidelines (State Clearing House,Office of Planning and Research and the Natural Resources Agency,2023)sets forth a series of suggested thresholds for determining a potentially significant impact. Under the thresholds suggested in Appendix G,the proposed Project could be considered to have significant noise and vibration impacts if it results in one or more of the following: a) Generation of substantial temporary or permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance,or in other applicable local,state,or federal standards? b) Generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise level? c) For a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip or an airport land use plan or,where such a plan had not been adopted,within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? 2.2 San Joaquin County Ordinance Code San Joaquin County regulates noise through Chapter 9-1025 within the County Ordinance Code. Per Table 9-1025.9 Part II of the San Joaquin County Ordinance Code,exterior noise at noise sensitive areas is limited to 50 dBA during the daytime (7:00 a.m.to 10:00 p.m.) and 45 dBA during the nighttime (10:00 p.m.to 7:00 a.m.). Further, maximum noise levels are not permitted to exceed 70 dBA during the daytime and 65 dBA during nighttime. Noise sources associated with construction are exempt from these maximum noise levels, provided construction does not occur before 6:00 a.m.or after 9:00 p.m.on any day. Chapter 9-1025.5 goes on to set limits on maximum displacement due to vibration but also exempts operations involved in the construction or demolition of structures or infrastructure. 2.3 San Joaquin County General Plan The San Joaquin County General Plan does not contain regulations for acceptable noise levels. However, for a CEQA analysis,the General Plan defines a significant impact as 3 dB above the ambient level. 2.4 Alameda County Ordinance Alameda County regulates noise through Chapter 6.60 within the County Ordinance Code. Per Table 6.60.040A of the Alameda County Ordinance Code,exterior noise at noise sensitive areas is limited to 50 dBA during the daytime(7:00 a.m.to 10:00 p.m.) and 45 dBA during the nighttime (10:00 p.m.to 7:00 a.m.). Further, maximum noise levels are not permitted to exceed 70 dBA during the daytime and 65 dBA OTETRA TECH 6 August 2023