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5 Comparison of Comparison of Alternatives 5.3.2 Conclusion and Relationship to Project Objectives The No Project Alternative would result in the continuation of existing conditions on the proposed Project site. This would be the environmentally superior alternative as no impacts would occur if the proposed Project site were to remain undeveloped. However, the six Project objectives would not be met, and the environmental benefits associated with energy reliability and associated GHG reduction would not be realized from development of the Project site as a battery energy storage facility. 5.4 THREE-TERRACE SOUTHEAST CORNER ALTERNATIVE Under the Three-Terrace Southeast Corner Alternative, the site would be set back from residences along West Patterson Pass to the north and Midway Road to the west. The facilities would be sited on three terraces with approximately the same final footprint as the Project, as shown in Figure 5-1. This alternative would otherwise be as described in Chapter 2, Project Description. The Three-Terrace Southeast Corner Alternative was selected for analysis because it would slightly reduce impacts to aesthetics and noise by setting the Project site back farther from public roads and residences. 5.4.1 Impact Analysis 5.4.1.1 Aesthetics Under the Three-Terrace Southeast Corner Alternative, all visual elements of the Project would remain the same as the Project, except the layout would require three terraces and would be approximately 800 feet to the east, farther from Midway Road and associated residences. The area of the Project site would decrease, removing the northwest parcel and small additional setbacks from the northern, western, and southern boundaries. Visual impacts associated with the Project are less than significant. The Three-Terrace Southeast Corner Alternative would further reduce the less than significant visual impact of the battery energy storage facility, and the visual impact of the Three-Terrace Southeast Corner Alternative would reduce the less than significant impact of the proposed Project. 5.4.1.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources Under the Three-Terrace Southeast Corner Alternative, battery energy storage facilities would be installed on agricultural properties under a Williamson Act contract and a Williamson Act contract cancellation would still be required. With the implementation of Mitigation Measure AGR-1, impacts would be less than significant. Therefore, under this alternative, the less than significant impact after mitigation due to conflict with an existing Williamson Act contract would be similar to the impact of Project. 5.4.1.3 Air Quality The Three-Terrace Southeast Corner Alternative would develop battery energy storage facilities on the Project site, but with an alternative site layout that would require three terraces and additional grading. Site preparation would require 472,822 cubic yards of cut (65,898 cubic yards more than the Project) and 476,911 cubic yards of fill (71,270 cubic yards more than the Project). The greater amount of earthwork would require a greater number of construction equipment use, such that the Three-Terrace Southeast Corner Alternative would proportionately increase impacts to air quality from ground disturbance, construction, and decommissioning activities as additional Griffith Energy Storage Project 5-8 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023