West Orange_Additional Environmental Info_82924

Environmental Impact Memorandum August 29, 2024 Township of West Orange Page 7 4.11 Noise levels An Acoustical Evaluation of Station Upgrades was provided on July 3, 2024 as evidence that all operations will comply with the Township’s noise regulations. No impacts to noise levels are anticipated. 4.12 Energy utilization The proposed upgrades to the Station will enhance the capability of PSE&G to continue to provide essential electricity and meet the needs of the Township of West Orange, therefore resulting in a positive impact to energy utilization. 4.13 Neighborhood deterioration The proposed project will not result in deterioration of the neighborhood. No land uses are changing, and the Station has been a long-term feature in the neighborhood. 4.14 Effect on public services, such as schools, fire, police The proposed project will not result in impacts to public services. The Station has been owned and operated by PSE&G as a public utility use at this location for almost 100 years and will remain a public utility use following the completion of the proposed site improvements. 4.15 Traffic congestion No impacts on traffic are anticipated. The yard is unmanned, and under normal operating conditions, one or two technicians visit the yard in a minivan or light duty truck weekly or biweekly. Three (3) entrances to the Station are controlled by card readers to restrict access. There are two (2) entrances on Mount Pleasant Avenue (south and southwest corner) and one (1) entrance on Prospect Avenue (northeast corner). One of the driveways along Mount Pleasant Avenue enters the Station on a diagonal path. It is very difficult for any vehicles coming from the west to turn into the Station. The driveway will be reconfigured to a perpendicular entrance to provide ease of access. The access gate and card reader will be set back from Mount Pleasant Avenue to allow vehicles to pull entirely off the adjacent roadway prior to opening the gate. Upon completion of construction, the yard will continue to operate under these conditions and will not result in an increase in traffic congestion. 4.16 Health, safety and welfare of existing residents The proposed project will not result in any negative impacts to the health, safety, and welfare of existing residents. The upgrades to the 26 kV yard will enhance the capability of PSE&G to

Environmental Impact Memorandum August 29, 2024 Township of West Orange Page 8 continue to provide essential electricity and meet the needs of the Township of West Orange and the surrounding area, resulting in a positive impact on the health, safety, and welfare of existing residents. 4.17 Regional development policies The upgrades to the 26 kV yard will enhance the capability of PSE&G to continue to provide essential electricity and meet the current and future needs of the Township of West Orange and the surrounding area. 5.0 Recommendation to Mitigate Adverse Environmental Impact 5.1 Drainage plans which shall include, but not be limited to, soil erosion and sedimentation controls. Every effort should be made to limit off-site runoff to predevelopment levels. Drainage patterns, including existing surface runoff conditions and proposed conditions, are presented in the Stormwater Management Report. A soil erosion and sediment control plan has been submitted to the Hudson Essex Passaic Soil Conservation District. Work will not commence without the implementation of the approved plan to control soil erosion and sedimentation. 5.2 Sewage disposal techniques. There is no proposed increase in the number of bathrooms/toilets present on site. There are existing bathrooms in the control house. The 26kV yard will continue to be unmanned, with visits by approximately one (1) to two (2) maintenance vehicles biweekly. Therefore, no impacts on sewage disposal will occur as a result of the proposed project. 5.3 Water supply and water conservation proposals. There is no proposed impacts to water supply. No increase in the number of bathrooms or sinks are present on the site. No new water connections are proposed as part of this project. 5.4 Site design techniques sensitive to the natural environment which should include innovative landscape, building and circulation design. Landscape plantings have been selected to provide year-round screening and texture and supplement the existing deciduous tree cover. Native street tree species are proposed. Bioretention basin plantings include low maintenance bioretention basin seed mix with pollinator-friendly species.

Environmental Impact Memorandum August 29, 2024 Township of West Orange Page 9 5.5 Energy conservation measures During the construction phase, operators will be directed to turn off motors while the vehicles and equipment are not in use to mitigate energy use. 5.6 Noise reduction techniques An Acoustical Evaluation of Station Upgrades was provided on July 3, 2024 as evidence that all operations will comply with the Township’s noise regulations. No impacts to noise levels are anticipated. During the construction phase, equipment operators will be directed to turn off motors while the vehicles and equipment are not in use. 5.7 Construction schedule The construction schedule is provided on the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control plans. 5.8 Miscellaneous on-site and off-site public improvements The proposed project consists of upgrades to an existing electrical station. The perimeter fence along Prospect and Mount Pleasant Avenues has been selected to conform with PSE&G’s security standards and from an aesthetics standpoint. No on- or off-site public improvements are proposed. 6.0 Alternatives The project includes upgrades to an existing electrical switching station. The No Project Alternative retains the property in the current condition at this time, which is an active electrical utility switching station with antiquated 26kV infrastructure and a perimeter fence in an unrepairable deteriorating condition. The perimeter fence does not comply with industry and PSE&G standards for safety and security. The No Project Alternative will avoid the removal of trees on the site. However, the benefits enumerated previously in this memo, including the enhancement of the capability of PSE&G to continue to provide essential electricity and meet the needs of the Township of West Orange, and upgrading the fence to meet the National Electric Safety Standards and PSE&G’s internal security standards, would not be realized by the residents of the Township of West Orange. No alternative locations were considered as the project is at an existing station. The siting of upgraded equipment was informed by proximity to other existing equipment and yards.

Environmental Impact Memorandum August 29, 2024 Township of West Orange Page 10 7.0 Licenses, Permits and Other Approvals Required by Law State of New Jersey Approvals  New Jersey Department of Transportation Minor Access Permit (to be submitted)  New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Water Allocation (BWA) Essex County Approvals  Essex County Site Plan (pending)  Hudson Essex Passaic Soil Conservation District Plan Certification (pending) Township of West Orange Approvals  Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval (this application)  Tree Removal Permit (pending)  Construction Permits (to be submitted)

Environmental Impact Memorandum August 29, 2024 Township of West Orange Page 11 Addendum – Photos of Fence from 2007 View of fence along Mount Pleasant Avenue in 2007.

Environmental Impact Memorandum August 29, 2024 Township of West Orange Page 12 View of fence along Mount Pleasant Avenue in 2007. View of fence along Mount Pleasant Avenue in 2007.

Environmental Impact Memorandum August 29, 2024 Township of West Orange Page 13 Addendum – Photos of Fence from 2024 View of station from intersection of Prospect Avenue and Marcella Avenue, taken August 28, 2024.

Environmental Impact Memorandum August 29, 2024 Township of West Orange Page 14 View of station fence along Prospect Avenue, taken August 28, 2024, showing rusting fence sections. PSE&G’s microwave/radio tower is shown on the right side behind the trees.

Environmental Impact Memorandum August 29, 2024 Township of West Orange Page 15 View of station fence along Prospect Avenue, taken August 28, 2024, showing rusting fence sections. A lightning mast is shown behind the trees.

Environmental Impact Memorandum August 29, 2024 Township of West Orange Page 16 View of fence along Mount Pleasant Avenue, taken August 28, 2024. The entrance to the Station will be reconfigured. Communications/radio facilities are located on the east side of Prospect Avenue.