![]() And they argue red tape and lawsuits around CEQA have contributed to California’s housing and homelessness crises. But some business groups and local governments say CEQA creates too many barriers for projects to advance in cost effective and timely ways - if at all. ![]() Supporters say the law has blocked or forced changes for hundreds of projects that would have worsened air, water and soil pollution and caused other environmental problems that disproportionately affect the state’s most vulnerable residents. ![]() “We’re really trying to lay the groundwork for adequate environmental protections that will improve environmental and public health.” “This is not about being obstructionist,” said Barbara Barragan-Perea, with the organization Restore the Delta, during a Monday morning press conference. And they argue that implementing such big changes now, rather than using the traditional legislative process, doesn’t give Californians enough time to understand and weigh in on potential effects. “We strongly support this plan that will speed up construction, expedite court review, smooth permitting and address the abuse of the CEQA process that has halted key projects,” a coalition of 88 business organizations - including the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Inland Empire Economic Partnership and Orange County Business Council - wrote in a letter Monday, June 5, urging state legislators to approve Newsom’s plan.īut while environmental leaders agree there’s room for some CEQA reforms, more than 100 organizations wrote in a separate letter Monday that some of Newsom’s proposed changes pose risks to residents, wildlife, water and other resources. Gavin Newsom is pitching as part of the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, that law and related policies could be streamlined by the end of the month.īusiness groups say reforming the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, will allow infrastructure and housing projects to advance more quickly, which in turn could help California move closer to its goals for more clean energy and affordable housing. But if legislators approve a sweeping set of reforms Gov. The debate over reforming California’s trademark environmental review law has raged for decades.
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