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Governor Jerry Brown releases environmental reform package
File: California Gov. Jerry Brown looks on during The Governor's Conference on Extreme Climate Risks and California's Future on December 15, 2011 in San Francisco, California.
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Gov. Jerry Brown spoke Wednesday about the future benefits Californians will see under the California Environmental Quality Act. It's a state law which attempts to streamline the process big projects go through when looking at the future environmental impact of their implementation.
“These reforms will fast-track key projects that put Californians to work,” said Brown. “Like California, CEQA must be more nimble.”
Lawmakers passed several reforms to the review process last year in the final minutes of the legislative session. Now, they’re taking effect.
One exempts proposed rooftop and parking lot solar projects from lengthy study. Another set of guidelines aims to simplify studies for urban development, where those projects already must meet zoning and general plan requirements.
Now environmentalists who are skeptical of streamlining efforts say they’ll watch closely to see if faster review equals weaker review.
The state’s releasing the guidelines as new efforts to expand CEQA reform are underway in the state Legislature.
Democratic Assemblyman Mike Feuer has introduced a bill that would streamline environmental review for rail projects in urban areas.
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