CEQA

CEQA and High-Speed Rail Foes Dealt Setback by Federal Board

Faced with seven CEQA lawsuits from rail opponents threatening to delay the high-speed rail project, the California High-Speed Rail Authority sought preemption of the California environmental law. The Surface Transportation Board agreed.

December 17, 2014 - The Fresno Bee

A New Era in California for Evaluating Transportation Emissions

An appellate court's rejection of SANDAG's $200 billion sustainable communities plan holds far-reaching implications for how regional planners evaluate greenhouse gas emissions from transportation to meet SB 375 requirements to the year 2050.

December 8, 2014 - San Diego Union-Tribune

In Defense of Uncertainty in the Development Approval Process

While streamlining and anti-NIMBYism are in vogue, Murtaza Baxamusa reminds us what's really at stake.

October 16, 2014 - UrbDeZine

High Speed Rail Opponents Appeal to California Supreme Court

Recall that recent 'great news' for the embattled High Speed Rail Authority? The appeals court ruling breathed new life into the $68 billion project as it released the lower court's hold on $9.95 billion in bond funds. Opponents are not deterred.

August 13, 2014 - The Fresno Bee

California's Proposed Traffic Impact Rules Rethink Congestion

California planning expert Bill Fulton discusses a long-awaited proposal from the Governor's Office of Planning and Research that would shift the state's traffic impact assessments away from their current focus on traffic congestion.

August 10, 2014 - California Planning and Development Report

The Many Benefits of 'Level of Service' Reform

A long read by Eric Jaffe serves as a primer on the "Level of Service" (LOS) requirement in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as well as predicting the large impact of LOS reform on planning in the state and around the country.

July 9, 2014 - CityLab

CEQA Crusader or CEQA Bounty Hunter?

Liam Dillon tells the story of Cory Briggs, a notorious lawyer in Southern California famous for opposing projects under the auspices of the California Environmental Quality Act.

June 13, 2014 - Voice of San Diego

Tech Bus Opponents in S.F. go to Court to Halt Buses using CEQA

Having lost their CEQA appeal with the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the "tech bus" opponents are taking their case to the court, arguing that environmental impacts from the large, luxury private buses using public bus stops must be addressed.

May 4, 2014 - The San Francisco Examiner

Google Bus Opponents Lose CEQA Appeal

Yes—that's right: fervent opponents of Google (et.al) buses tried to use California's environmental law to get them off the streets of San Francisco—which would lead to tech employees driving their own vehicles to Silicon Valley.

April 3, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

A Challenge for Planners to "CEQA-in-Reverse"

Bill Fulton says a legal challenge from the building industry may teach a useful lesson: the California Environmental Quality Act isn't the only tool planners can use to keep projects and their occupants out of harm's way

March 28, 2014 - California Planning & Development Report

Comments Close for CEQA’s Level Of Service Revisions—What Now?

California’s retooling of Level of Service (LOS) analysis is one of the most closely watched regulatory changes in the country. With public comments on the issue closing on Feb. 18, how are planners reacting to the potential changes?

February 18, 2014 - LA.Streetsblog

Alternatives Floated for Replacing Traffic Delay Analysis in California

California's Office of Planning & Research has been tasked with moving environmental analysis away from standards based solely on level of service. The agency has released its preliminary evaluation of alternative methods of transportation analysis.

January 10, 2014 - California Planning & Development Report

Judge Tosses Controversial Hollywood Smart Growth Plan

A judge has sided with three civic groups challenging a new community plan for Hollywood that permitted increased density around transit stations. In a tentative ruling, Judge Allan J. Goodman called the plan "fatally flawed".

December 12, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

At West Coast Climate Pact Signing, Brown Justifies His Support for Fracking

Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown has made climate protection a centerpiece of his policy agenda, yet he has also embraced the controversial technology of fracking to tap his state's huge shale oil reserves by signing SB 4. He explains his position here.

November 2, 2013 - San Jose Mercury - Science

CEQA Reform: The Year in Review

Three groups review the final bill (also known as Kings Arena bill) that reformed California's landmark, but controversial 1970 environmental law known as CEQA: CA Economic Summit, NRDC and Climate Plan. All credit the author, Sen. Darrell Steinberg.

October 5, 2013 - NRDC Switchboard

Streamlined CEQA Reform Passes Under a New Bill

Senator Steinberg's CEQA reform bill, SB 731, which we have been following all year, died - but many of the most important aspects - LOS, aesthetic and parking impacts, have been transferred to SB 743 (Kings Arena bill), though applied more narrowly.

September 17, 2013 - Streetsblog LA

CA Legislators Approve Bill to Ease Review Process for Sacramento Arena

CA Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg’s bill to ease the judicial process for Sacramento’s proposed arena sails through legislature--needs final approval from governor.

September 16, 2013 - Sacramento Bee

Nation's Toughest Fracking Bill To Be Signed By CA Gov. Jerry Brown

SB 4 passed the legislature over strong objections from the oil and business community. California will go from having no well stimulation (includes acidizing) regulation set in statute to the nation's toughest, so why are environmentalists unhappy?

September 13, 2013 - Los Angeles Times - Business

CEQA Legislative Reform Now Far From Certain

George Skelton, capitol journalist for the LA Times, argues for compromise on Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg's SB 731 that weaves a tight line between labor & environmentalists vowing to uphold CEQA and businesses demanding reform.

September 1, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Welcome to California: CEQA Does Not Apply To CEQA

You know this could only happen in California: An appellate court has ruled that the California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to ... the California Environmental Quality Act. At least in this case.

August 20, 2013 - California Planning & Development Report

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