California lawmakers have approved one of the most substantial rollbacks in decades of CEQA, the state’s signature environmental review law. When AB/SB 131 was passed on June 30th as part of the Governor’s budget, legislators made a commitment to consider a “clean up” amendment to address two egregious features of the bill, including: - The bill broadly exempts a vague class of “advanced manufacturing” facilities from environmental review, which will expose surrounding communities to dangerous pollution.
-
The bill’s exclusion for “natural and protected lands” is too narrow; it does not include habitat for endangered species.
The environmental and environmental justice communities are focusing on securing two key changes to this bill before the end of the legislative session in September:
Removing the broad CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing. Expanding the definition of “natural and protected lands” to include habitat for imperiled species and lands important to conservation plans.
We’re asking for you to reach out to your legislators about the fixes that are urgently needed to AB/SB 131 (CEQA reform bill).
Because we are urging legislators to commit to the fixes before the legislative recess ends on August 18, we must make our voices louder right now, in this short window of time. |
.jpg)
