CEQA

CEQA: Sixth District Court of Appeal Rejects Appeal on MND

The Sixth District Court of Appeal filed a decision heavy on writ procedure in the case Alliance of Concerned Citizens Organized for Responsible Development on November 26, 2018 (Case No. H044410). The heavy focus on procedure in the Court’s decision doesn’t make for the most exciting reading, but the decision contains an important reminder for […]

California Going it Alone: Keeping GHG Emissions Standards High

On Friday, September 28, 2018 the California Air Resources Board (“ARB”) stated that automakers that wish to sell vehicles in California still need to comply with the state’s stricter fuel economy rules. The ARB voted to affirm the “deemed to comply” provision of a key greenhouse gas regulation adopted in California in 2012 to ensure […]

Brown Proposes Changes to Timber Harvesting Rules

The Governor’s office proposed broad changes to logging rules in California to allow landowners to cut larger trees and build temporary roads without obtaining a permit. This proposal is a way to encourage the thinning of forests to alleviate wild fire threats. The timber industry is supportive of the changes, while most environmental groups are […]

Electric Vehicles Fueled by State Funds

On May 30, 2018, the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) approved wide-ranging proposals from the State’s large investor-owned utilities to expand electric vehicle infrastructure and rebate programs with a total budget of over $738 million. The order stems from the 2016 directive ordering investment owned utilities to propose projects that would advance the electrification of […]

Second District Court of Appeal Upholds Application of Existing Facilities Exemption for Power Plant Lease Extension

The case World Business Academy v. California State Lands Commission (2018, Case No. B284300) involves PG&E’s Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in San Luis Obispo County, and a dispute regarding the State Lands Commission’s decision to approve a lease extension via a CEQA categorical exemption. The Diablo Canyon nuclear plant as been operating since 1985 […]

L.A. County Land-Use Plan Overcomes Enviro Objections

On June 19, a California appellate court upheld LA County’s approval of a new 1,800 acre land-use plan, rejecting the argument that additional environmental assessment was warranted. The County approved the new plan as a “modification” to the existing 2015 Antelope Valley Area Plan, and stated that the changes weren’t significant enough to require an […]

First District Court of Appeal Upholds Trial Court Decision that no EIR was Required for Hospital Conversion

This case involved the City of Santa Rosa’s approval of a CUP to convert a shuttered hospital center to a homeless youth and transitional housing center with about 50 to 60 beds. The center was sponsored and funded by a non-profit organization, which would also provide counseling and health services and recreational activities at the […]

Opponents Challenge City of LA’s Attempts to Streamline CEQA Review for Housing Projects

City of Los Angeles voters approved measure HHH in 2016 to facilitate the construction of 10,000 units of permanent supporting housing to address the City’s homeless crises. The City Council followed-up in April 2018 by passing an ordinance which eliminates CEQA review for housing projects up to 120 units and that meet zoning requirements. The […]

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