It’s a double header at the California Energy Commission (CEC) today. The Renewable Energy Action Team – comprised of the CEC, the California Department of Fish and Game, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) – is holding two public scoping meetings for the combined environment impact statement/environmental
Ban on Plastic Bags Provides Definitive Rule on CEQA Standing
The California Supreme Court’s ruling on Save the Plastic Bag Coalition v. City of Manhattan Beach decided two important issues regarding the interpretation and application of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). First, the Court decided the city of Manhattan Beach was not required to prepare an environmental impact report (EIR) under CEQA before enacting
Redevelopment Agency Legislation Signed by Governor Brown
After a late evening of floor sessions on June 28, 2011, both the Senate and the Assembly, with a majority vote, passed the “Democratic Budget”. Governor Brown signed some of the $85.9 billion budget which includes bills ABX1 26 and ABX1 27. ABX1 26 and ABX1 27, both by Assembly member Bob Blumenfield (D-San Fernando Valley), eliminate
Compliance with California Cap-and-Trade May Be Deferred Until 2013
California greenhouse gas emitters may be granted a reprieve. The Executive Director of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Mary Nichols, testified before the California Senate Select Committee on the Environment, the Economy, and Climate Change yesterday that CARB is proposing to delay requirements for compliance with the state cap-and-trade program for a year. Nichols
California’s Plan to Restore Delta Will Impact Delta Landowners
Is it too soon to know if Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta landowners will align? Check out today’s Sacramento Business Journal for Melanie Turner’s most recent article regarding California’s plan to restore the Delta, including comments from my partner, Kristen Castaños:
. . . it’s too soon to know whether Delta landowners will be aligned. One person’s
CARB Issues Supplement to A.B. 32 Scoping Plan Environmental Review
Yesterday, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released a Supplement to its Functional Equivalent Document (FED) for the A.B. 32 Climate Change Scoping Plan – the environmental review document for the Scoping Plan. The Supplement was prepared as a result of a ruling against CARB in Association of Irritated Residents, et al. v. California Air
Legislature Scrutinizes High Speed Rail Project Management
The California High Speed Rail Project (“Project”) has recently been subject to operational scrutiny. The Legislative Analyst Office (“LAO”) released a report (link) early last month that highlights several issues with the project, including the lack of overall funding and the inadequate expertise of board members. After the report was issued, the state’s
California High Speed Rail Secures Another Infusion of Federal Funding
The California High Speed Rail Authority (“Authority”) announced yesterday that it has received $300 million in additional funding from the federal government. The money has been reallocated from the $2 billion that was set aside for the Florida high speed rail project, which was rejected by their governor earlier this year. In addition to the
Bay Area Segment of High Speed Rail may get Side-Tracked
Today, Mike Mills and I attended the California High Speed Rail Authority’s (“Authority”) monthly board meeting at which the Authority’s board voted on several agenda items related to final route alternatives for the High Speed Rail Project.
The Operations Committee presented a proposal to study the Grapevine as a concept in place of the Palmdale
EBMUD’s CEQA Review of Water Supply Plan Found Partially Inadequate
Sacramento Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley’s recent ruling (PDF) in the case challenging East Bay Municipal Utility District’s (EBMUD) approval of its updated water supply plan is a reminder of the importance of fully disclosing potential impacts of a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), even when the CEQA project is a programmatic