environmental review
Whither Permitting Reform for NEPA?
Engaging with the key questions for NEPA in any permitting reform bill
This interview by Heatmap News with a leading actor (Daniel Palken at the Arnold Foundation) in the permitting reform debates is informative and productive – both on the status of those talks right now, and on their history and why they are important. Here I just want to focus on one aspect of the interview …
Continue reading “Whither Permitting Reform for NEPA?”
CONTINUE READINGReforming CEQA Part 6
Providing for quicker, more expert dispute resolution
This is the sixth in a series of blog posts on reforming the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The first post, discussing different paradigms for CEQA, is here. The second post, discussing the conceptual framework for reform, is here. The third post, discussing designating a state agency to set binding, clear standards for CEQA implementation, …
Continue reading “Reforming CEQA Part 6”
CONTINUE READINGReforming CEQA Part 5
Creating greater clarity for thresholds of signficance, and default methodologies and mitigation measures
This is the fifth in a series of blog posts on reforming the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The first post, discussing different paradigms for CEQA, is here. The second post, discussing the conceptual framework for reform, is here. The third post, discussing designating a state agency to set binding, clear standards for CEQA implementation, …
Continue reading “Reforming CEQA Part 5”
CONTINUE READINGReforming CEQA Part 4
Providing greater clarity on the types of impacts covered by CEQA
This is the fourth in a series of blog posts on reforming the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The first post, discussing different paradigms for CEQA, is here. The second post, discussing the conceptual framework for reform, is here. The third post, discussing designating a state agency to set binding, clear standards for CEQA implementation, …
Continue reading “Reforming CEQA Part 4”
CONTINUE READINGReforming CEQA Part 3
Adding more binding clear standards for CEQA plus focusing alternatives analysis
This is the third in a series of blog posts on reforming the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The first post, discussing different paradigms for CEQA, is here. The second post, discussing the conceptual framework for reform, is here. In this post, I will discuss two ways to reform CEQA: designating a state agency to …
Continue reading “Reforming CEQA Part 3”
CONTINUE READINGReforming CEQA, part 2
Concepts for reforming CEQA as a backstop environmental law
This is the second in a series of six blog posts on reforming the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The first post, discussing different paradigms for CEQA, is here. What reforms might be needed in orienting CEQA around a paradigm as a backstop environmental law? The criticism of environmental review that I believe has the …
Continue reading “Reforming CEQA, part 2”
CONTINUE READINGReforming CEQA Part 1
Thinking about CEQA as a backstop statute
The qualification for the November ballot of the California Chamber of Commerce ballot initiative rewriting CEQA does create an opportunity, if the legislature is so inclined, to strike a deal with the proponents and do an overhaul of CEQA. As I noted in the last of my series of blog posts on the initiative, there …
Continue reading “Reforming CEQA Part 1”
CONTINUE READINGWhat does BACA do? Part VII
Proposed CEQA ballot initiative would cover a wide range of projects, not just housing and clean energy.
This is the seventh in a series of blog posts on the California Chamber of Commerce’s proposed ballot initiative amending the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The first blog post is here. The second blog post is here. The third blog post is here. The fourth blog post is here. The fifth blog post is …
Continue reading “What does BACA do? Part VII”
CONTINUE READINGWhat does BACA do? Part VI
Proposed CEQA ballot initiative would allow project proponents to control the scope and alternatives for environmental review for covered projects.
This is the sixth in a series of blog posts on the California Chamber of Commerce’s proposed ballot initiative amending the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The first blog post is here. The second blog post is here. The third blog post is here. The fourth blog post is here. The fifth blog post is …
Continue reading “What does BACA do? Part VI”
CONTINUE READINGWhat does BACA do? Part V
Proposed ballot initiative to amend CEQA would sharply limit what environmental effects should be considered for mitigation for covered projects.
This is the fifth in a series of blog posts on the California Chamber of Commerce’s proposed ballot initiative amending the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The first blog post is here. The second blog post is here. The third blog post is here. The fourth blog post is here. The core of CEQA is …
Continue reading “What does BACA do? Part V”
CONTINUE READING


