Governor Gavin Newsom signed two bills reforming the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), aimed at easing housing development in response to the housing crisis. The legislation introduces exemptions to CEQA, intended to facilitate urban development by reducing environmental review requirements. While housing advocates support these measures as necessary for equitable housing growth, some environmentalists express concerns about marginalized communities losing their voice in environmental assessments, fearing that future developments may overlook community impacts. Legislators acted swiftly, leaving little time for public input on the changes.
"I think there's a good case that in most circumstances, that [infill] housing is going to be a net benefit for the climate and so speeding up its production is more likely than not to be good for the for the environment as a whole," said Zack Subin, an associate research director for climate and housing at UC Berkeley's Terner Center for Housing Innovation.
"The harm that could result from the recent attacks on CEQA should scare everyone," said Ruby Acevedo, a lawyer for Communities for a Better Environment, which has an Oakland office. "The recent CEQA exemptions strip away a community's only opportunity to participate in the environmental review process before a proposed project is approved. It takes away their ability to voice concerns and potentially mitigate negative impacts."
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