KQED's Forum What New CEQA Reforms Aimed at Streamlining Housing Production Mean for the Environment
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Aug 18, 2025 Ethan Elkind, Director of the Climate Program at UC Berkeley, and Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, dive deep into California's ongoing struggle between housing development and environmental protection. They explore the recent CEQA reforms aimed at streamlining housing production. The conversation highlights the tension between legislative measures and ecological concerns, emphasizing the need for modernized regulations to address both climate change and housing demands effectively.
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CEQA's Broad Role In Project Review
- CEQA requires public agencies to assess and disclose environmental impacts before approving projects and to mitigate significant effects when feasible.
- Over time courts and laws expanded CEQA to cover private projects needing government approval, making it broadly applicable in California.
Public Enforcement Creates Project Uncertainty
- CEQA allows anyone to sue over perceived legal deficiencies in environmental documents, creating uncertainty for developers.
- Most projects are exempt or don't require full EIRs, but high-profile projects face costly litigation and delays.
Know New CEQA Exemptions And Conditions
- Recent legislation created large new CEQA exemptions, notably for infill housing up to 20 acres and 85 feet tall, with 30-day agency decisions for approval.
- Projects over 85 feet can still qualify if they meet wage requirements agreed with labor unions.
