California rolls back environmental law to expedite housing

California has enacted a law that significantly rolls back environmental regulations, exempting many construction projects from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the law aims to expedite housing development in urban areas facing acute shortages. It targets urban "infill" housing projects less than 20 acres and certain infrastructure projects, which will no longer need to undergo CEQA review. Ben Metcalf from UC Berkeley's Terner Center noted this change represents the most significant rollback of CEQA for housing since the law's inception in 1970.

Critics argue that this move jeopardizes essential environmental protections, potentially allowing hazardous projects to proceed without proper scrutiny. A coalition of over 100 organizations expressed concerns about the implications for biodiversity and vulnerable communities. The legislation also includes provisions specific to San Francisco, which has struggled to meet housing permit goals, leading to its own exemption from CEQA review. This law reflects a broader trend of reforming environmental regulations in response to California's ongoing housing crisis.