May 02, 2025

Advocacy   |   CEQA/NEPA CEQA Wildfire Bills Advance Through Assembly Committee

On April 28, the Assembly Natural Resources Committee heard and passed two bills that provide California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) relief for wildfire prevention projects

Mar 28, 2025

Advocacy   |   CEQA/NEPA Bill of the Week: Senate Bill 607 (Wiener) – California Environmental Quality Act

RCRC is co-sponsoring Senate Bill 607 (Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco) with Prosperity California, Housing Action Coalition, and the Bay Area Council. The bill includes several targeted reforms to refocus the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) on real environmental issues while preserving

Mar 07, 2025

Advocacy   |   CEQA/NEPA Assembly Select Committee on Permitting Reform Releases Final Report

On March 4, the Assembly Select Committee on Permitting Reform released its final report containing recommendations to reduce red tape and expedite housing, energy, water, and transportation projects. RCRC submitted extensive recommendations in December 2024   

Mar 07, 2025

Advocacy   |   CEQA/NEPA Governor Waives CEQA and Coastal Act for Authorized Fuel Management Projects While Legislators Introduce Multiple Bills Aimed at Long-Lasting Regulatory Relief

On March 1, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a wildfire-related state of emergency to reduce regulatory barriers for wildfire risk reduction and community protection projects

Jan 10, 2025

Advocacy   |   CEQA/NEPA RCRC Shares Perspective on Opportunities for State Permit Reform

On December 23, RCRC submitted extensive comments to the Assembly Select Committee on Permitting Reform, including several suggestions to improve the California Environmental Quality Act.  In the letter, RCRC noted that local governments act as...

Dec 10, 2024

Advocacy   |   CEQA/NEPA About CEQA

Background The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) seeks to improve state and local decision making by establishing detailed analytical and public review procedures for projects that may have a significant impact on the environment.  Modeled...

Nov 22, 2024

Advocacy   |   CEQA/NEPA Court Grants RCRC Request to Publish CEQA Case Concerning In-Fill Development in Rural Cities

On November 18th, California’s Sixth Appellate District Court of Appeal granted a request by RCRC and the California State Association of Counties to publish its decision in Working Families of Monterey County v. King City Planning Commission (Case No. H051232). In...

Oct 04, 2024

Advocacy   |   CEQA/NEPA Governor Signs Controversial Warehouse Bill with Far-Reaching Implications for Rural Communities

On September 29, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 98 (Carrillo and Reyes), which imposes siting and construction requirements on a wide variety of warehouse and storage buildings. Assembly Bill 98 is intended to address the community,...