California Environmental Quality Act

After attending a workshop on discussing the California Environmental Quality Act or CEQA as so many people have come to call it, I have been compelled to write about it.  Since its first adoption in 1970 by then Governor Ronald Reagan (a bipartisan effort) this statue has been California's most powerful piece of environmental legislation.  Because of it, countless communities have been able to challenge developers and corporations from increasing pollution and toxic waster in their neighborhoods.  


Most recently, I have heard of the Chevron oil refinery located in Richmond, CA (near the Bay Area).  Community organizations and residents continue to challenge big corporations in an age where it is increasingly expensive to do so.  


Currently, the Governor of California is proposing exempting 125 projects over a 5 year period from having to comply to CEQA.  Read the articles and make up your own mind.  But it doesn't look good.  


The California League of Conservation Voters has an action page up for you to contact your legislators to tell them how you feel about this, but its going to be a hard battle to protect this statute and ensure that the quality of life of Californians will be protected.  I'm going to do that right now.