(April 8, 2010) A California Chamber of Commerce-supported “job creator” bill that has the dual benefit of facilitating job creation while ensuring environmental integrity will be considered by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on April 12.
AB 1846 (M. Perez; D-Coachella) streamlines the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) approval process for certain projects by allowing industries subject to compliance with greenhouse gas regulations under AB 32 to go through an expedited environmental review through a focused environmental impact report (EIR).
California is aggressively working to meet its ambitious environmental goals set forth by AB 32, The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. As regulations are currently being adopted to reduce California’s greenhouse gas emission levels, companies subject to compliance with these regulations must make significant modifications to existing facilities in order to reduce emissions in compliance with the law.
Since by law greenhouse gas regulations must be adopted by January 1, 2011, companies have a short time frame in which to be AB 32 compliant ready. In order to make infrastructure changes, these companies must go through the necessary CEQA permitting process before construction of significant project modification/upgrades can begin. Since the CEQA process can be arduous, often marked by delays and great expense to business, it is important that the state look for ways to help streamline this process in order to help industries meet their AB 32 goals in a timely manner.
AB 1846 provides such a path by requiring an expedited environmental review of greenhouse gas compliance projects through a focused EIR. Specifically, this bill will clarify and streamline the CEQA process for projects required to comply with emission reduction regulations under AB 32. This process will eliminate unnecessary layers of environmental review for specific projects without compromising necessary environmental review.
AB 1846 is an important measure in light of the state’s current economy. With unemployment at 12.5 percent, returning the state to economic health and vitality should be California’s highest priority. This measure will create jobs, stimulating the California economy when jobs are vital and essential to the state’s economic recovery. Furthermore, CalChamber believes this bill provides a “win-win” situation by facilitating California businesses’ ability to comply with greenhouse gas emission reductions under AB 32 while also providing the benefits of jobs in the state.
Action Needed
AB 1846 will be heard in Assembly Natural Resources on April 12.
The CalChamber urges members to ask legislators on the committee to support AB 1846.
Staff Contact: Brenda M. Coleman