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Last week voters rejected a measure that would have weakened California’s landmark environmental law by fast-tracking reviews for some projects.
With about 76% of votes counted, voters rejected Prop. 45 by 55.7% to 44.3%.
The vote maintains the status quo under the state’s Environmental Quality Act, which since 1970 has required public agencies to review project developments that could have harmful environmental impacts, and mitigate those harms.
“Californians have sent a clear message to corporate developers, utilities and data center builders that they will not stand for a broad assault at the ballot box on state law protecting our air, water and natural resources,” No on 45’s Woody Little said. “We were outspent but not outgunned.”
Supporters had said the changes would reduce building costs. The California Chamber of Commerce sponsored Proposition 45, the Building an Affordable California Act, which would limit the length of environmental reviews for projects deemed “essential” to 365 business days and require courts to resolve litigation in 270 calendar days. Those projects include housing, water, broadband and transit developments.
Proponents said the savings from building more quickly would pass to consumers and spent $41 million campaigning for the measure. The Building…
