California Air Resources Board

Summary

Would have expedited permitting and contracting requirements and California Environmental Quality Act procedures to facilitate the replacement of the Leroy Anderson Dam and Reservoir, required CARB to complete a greenhouse gas emission determination on specified project components, established requirements for greenhouse gas emission reduction mitigation measures, and authorized CARB to charge a fee for its work.  The greenhouse gas determination framework would have been similar to the Jobs and Economic Improvement through Environmental Leadership Act of 2011 (AB 900, Buchanan, Chapter 345, Statutes of 2011).

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Governor’s Veto Message:

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 3005 without my signature.

This bill would modify contracting requirements and prescribe expedited California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review and regulatory processes for various state agencies to facilitate projects for the Leroy Anderson Dam and Reservoir.

Notwithstanding the importance of completing projects at the Anderson Dam, the bill sets unrealistic timelines for state entities to expedite deliverables.  This will require staff to be diverted away from other critical projects throughout the state that are going through the CEQA process.  Although the Anderson Dam projects are a key element of dam safety, it is problematic to set a precedent for a special process and timeline for one project that may undermine the quality of review by departments.

Furthermore, a public works project of this magnitude will have significant environmental impacts, and therefore, review through the full CEQA process is necessary.

For these reasons, I am returning Assembly Bill 3005 without my signature.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

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Summary

Would have extended the Jobs and Economic Improvement through Environmental Leadership Act of 2011 (AB 900, Buchanan, Chapter 345, Statutes of 2011) until January 1, 2024.  This bill would also have authorized CARB to charge a fee for the greenhouse gas emission determination for each project, added specified requirements for greenhouse gas emissions mitigation measures, and required a minimum 20 percent reduction in vehicle miles traveled for approved projects.  Hearing canceled in the Assembly Appropriations Committee at author’s request.

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Summary

Authorizes special environmental review procedures similar to the Jobs and Economic Improvement through Environmental Leadership Act of 2011 (AB 900, Buchanan, Chapter 345, Statutes of 2011) for the San Diego Area Council of Governments for a suite of transit projects on an underused U.S. Navy site in San Diego.  The procedures include authorizing California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) streamlining in exchange for complying with several environmental requirements and a CARB greenhouse gas emission determination with specified local mitigation measures.

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Summary

Would have expanded existing school site acquisition and environmental certification requirements under the California Education Code for public and State-funded schools to include private and charter schools.  The requirements would have included evaluation of the schoolsite for hazardous substances, waste, and air emissions, among other provisions.  The bill would have also extended the requirements for the purchase of a schoolsite or the construction of a school under the California Environmental Quality Act to include charter schools.  Was not heard in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. 

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