A new California law enables faster construction of apartment buildings by limiting environmental litigation. Developers no longer need to assess potential impacts on traffic, pollution, or historic sites. This change alleviates criticism that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) hinders housing development. Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks emphasized the law's role in eliminating a significant barrier to building environmentally friendly housing. Critics of CEQA have long cited it as a major factor in the state's housing crisis due to the delays and costs associated with lawsuits.
"Saying 'no' to housing in my community will no longer be state sanctioned," said Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, an Oakland Democrat who introduced the CEQA law as a separate bill in March.
"This isn't going to solve all of our housing problems in the state, but it is going to remove the single biggest impediment to building environmentally friendly housing."
CEQA is just a public disclosure requirement, requiring state and local governments to study and publicize the likely environmental impact of any decisions they make.
For years, the building industry and 'Yes in my backyard' activists have identified the law as a key culprit behind California's housing shortage.
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