California governor makes controversial decision to overhaul decades-old landmark rule: 'This was too urgent, too important'

California has changed its environmental rules to tackle housing shortages and homelessness. Gov. Gavin Newsom said, "This was too urgent, too important, to allow the process to unfold as it has for the last generation," reported The Guardian.

What's going on here?

The California Environmental Quality Act has been around since the 1970s. Think of it like the Transportation Security Administration for construction; it checks every detail before letting a project take off. Developers had to see how new builds might affect air, water, and wildlife. Lawmakers just passed two bills so most homes and apartments built in cities won't require these reviews anymore.

Newsom told lawmakers he wouldn't sign the budget without these changes, which the Guardian summarized as resolving what advocates considered to be "bureaucratic roadblocks" from rules that were "well-intentioned at the time." 

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks called the update "a long-overdue step to stop CEQA from being weaponized against housing." State Sen. Scott Wiener said, "It isn't easy to make changes this big, but Californians are demanding an affordable future, and it's our job to deliver for them no matter what."

Why are people worried?

Housing advocates say the changes will cut costs and delays. However, some environmental groups think they could hurt communities already facing pollution. Laura Deehan from Environment California said, "We're in a nature crisis, we're seeing unprecedented loss of wildlife, and that's to be made worse with this bill."

The Western Center on Law & Poverty said these bills "undermine the public-participation process and the right to protect their community from environmental and health risks." Some fear exemptions for high-tech manufacturing sites could lead to toxic runoff and dirtier air in places already struggling.

Earlier this year, Newsom waived CEQA rules for wildfire victims in southern California. Housing advocates called this change "the biggest housing legislation in a generation." A spokesperson for California Yimby said CEQA "has been used to stop affordable housing projects for years."

Why does this matter?

Housing costs in California have been painful to even think about for many in the state. Supporters argue that building homes closer to jobs and schools means shorter commutes, cleaner air, and less time spent searching for parking in a city that often treats it like a buried treasure.

What's being done to help?

In Utah, foldable tiny homes are being explored to shelter people without housing. In West Virginia, lawmakers approved a bill to force oil and gas companies to fill old wells and do so more quickly, using cement. In another move, federal officials protected sage grouse habitats, possibly sparing them from becoming strip mine mascots.

Some cities in California are fast-tracking infill permits so families can stay near shops and public transport. Residents concerned about these changes can speak at city council meetings and public hearings to help maintain strong protections.

Should the government be allowed to restrict how much water we use? Definitely 💯 Only during major droughts 🏜️ No way 🙅 I'm not sure 🤷 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

These new rules might help put roofs over more heads. However, the tug-of-war between affordable housing and environmental risks isn't packing up anytime soon.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.