FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2023
Contact: Michael Blenner, michael.blenner@sierraclub.org
Sierra Club California Responds to Governor Newsom’s Infrastructure Proposal
Sacramento, CA - Today, Governor Newsom announced a proposal to reform the CEQA and permitting processes for construction projects across California. The proposal, which includes an executive order and a legislative package of 11 budget trailer bills, is aimed at reducing barriers so that the state can continue to develop clean energy infrastructure, transportation, and water resilience projects.
The Executive Order establishes an “Infrastructure Strike Team” to identify funding opportunities, support government coordination, and streamline CEQA, permitting, construction, and judicial review for environmental infrastructure projects. The full package of budget trailer bills has not yet been released. Several environmentally friendly projects could benefit from the proposal, including solar, wind, battery storage, clean transportation, and wildlife crossings.
However, the Governor’s announcement specifically highlights two environmentally harmful projects that Sierra Club California and its allies have consistently opposed: the Delta Conveyance Project (Delta Tunnel) and Sites Reservoir. Rather than focusing on local programs that could provide new, sustainable sources of clean water and improve local resilience, Newsom is choosing to advocate for streamlining review of projects that could negatively impact local communities and ecosystems.
Statement from Brandon Dawson, Sierra Club California Director:
“There’s no doubt that California needs more clean energy, clean transportation, and water resiliency projects to protect communities from the impacts of the climate crisis. However, that infrastructure can’t be built without the input of the communities it will exist in. Two of the projects the Governor highlights in this proposal, Sites Reservoir and the Delta Tunnel will have significant environmental consequences for their surrounding communities. They are bad for the environment, costly, and will not solve California’s long term water management issues. They should not be part of this package.
We acknowledge the Governor’s desire to promote clean infrastructure, but this proposal needs a lot of work. Newsom must invite the environmental community to the table, and better incorporate community engagement into major legislative proposals such as this. His attempt to rush legislative language through the opaque trailer bill process in under a month is worrying at best.
Sierra Club California will be working with the Governor and legislative leaders to thoughtfully consider how this proposal impacts both California’s environment and communities across the state.”
Sierra Club California is the legislative and regulatory arm of Sierra Club’s 13 local chapters in California, representing half a million members and supporters.