Why Infrastructure Projects Need CEQA Reform

Fish: “An additional exemption for certain types of infrastructure projects would offer the most politically expedient approach to reform … However, an exemption strategy also has the most limited benefits.”

SAN DIEGO—The growing backlog of infrastructure projects ranging from potholes to major water-infrastructure improvements has led to increased calls for CEQA reform, Dentons San Diego partner Brian Fish tells GlobeSt.com. Especially for improvements in already-developed areas, where many state policies are attempting to focus new growth, there are increasing calls to amend CEQA to increase certainty without completely eliminating environmental protections. If the legislature and governor are able to thread that needle, it could go a long way toward addressing California’s serious backlog of deferred infrastructure improvements.

We spoke with Fish about what has led up to the calls for reform, which aspects could most easily be amended and how these amendments could help with the backlog.