Gov. Brown Expected to Sign Laws that Will Have CEQA Implications

In the final days of its session, the California Legislature passed two climate change bills that expand existing laws aimed at reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions. Senate Bill 32 (Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills) expands California’s GHG emissions reduction program and Assembly Bill 197 (Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella) increases legislative oversight of the California Air Resources Board.

SB 32 builds upon AB 32, California’s 2006 landmark climate change law, and codifies an additional target first identified by Gov. Jerry Brown in a 2015 executive order. SB 32 adds section 38566 to the Health and Safety Code, requiring that CARB ensure that statewide GHG emissions are reduced to at least 40 percent below 1990 levels no later than Dec. 31, 2030. This 2030 target will serve as a concrete, legislatively approved goal for public agencies to consider when developing California Environmental Quality Act thresholds for GHG analysis. Additionally, the 2030 target will assist public agencies in their preparation of up-to-date climate action plans - plans that can streamline GHG analysis in CEQA documents.

AB 197 establishes a Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies, comprised of members from both the Assembly and Senate. The new committee will study climate change policies, make recommendations to the Legislature and most significantly, provide greater oversight of CARB. Specifically, AB 197 also adds two members of the Legislature as ex-officio, non-voting members to CARB and establishes six-year terms for all voting CARB members.

The two bills are “double-joined” and become operative only if both are enacted and become effective on or before Jan. 1, 2017. Brown indicated he will sign both bills, stating, “With these bills, California’s charting a clear path on climate beyond 2020.” Brown has until Sept. 30 to sign SB 32 and AB 197 into law.

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