Focus
Biden restores stricter environmental review of big projects under NEPA
Associated Press - April 19
The Biden administration is restoring federal regulations that require rigorous environmental review of major infrastructure projects such as highways, pipelines, and oil wells — including likely impacts on climate change and nearby communities. The rule finalized on Tuesday will restore key provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, a bedrock environmental law designed to ensure community safeguards during reviews for a wide range of federal proposals, including roads, bridges, and energy projects authorized in the $1 trillion infrastructure law that President Joe Biden signed last fall, the White House said. A rule change imposed in 2020 under the Trump administration restricted the timelines for environmental reviews and public comment and allowed federal officials to disregard a project’s role in cumulative effects, such as climate change.
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News
California cities and counties can sue oil companies in state court, federal appeals court rules
San Francisco Chronicle – April 19
Local governments in California can proceed in state court with lawsuits against major oil companies for allegedly contributing to climate change by selling fossil fuel products and allegedly deceiving the public about their harmful effects, the Ninth Circuit ruled Tuesday. The lawsuits, filed in 2017, seek substantial damages from more than 30 companies for the alleged impacts, which the cities and counties say are forcing them to spend more on sea walls and other protections. The plaintiffs are San Mateo, Marin, and Santa Cruz counties and the cities of Richmond, Santa Cruz, and Imperial Beach (San Diego County).
Fontana settles with state over alleged violation of environmental law
Los Angeles Times – April 19
Nine months after the state of California sued the city of Fontana for allegedly ignoring the California Environmental Quality Act, a state-mandated environmental review process, when it approved the construction of a trucking warehouse next to a high school, city officials have enacted new regulations intended to address air pollution from logistic centers as a part of a legal settlement. The city’s new regulations include provisions requiring establishment of a buffer zone at least 10 feet wide around all warehouse projects greater than 50,000 square feet, exclusive use of solar energy to power warehouse developments larger than 400,000 square feet (except for refrigeration functions), and use of only zero-emission on-site equipment.
LA County bans single-use plastics in food service
Spectrum News – April 19
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an ordinance requiring that all single-use food service containers, cups, dishes, and cutlery distributed by restaurants and food facilities in unincorporated areas of the county be recyclable or compostable. The ordinance, which will be phased in starting in May 2023, will also prohibit retail stores from selling “expanded polystyrene,” or Styrofoam, products such as coolers, packing materials, cups, plates, and pool toys, unless they are encased in a “durable material.”
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