How Will the New CEQA Exemption for Advanced Manufacturing Play Out?

West Coast Land Use and Environment attorney Bradley Brownlow was quoted in a CEB article examining newly enacted California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reforms that exempt advanced manufacturing projects from CEQA review. Senate Bill (SB) 131 creates the exemption, which allows projects that meet certain criteria – being located on land zoned exclusively for industrial use, being classified as advanced manufacturing under California's public resources code, etc. – to bypass the review process. Environmental justice and community advocates have raised concerns about less oversight, but Mr. Brownlow and other land use professionals noted project developers will still have to comply with state air and climate regulations, along with other permitting and environmental requirements. Looking ahead, he explained that SB 131 removes a major hurdle for the development of in-state advanced manufacturing, but regulatory compliance considerations and high land costs will remain factors influencing the future of the industry in California.

"I think relieving those projects of the burden of the CEQA process is quite significant. Do I think that's enough to incentivize development? I'm not sure," he said. "I'm sure it will play into decisions that are made. It's not going to be the only consideration, but I think it's an important consideration."

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