Podcasts about ceqa

Watsonville votes to expand a contract with Flock Safety for automated license plate readers. And, a state bill moves to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk that would make CEQA exemptions for certain transit projects permanent.

• Guest Name: Julia Cartwright • Affiliation: Senior Research Fellow in Law and Economics at the American Institute for Economic Research • Summary: The conversation examines the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a major impediment to housing development, particularly for rebuilding after wildfires. Julia Cartwright details how CEQA, along with restrictive building and zoning codes, creates costly delays, making California the most expensive state for construction. This bureaucracy disproportionately impacts affordable housing and is exacerbated by entities like the California Coastal Commission. 1940

CONTINUED. • Guest Name: Julia Cartwright • Affiliation: Senior Research Fellow in Law and Economics at the American Institute for Economic Research • Summary: The conversation examines the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a major impediment to housing development, particularly for rebuilding after wildfires. Julia Cartwright details how CEQA, along with restrictive building and zoning codes, creates costly delays, making California the most expensive state for construction. This bureaucracy disproportionately impacts affordable housing and is exacerbated by entities like the California Coastal Commission. 1885 CA

SHOW SCHEDULE  9-4 The show begins in the EU, fretting Kyiv, Paris, London, Berlin. 1578 ALEX-TRAIMAN-JNS-9-4.mp3 Guest Name: Alex TRAIman MALCOLM HOENLEIN @CONF_OF_PRES @MHOENLEIN1 Affiliation: CEO and Jerusalem Bureau Chief for Jewish News Service (JNS) Summary: The discussion focuses on the Israel-Hamas conflict, emphasizing the Israeli government's preference for all hostage releases and Hamas's surrender for an end to the war. It details the IDF's military campaign in Gaza City, the challenges of urban warfare, and the ongoing threat from Iranian-backed proxies like Hamas and the Houthis. The long-term outlook suggests a complex, "unclean" end to the conflict, with continued terror attacks likely. ANATOL-LIEVEN-KYIV-9-4.mp3 Guest Name: Anatol LIeven Affiliation: Eurasia Project Director of the Quinsey Institute for Responsible Statecraft Summary: The conversation critically examines a proposal for a Eurocentric security force in Ukraine, highlighting its practical unfeasibility given European military limitations and domestic fiscal challenges, particularly in France. It suggests the proposal might be political grandstanding or a strategy to "trap" the US. Ukraine's strategy aims to wear Russia down to concede on demands, recognizing they cannot achieve a full military victory. ANNA-BORSCHEVSKAYA-9-4.mp3 Guest Name: Anna Borschevskaya MALCOLM HOENLEIN @CONF_OF_PRES @MHOENLEIN1 Affiliation: The Washington Institute Summary: This segment discusses Vladimir Putin's vision for a multipolar world with diminished US influence, emphasizing a strategic triangle of Russia, China, and India. It highlights Russia's increasing cooperation with Iran and Belarus, despite conventional wisdom. Putin is seen as willing to accept Russia's junior position to China, viewing it as a necessary alliance against a perceived Western attack on Russia. CHRIS-RIEGEL-HBM-9-4.mp3 Guest Name: Chris RIEGEL Affiliation: CEO of #SCALAREPORT: CHRIS RIEGEL CEO, SCALA.COM @STRATACACHE.  Summary: The discussion centers on High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) as a critical innovation driving the AI revolution. SK Hynix has surpassed competitors by vertically stacking memory chips, overcoming the "memory wall" to allow faster data access for AI processors. This technology is crucial for AI development, with the US leading innovation. Strict US and EU export controls aim to prevent China from acquiring advanced chip-making tools. CLIFF-MAY-ENERGY-9-4.mp3 Guest Name: Cliff May Affiliation: Founder and President of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Summary: The conversation challenges current energy policies, noting that fossil fuels still provide over 81% of global energy despite decades of renewables promotion. Cliff May argues that climate policy often weakens the US while adversaries like China and Russia continue to rely on coal and hydrocarbons without climate concerns. He emphasizes energy security as intrinsic to national security, criticizing government subsidies as ineffective and prone to cronyism. COL-GRANT-NEWWSHAM-ROK-DPRK-9-4.mp3 Guest Name: Grant NEWSHam Affiliation: Colonel, United States Marine Corps retired, and author of "When China Attacks" Summary: The discussion traces the cynical division of Korea at the 38th parallel and the resulting prosperity of South Korea versus the starvation in North Korea. It highlights the current South Korean administration's pro-North Korea stance and its alignment with China and Russia. Kim Jong-un's presence at a Beijing military parade signifies a strengthening, serious alliance among these adversarial nations, aiming to intimidate the West. DALLAS-BIENHOFF-DSVID-LIVINGSTON-MARS-9-4.mp3 Guest Name: Dallas BIEnhof and David Livingston Affiliation:  Space Systems Architect for Offworld.ai; David Livingston: Dr. Space of The Space Show Summary: The discussion defines cis-lunar space as the volume around the Moon, highlighting planned missions and the Artemis program as a key driver. It explores the utility of Lagrange points for stable orbital stations and the need for extensive infrastructure, including transportation nodes and propellant depots, to support a permanent human presence on the Moon and Mars. Future plans also include resource utilization and space tourism. JULIA-CARTWRIGHT-HOUSING-9-4.mp3 Guest Name: Julia Cartwright Affiliation: Senior Research Fellow in Law and Economics at the American Institute for Economic Research Summary: The conversation examines the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a major impediment to housing development, particularly for rebuilding after wildfires. Julia Cartwright details how CEQA, along with restrictive building and zoning codes, creates costly delays, making California the most expensive state for construction. This bureaucracy disproportionately impacts affordable housing and is exacerbated by entities like the California Coastal Commission. MICHAEL-BERNSTAM-9-4.mp3 Guest Name: Michael Bernstam Affiliation: Hoover Institution Summary: The segment discusses Russia's energy deals with China, including the Power of Siberia pipelines, noting financing and pricing disputes. Michael Bernstam highlights Russia's struggle with declining oil prices, leading to budget deficits and losses for major oil companies. China and India are benefiting from discounted Russian crude, processing it for sale to Europe, bypassing sanctions. Secondary sanctions on China could disrupt this trade. MOHSEN-SAZEGARA-IRAN-9-4.mp3 Guest Name: Mohsen Sazagara Affiliation: Democracy activist from Iran Summary: Mohsen Sazagara confirms Iran's rearmament efforts, fueled by its leadership's belief in success against Israel and continued anti-US policies. Iran is seeking arms from Russia (via Belarus) and China (via North Korea), though Russia is reportedly less generous than expected. The speaker notes growing internal opposition within Iran and a high probability of another military conflict with Israel, especially concerning nuclear development or air defense rebuilding. SADANAND-DHUME-MODI-9-4.mp3 Guest Name: Sadanand Dhume Affiliation: American Enterprise Institute, writes "East to East" column for the Wall Street Journal Summary: The discussion analyzes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, amidst declining US-India relations due to tariffs. India's large farm lobby, especially dairy, heavily influences trade policy. Despite diplomatic gestures, India maintains vigilance against Chinese aggression due to deep-rooted border disputes and China's close ties with Pakistan, indicating India won't align closely with China. VERONIQUE-DERUGY-9-4.mp3 Guest Name: Veronique de Rugy Affiliation: Mercatus Center Summary: Veronique de Rugy strongly critiques the proposal for a US sovereign wealth fund, arguing it's a poor idea given the US's high debt-to-GDP ratio and existing budget deficits. She contends that borrowing to invest would be fiscally unsound and would lead to "cronyism on steroids," as government investment decisions are driven by political priorities rather than viable market opportunities, unlike private sector investments.

We're joined by Assembly Minority Leader-Elect Heath Flora, who will take over as head of the lower house's Republican caucus later this month, succeeding Asm. James Gallagher. The collegial, no-drama GOP leadership transition stood in stark contrast to the last two Dem leadership fights - owing at least in part to Flora's reputation as one of the most well-liked members of the legislature. A straight-talking member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, Flora had compliments for colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and voiced his frustrations overly partisan policymaking. 1:40 Talking Top 1002:34 Health Care Conference, October 13:28 Special Edition4:20 Asm. Heath Flora5:18 The transition7:10 Agenda/priorities8:56 Bringing firefighting experiences to wildfire policy13:39 "You can manage fire"14:41 looking at the best-available approach17:07 CEQA and #AB10320:46 The lawmaker that people want to hang out with27:59 Redistricting32:33 What would you like to see from your time in the legislature34:30 Fly fishing and Henry Winkler39:08 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang"#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

Wes, Eneasz, and David keep the rationalist community informed about what's going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News Links:Texas Democrats went homeNew congressional map has passedOn Nov 4th there will be a special election in CA to redistrict CA and add 5 dem seats to counter TexasTrump civil fraud penalty overturnedTrump sent national guard to DC.Various red states have also sent Nat Guard to supplement the 800 DC guardMostly sent to touristy areas, the safest parts of DCSection 740 says the takeover expires at 30 days and only continues if Congress acts.Washington D.C. has had zero (0) murders in the past week (as of 8/22/2025)Trump planning on sending national guard to ChicagoUS Government acquired 10% of IntelNvidia and AMD agreed to give the US government 15% of revenue from sales of their H20 and MI308 AI chips to China in exchange for export licensesTrump EO: one year in jail for flag burningDaily Beast: RFK is going to ban the covid vaccineFirst case of New World Screwworm found in the USPreviously had be wiped out in America/MexicoA Chinese Coast Guard cutter and PLAN destroyer were harassing a Phillipino coast guard cutter, until they collided with each other.Brandon Hererra is coming back for round 2 against Tony GonzalezNews You Can IgnoreAmerican Eagle Sydney Sweeney jeans ad is great baitAOC vidoes were AI fakes.AOL shutting down its dial-up service Sept 30th.Wyoming launches first state-backed stablecoin - Frontier Stable TokenHappy News!The Smithsonian Air and Space museum has taken possession of an F-15C Eagle with at least 2 confirmed kills from the same pilot, including a maneuver kill against an Iraqi MiG-29 in 1991.Captain Rico Rodriguez was engaged in a close-quarters, low-altitude dogfight against an Iraqi. While trying to avoid Rico's guns, the Iraqi pilot performed an inverted dive and crashed into the desert.CEQA no longer applies to infill building in CA!First baby born with 3 people's DNAGallup poll: globally, people evaluate their lives better than everTawian nuclear spokeswoman Crystal Yang chugged a bottle of nuke-exposed water on cameraGet drones to fly your Chipotle burrito to you, if you live in DallasBritain abandoned its demand that Apple provide backdoor access to any encrypted user dataBionic leg prostheticNew Apple watches can monitor your blood oxygen level again!Ghost Painter in Italian city of Brescia paints over graffiti at night while masked. Records self and posts on tiktokTroop DeploymentDavid - Negotiate your salaryEneasz - Wireborn Art Isn't ArtWes - MAiD is a scissorGot something to say? Come chat with us on the Bayesian Conspiracy Discord or email us at themindkillerpodcast@gmail.com. Say something smart and we'll mention you on the next show!Follow us!RSS: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themindkillerGoogle: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Iqs7r7t6cdxw465zdulvwikhekmPocket Casts: https://pca.st/vvcmifu6Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-mind-killerApple: Intro/outro music: On Sale by Golden Duck Orchestra This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindkiller.substack.com/subscribe

Hating on environmental laws is now a bipartisan activity. California Democrats have leaned into the “Abundance agenda” — a progressive case for weakening regulations to build more housing, renewable energy, and other public goods — to take swipes at the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).But to what extent does California's landmark environmental law actually hold back housing production? And are proposed reforms actually aimed at the right targets?REQUIRED READING:In Defense of CEQA's Swiss Cheese“What is ‘abundance' liberalism, and why are people arguing about it?” The Guardian, March 28, 2025.Support the show

California is the most expensive state in the country to buy a house for a host of reasons, including a lack of inventory and high costs of building. One oft-blamed culprit is the California Environmental Quality Act. Developers say CEQA, enacted in 1970, made housing more expensive by piling on environmental regulations and making it too easy for individuals to file lawsuits against projects in their communities. This summer, the state legislature amended the law with the goal of making it faster and less expensive to build housing in California. We'll talk about how much of a difference CEQA reform could make in addressing the Bay Area's housing shortage and where – and when – we might see new developments. Guests: Adhiti Bandlamudi, housing reporter, KQED Sarah Karlinsky, director of research and policy, Terner Center for Housing Innovation, University of California, Berkeley Buffy Wicks, member, California State Assembly - she represents California's 15th Assembly District, which includes all or portions of the cities of Oakland, Richmond, Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, El Cerrito, San Pablo, Pinole, El Sobrante, Hercules, Kensington, and Piedmont Patrick Kennedy, owner, Panoramic Interests - a development firm that has been building in the Bay Area since 1990 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California has long prided itself on being a leader on environmental issues. Innovative laws like a carbon cap and trade program to limit greenhouse gas emissions and CEQA, which allows for environmental reviews of development projects, were a hallmark of that leadership. But a focus on cost of living and the need for more housing are putting into question how the state will balance environmental concerns with its desire for growth. In the first of a 2 day series looking at the impact of environmental reforms, we talk about what's ahead for California's environmental agenda. Guests: Wade Crowfoot, secretary, California Natural Resources Agency Ethan Elkind, director of the Climate Program at the Center for Law, Energy and the Environment, UC Berkeley School of Law; host of the podcast, Climate Break Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In what advocates call the most significant rollback in decades, California has enacted sweeping changes to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a landmark environmental law that has shaped land-use decisions since 1970. These changes came as part of the 2025 state budget deal, with Governor Newsom signing state budget bills into law that exempt a wide range of developments from critical environmental review. This week on Terra Verde, host and producer Hannah Wilton is joined by Raquel Mason, Senior Legislative Manager at the California Environmental Justice Alliance, and Asha Sharma, State Policy Manager at Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. Together, they unpack what CEQA is, how the new rollbacks were pushed through, and why these changes pose serious threats to environmental justice communities. This conversation explores how framing CEQA as a “barrier to progress” overlooks the law's vital protections for public health, transparency, and climate justice—and why advocates warn that California is veering toward dangerous deregulation just as federal safeguards are also under threat. The post California Rolls Back Landmark Environmental Law appeared first on KPFA.

Today, Amanda Blackwood is in for the Sheriff and she's talking about roads, infrastructure, and CEQA, the California Environmental Quality Act. She invites the Executive Director of Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority, Derek Minnema, to the program to hear about this from a civil engineering perspective.

In a rare turn of events, California has taken a step to ease one of the biggest roadblocks to housing construction: overregulation. In this episode, we'll break down the state's recent rollback of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for certain projects and what it means for housing affordability, developers, and the rest of the country. While challenges remain, this move could signal a much-needed shift toward practical solutions. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE   How California's new legislation scales back CEQA and why it matters Why developers and policymakers need to align for meaningful change The ripple effect of overregulation on housing supply and costs Obstacles that still stand in the way of true affordable housing What to watch for as cities and developers respond to the change   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Why It's Nearly Impossible to Build Affordable Housing in America with Brian Mertz | Apple Podcasts    CONNECT WITH US: If you need help with anything in real estate, please email invest@rpcinvest.com  Reach Ron: RP Capital Leave podcast reviews and topic suggestions: iTunes Subscribe and get additional info: Get Real Estate Success Facebook Group: Cash Flow Property Facebook Community Instagram: @ronphillips_ YouTube: RpCapital Get the latest trends and insights: RP Capital Newsletter

In this episode, we explore the landscape of solid waste management and CEQA compliance with Lisa Wood, Environmental Planner with TRC Companies, and Steve Weihe, Recycling Specialist II at the County of San Diego. Lisa brings decades of experience and was instrumental in updating CEQA guidelines for solid waste impacts – moving beyond the outdated "is there landfill capacity?" question to comprehensive impact analysis that considers state mandates and local infrastructure capacity. Steve, a certified Master Composter and TRUE Zero Waste Advisor, has developed innovative programs including mattress recycling at Miramar Landfill. He discusses the County's approaches to organic waste diversion and meeting SB 1383's requirement for 75% reduction in organic waste disposal. Together, they discuss how do we analyze solid waste impacts under CEQA when state diversion mandates increase but infrastructure capacity falls short? What happens when local agencies must balance ambitious waste reduction goals with limited processing capacity?  This conversation offers insights for environmental professionals working at the intersection of CEQA compliance and sustainable waste management, from source reduction strategies to cumulative impact analysis.

Hometown Radio 07/15/25 6p: Attorney Babak Naficy explains recent changes to the CEQA laws

State of the Bay examines the impact of federal healthcare cuts on Covered California, breaks down California's new CEQA reforms, and talks with Oakland author Leila Mottley about her new novel "The Girls Who Grew Big."

Hometown Radio 07/09/25 4p: Attorney Babak Naficy explains recent changes to CEQA laws

Breaking down California's recently-passed state budget and CEQA reforms. How the lack of menopause research affects accessing treatment and care. Finally, summer classes being offered at SFSU's Sierra Nevada Field Campus.

In an effort to spur housing production, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law major changes to the state's environmental protection rules last week.On Midday Edition Monday, we hear more about the reforms made to the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, and how it will likely impact housing production in San Diego County.Guest:Andrew Bowen, metro reporter, KPBS]]>

The California housing crisis is a disaster and an emergency. Housing construction per capita has steadily fallen in the last few decades, while home prices, rent, and homeless rates have all soared. By some estimates, the state is three million units short of housing demand—the equivalent of seven San Franciscos. One of the major barriers to building more housing has for decades been provisions in the California Environmental Quality Act. Signed by Gov. Ronald Reagan in the 1970s, the CEQA has been called "the law that ate California." It essentially allows anybody with a lawyer to stop any project they don't like, for any reason. But this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills to defang the CEQA. Housing reform advocates are calling it one of the most important legislative breakthroughs in modern state history. It could make it easier to build downtown housing and other urban development projects such as health clinics and childcare facilities. As Newsom wrote, “I just enacted the most game-changing housing reforms in recent California history. We're urgently embracing an abundance agenda by tearing down the barriers that have delayed new affordable housing and infrastructure for decades." Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks wrote the bill to encourage more high-density housing projects, while State Senator Scott Wiener wrote the bill to exempt several types of projects from environmental review. Wicks and Wiener are today's guests. We talk about the long road to breakthrough, the art of political persuasion, and the future of abundance in California. If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com. Host: Derek Thompson Guests: Buffy Wicks and Scott Weiner Producer: Devon Baroldi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lawmakers acquiesce to Newsom, roll back CEQA Please Subscribe + Rate & Review KMJ’s Afternoon Drive with Philip Teresi & E. Curtis Johnson wherever you listen! --- Please Subscribe + Rate & Review Philip Teresi on KMJ wherever you listen! --- KMJ’s Philip Teresi is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever else you listen. --- Philip Teresi, Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific News/Talk 580 & 105.9 KMJ DriveKMJ.com | Podcast | Facebook | X | Instagram --- Everything KMJ: kmjnow.com | Streaming | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawmakers acquiesce to Newsom, roll back CEQA Please Subscribe + Rate & Review KMJ’s Afternoon Drive with Philip Teresi & E. Curtis Johnson wherever you listen! --- Please Subscribe + Rate & Review Philip Teresi on KMJ wherever you listen! --- KMJ’s Philip Teresi is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever else you listen. --- Philip Teresi, Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific News/Talk 580 & 105.9 KMJ DriveKMJ.com | Podcast | Facebook | X | Instagram --- Everything KMJ: kmjnow.com | Streaming | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak with , Ashley Overhouse, the Water Policy Advisor for Defenders of Wildlife and Kim Delfino, the President and Founder of Earth Advocacy who are working to safeguard the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The recent California state budget includes significant CEQA  reforms aimed at streamlining housing development and other projects.  — Subscribe to this podcast: https://plinkhq.com/i/1637968343?to=page Get in touch: lawanddisorder@kpfa.org Follow us on socials @LawAndDis: https://twitter.com/LawAndDis; https://www.instagram.com/lawanddis/ The post California Budget and Environmental Rollbacks w/ Defenders of Wildlife's Ashley Overhouse and Kim Delfino appeared first on KPFA.

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions ramp up across California, fear is spreading through communities, even in small Central Valley towns like Dinuba. But one grocery store owner is doing more than just ringing up customers; he is delivering food right to their doors. Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report State lawmakers passed two controversial bills that will overhaul the state's landmark environmental law, known as CEQA. Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today marks the start of a new fiscal year in California, and the budget signed by Governor Gavin Newsom is going into effect now that the legislature met his demands for a major overhaul of California's landmark environmental bill. Newsom and others have long seen the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, as a major impediment to building housing. Scott and Marisa are joined by Dustin Gardiner, the co-author of Politico's California Playbook, to analyze the potential impact and political fallout of changes to CEQA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're bringing you more on the historic roll back of the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA. The legislation has allowed environmentalists to stymie urban housing projects, and to tell us what's next, KCBS Radio anchor Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.

In this episode, I'm joined by two of California's leading housing champions, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and Senator Scott Wiener, to discuss their bills to reform the state's notorious environmental review law, CEQA. We explore how a well-intentioned 1970s environmental protection has become a tool for NIMBYs, unions, and even oil companies to delay or kill housing projects — and why the politics have finally shifted enough to make progress possible. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.volts.wtf/subscribe

Buffy Wicks is a leading champion in Sacramento for building more housing in California. Her early political activities include working on both of Barack Obama's presidential campaigns. Now she represents parts of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties in Sacramento where she chairs the powerful Assembly Appropriations Committee. To get more housing built, Wicks is taking on a sacred cow in state politics, the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA. Wicks joins Scott and Marisa to talk about why reforming CEQA is such a hot button issue, and why she thinks it's so necessary to increase housing production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About the Host: Chris Clarke is the host of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast." With an extensive background in environmental journalism, Clarke has covered renewable energy developments in California's deserts for KCET, a public television station in Los Angeles. His work is driven by a passionate commitment to environmental conservation and protection, bringing to light the complexities and challenges of implementing renewable energy projects in sensitive desert habitats. Clarke's expertise and dedication continue to inform and inspire as he navigates the intricacies of desert ecosystems and environmental policies. Episode Summary: In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke offers a critical analysis of "Abundance," the new book by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. The episode unpacks the book's treatment of environmental regulations and sustainable development, particularly questioning the authors' thesis of liberal states allegedly hindering renewable projects due to stringent regulations. Clarke, drawing on his years of experience as a renewable energy reporter, counters this narrative with on-ground insights, advocating for the significance of environmental laws. Clarke critiques Klein and Thompson's perspective that liberal regulations are obstacles to progress, especially in solar energy projects. With examples from California's renewable energy history, he underscores how the actual challenges often stem from corporate dynamics rather than regulatory frameworks. Clarke highlights the pitfalls of Klein and Thompson's book, arguing that it oversimplifies complex issues by selectively presenting data, ultimately asserting the need for a grounded understanding of environmental policies. Key Takeaways: Environmental Regulations' Role: Clarke challenges the notion that environmental regulations, like CEQA, are the main barriers to renewable energy progress, presenting evidence from California's solar energy projects. Corporate Influence: The episode points out the critical role of corporate influence, particularly from utility companies, in shaping the renewable energy landscape, rather than blaming public regulations. Complexity in Policy Discussions: Emphasizes the need for detailed and nuanced discussions about housing and energy development, contrasting with the book's broad brush critiques. Grounded Evidence: Advocates for the significance of ground truthing and environmental laws in preventing unforeseen project impacts, contrary to the book's implications. Desert Habitat Challenges: Explores the environmental and cultural challenges of renewable projects in the California desert, highlighting systemic issues outside mere regulatory concerns. Notable Quotes: "In Klein and Thompson's telling of how liberal regulation is getting in the way of renewable energy development, the actual history of renewable energy development in the desert never showed up." "The function of these laws is to ground truth projects, to reduce the number of unanticipated consequences." "[Rooftop solar in California] is having some issues because the utilities don't like it." "This book is a testament to the power of selective cherry picking of data in order to bolster an ideological argument." "Abundance is essentially a polemic, an extended OP-ed, and in this climate, it's just not helpful." Resources: 90 Miles from Needles Website: http://90milesfromneedles.com California Distributed Generation Stats: https://www.californiadgstats.ca.gov/ "Rooftop Solar Reduces Costs for All Ratepayers" report by the California Solar and Storage Association: https://mcubedecon.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/calssa_rooftop-solar-reduces-costs-for-all-ratepayers-2025.pdf Mehdi Hasan and Derek Thompson discussing "Abundance": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTC5jKpYYNU Zeteo (Mehdi Hasan's new news network): https://zeteo.com/ Rose Foundation report on CEQA and housing: https://rosefdn.org/wp-content/uploads/CEQA-California_s-Living-Environmental-Law-10-25-21.pdf CEQA and Housing Production: https://www.califaep.org/docs/CEQA_and_Housing_Report_1-30-19.pdfBecome a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In March, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a 22-bill package aimed at reforming the building permitting process in California, an effort to fast-track housing development statewide. Wicks described the package as an effort to “slash red tape, remove uncertainty and to drastically reduce the time it takes to get new housing approved and built” in California. Asm. Wicks joined us to talk about the bills, why they are needed, and what it will take to get the package to the governor's desk this year.Next up, we're joined by Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero to talk about the impact of the new Trump tariffs on the nation's busiest port. Long Beach has already seen a significant reduction in shipping traffic this month; now, with zero container ships leaving China destined for California ports, empty shelves - and job losses - are likely not for behind.Plus, as always, we tell you Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics1:33 Insurance2:43 Gubernatorial candidates4:29 "I wrote my Master's thesis on the Recall"5:14 Obligatory Alex Vassar reference5:55 New Capitol Weekly Insiders survey6:38 California Journal7:43 Asm. Buffy Wicks9:18 "People Want Change"10:25 The need for CEQA reform11:43 "A coalition of the willing"14:36 A streamlined housing package on the governor's desk in September14:47 BCTC and the Carpenters16:49 "In California we make it too damn hard to build"18:08 Permitting reform20:24 "Government has to deliver for people"21:58 Housing and Transportation Policy is Climate Policy24:17 "As someone who grew up in a trailer, and dreamt of a wooden house someday..."24:36 Where does the package go next?25:28 $10 Billion affordable housing bill26:01 Shout out to Asm. Joe Patterson27:33 Two things to solve the Housing Crisis28:04 Crisis Fatigue32:49 Mario Cordero33:22 Impact of the tariffs34:40 The timing36:43 May 2025 numbers vs. past39:38 Are ships sitting offshore, waiting to come in?42:29 "China plus one"43:24 State of the wareshouses at the Port46:02 How many workers are impacted?48:01 The Green Port Policy54:01 "When I was about 10 years old I wanted to be the Mexican-American Leonard Bernstein"56:24 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang"#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

In this episode, we meet in person with Lesley Owning, a seasoned Principal Planner and Environmental Planning Group Manager at Helix Environmental Planning. With over 13 years of experience, Lesley manages CEQA and NEPA requirements for diverse projects, from infrastructure to renewable energy. Lesley highlights her career journey and key transitions that led her to her current leadership role. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and flexibility in nurturing her team, sharing her approach to career development and project management. Listeners will be inspired by Lesley's enthusiasm for projects like aquifer storage and groundwater recharge. She also discusses the evolving nature of the environmental industry and how leaders can support their teams in balancing personal and professional growth.

This episode is a brief 2025 AEP Conference Recap for our podcast listeners and viewers! This year's gathering brought environmental professionals together at Zachari Dunes in Oxnard, California, in early April. Centered around the theme “Seeds of Change, Waves of Progress,” the conference offered a blend of insightful keynotes, dynamic breakout sessions, and meaningful networking opportunities. Attendees explored everything from emerging CEQA trends and climate resilience to cutting-edge tools and AI in environmental planning. To capture the spirit of the event, we spoke with attendees from across the profession—here's what they had to say about their experience at this year's conference.

Today on AirTalk, LA County strips hundreds of millions from LAHSA, what's next? We have councilmembers, a reporter, and Mayor Bass on the show to talk about the vote. A new bill targets CEQA requirements for infill housing projects. Unrest grows in Central Valley communities due to fear surrounding ICE presence. The Rose Bowl has announced that it will opt for drones this Fourth of July in place of fireworks. What do you think? American Jazz pianist Emmet Cohen talks tour. LA County strips hundreds of millions from LAHSA (00:17) New bill targets CEQA housing requirements (27:29) Supervisor Lindsey Horvath on LAHSA vote (41:04) ICE unrest in Central Valley communities (50:58) Rose Bowl opts for 4th of July drones (1:11:05) Jazz pianist Emmet Cohen (1:30:10) Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency!

Governor Gavin Newsom issues another executive order to speed up rebuilding -- this one applies to electric, gas and other utility companies. We check in on "Altadena Not For Sale" rally at Fair Oaks Burger today. An art gallery reopens after the Palisades fire. And, an artist talks to 100 local leaders to capture the zeitgeist of L.A. Plus more. Support The L.A. Report by donating at LAist.com/join and by visiting https://laist.com Support the show: https://laist.com

The Law of Rebuilding LA Episode 17: CEQA and Coastal Act challenges by

In Part 2 of this three-part podcast series, host Sloan Simmons is back with Lozano Smith Facilities and Business Partners Megan Macy and Anne Collins, and special guest Sue Bell, Chief Facilities Officer for the Elk Grove Unified School District. The group covers team building, planning with and for consultants, tips and tricks, and how to best utilize your legal team to get your project off the ground. Stay tuned for Part 3: Implementation, and visit www.lozanosmith.com/podcast to access upcoming episodes upon immediate release. Show Notes & References 1:55 – Building your team of construction professionals 3:07 – FAQ – Construction Professional Selection 5:42 – Planning for consultants on the team 6:41 – When to involve a CEQA consultant 8:11 – Starting your project (mapping, calendars, etc.) 10:29 – Interplay with Facilities Master Plan work 11:49 – Tips and tricks for procuring consultants 14:21 – The value of site visits 16:20 – Interacting with your legal team

The 2025 Pacific Palisades Fire has underscored the challenges of building in California’s complex regulatory landscape. In response, Governor Newsom issued an executive order suspending CEQA and Coastal Act requirements to expedite reconstruction, raising important questions about the future of development in the state. In this podcast, experts Jeremy Talcott and Donald Kochan examine California's regulatory environment before the disaster and the broader implications of its permitting processes in the effort to rebuild. Join us for an in-depth discussion on balancing efficient recovery with long-term regulatory considerations.

On this week's What in the World, A'ndre chatted with Tahra Jirari, Director of Economic Analysis at the Chamber of Progress, on the devastating 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles and the urgent need for systemic reform. A'ndre and Tahra talked about the unprecedented scale of destruction caused by the wildfires, and why Tahra believes they have been exacerbated by regulatory hurdles, housing policies, and insufficient wildfire prevention efforts. Tahra explained how frameworks like the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other regulations have inadvertently slowed crucial wildfire prevention projects, contributing to the crisis. Tahra outlined some of her policy recommendations, emphasizing the need for reforms to CEQA, fire-resistant construction mandates, and proactive wildfire prevention programs to address the growing risks. She also explored why urban neighborhoods tend to be more fire-resistant than suburban areas, the role of housing policy in pushing development into high-risk zones, and the implications of Proposition 103 for California's insurance market. Tahra advocated for an Operation Warp Speed-style initiative to tackle the wildfire crisis in Los Angeles, integrating innovative solutions and regulatory reforms to build long-term resilience.You can read Tahra's Medium op-ed, where she outlines her recommendations, here.

Wes, Eneasz, and David keep the rationalist community informed about what's going on outside of the rationalist communitySupport us on Substack!News discussed:Early signs look like congestion pricing is reducing traffic in ManhattanTrump sentenced to “unconditional discharge”Dockworkers union has a tentative dealFIRE to defend pollster in Trump lawsuit over outlier election pollSome accounts criticized H1B visas and Elon retaliated by removing their verificationAt least 24 people killed in LA firesOver 12,000 homes and businesses burnedNewsome executive order waives CEQA and Coastal Act requirements for rebuildingThere will be no post-blitz boomMayor of LA ensures very little rebuilding will happenThe state of California got 6 month's advance warning from the best risk-assessment professionalsEvery time an insurance company wants to raise rates for automobiles or homes, they have to have a public hearing and an elected insurance commissioner has to approve.1600 policies cancelled in the Palisades over the summer (major devastation area).FAIR testified it only had about $385 million, LA fires could have up to $24B of exposureNewsome bans insurance companies from not renewing policiesBiden blocked sale of US Steel to Nippon SteelBlinken, Yellen, and many other advisors against the blockNippon Steel and US Steel filing suit to challengeFederal judge found that requiring teachers to use preferred pronouns violates 1AAlso struck down the Biden administration's unconstitutional Title IX rulesTrudeau is donezoCFPB banned medical debt from lowering credit scoresMeta going based for Trump yearsFired chief diversity officer, ended diversity goals, stopped prioritizing minority-owned businessesRemoved tampons from mens bathroomsThe Sadam Statues are falling - HananiaPretty good Nate Silver piece on thisTik Tok is probably going to shut down on January 19thNews You Can Ignore“Grooming Gangs”?. (counter: Free Press?)Elon Musk bought his Path of Exile account and his ranking in Diablo 4 is out of under 1000 players (Trace called it)Happy News!Amazon moving forward with WarHammer 40K series starring and lead by Henry Cavil.WarHammer is For RomanticsUS govt funding bird flu vaccine research and stocking up on vaccinesThe Bukele Administration has turned the country from the most murderous in Latin America to the safestWeather nerds found out where the water went during California's drought!Minnesota Summer Camp for HIV-Positive Kids Closes Down–Because There Aren't Any MoreScientists drilled a 1.2M year old ice core out of AntarcticaTroop DeploymentEneasz - I have just released a short story collection titled Dear GromGot something to say? Come chat with us on the Bayesian Conspiracy Discord or email us at themindkillerpodcast@gmail.com. Say something smart and we'll mention you on the next show!Follow us!RSS: http://feeds.feedburner.com/themindkillerGoogle: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Iqs7r7t6cdxw465zdulvwikhekmPocket Casts: https://pca.st/vvcmifu6Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-mind-killerApple: Intro/outro music: On Sale by Golden Duck Orchestra This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindkiller.substack.com/subscribe

I had a blast chatting with Jennifer before, during, and after our recording! I have known her for years, but this is the first time we got to sit and chat live! I guarantee we will have a part II to our conversation! I hope you enjoy this episode! And be sure to check out all of Pando PR's services. About Jennifer, APRFounder & CEO of Pando Public Relations Jennifer has worked in education technology since the early days when teachers were first learning how to use PowerPoint in the classroom. Back then, she drove the highways of California in a modified bus stocked with hardware and software from dozens of companies. That's where she learned the ins and outs of education and gained first-hand experience working with teachers. From there, she took over as public relations manager for PowerSchool, which was a darling of its time and has since grown to be one the largest and most respected companies in education. Jennifer launched her consulting business with her first major education client, Holt McDougal, and a handful of government agencies needing help with public outreach, CEQA, and rate hikes. Today, Pando PR has grown to be a full-service agency specializing in public relations for companies in the K-12 and higher education space. Pando's staff also works with companies, institutions, and organizations engaged in workforce development and training, particularly in healthcare and technology. Jennifer holds a B.S. in animal science and reproductive physiology from the University of California, Davis, and an M.A. in public affairs and issues management from California State University, Sacramento. The Public Relations Society of America honored her with a coveted and difficult to earn credential recognizing her expertise in the public relations field: the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). Learn more about Pando PR ⁠here.⁠ Connect with ⁠Jennifer on LinkedIn⁠ Be sure to subscribe to my podcast and ⁠newsletter⁠ to keep on learning! Need a speaker for your event or consultant? ⁠Contact me ⁠for more information.

Welcome to the Environmental Leadership Chronicles, brought to you by the California Association of Environmental Professionals. In this episode, we are thrilled to feature Cameron Lukos, a GIS analyst and biologist at GPA Consulting, who is pioneering the integration of technology and biology in environmental science. Cameron discusses his dual role in providing GIS support across various departments, including biology, architectural history, and CEQA compliance, while also engaging in fieldwork such as biological surveys and habitat assessments. He shares insights into how his family's legacy in the environmental industry has shaped his career path, drawing inspiration from his father's work as an aquatic biologist. As the student liaison for AEP's Orange County chapter, Cameron is passionate about mentoring the next generation of environmental leaders. He offers valuable advice to students on networking, gaining industry experience, and the importance of internships. Join hosts Jessa and Corinne as they delve into Cameron's journey, exploring the intersection of GIS technology and biology, and how Cameron's dedication is creating a positive ripple effect in the environmental sector. Listen in to discover how Cameron navigates the challenges of a rapidly changing industry, his vision for the future, and his commitment to fostering new talent in environmental science.

In this episode, we feature Joan Valle, the Chief of Regulatory for the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. With over 20 years of experience in environmental planning, Joan shares her expertise in managing teams and programs related to key environmental regulations such as CEQA, NEPA, and the Clean Water Act. Joan discusses her passion for finding win-win solutions with resource agencies and stakeholders, as well as her active role in lobbying state and federal decision-makers for policies that benefit Riverside County and beyond. She also talks about her involvement with the AEP Legislative Committee and the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies. Join hosts Jessa and Corinne as they dive into Joan's leadership journey, her career path from environmental analyst to division chief, and her insights into the challenges and rewards of working in flood control and water conservation. Joan also shares her thoughts on the importance of effective environmental laws and policies, and her vision for the future of the environmental profession. Listen in to learn more about Joan's experiences, her favorite projects, and what drives her dedication to protecting communities through innovative environmental solutions.

Just last week, the legislative session for the year ended in Sacramento meaning a batch of legislation was passed that, if signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, would change the way the state conducts its transportation business. In this episode of SGV Connect, co-host Damien Newton goes it alone, interviewing Streetsblog California editor Melanie Curry. As an aside, both Newton and Curry will be at the Streetsblog San Francisco/Streetsblog California anniversary party next week at Manny's in the Mission on Thursday, September 12, at 6:00 p.m. along with a bevy of transportation reform superstars including mayors, transit board chairs and Senator Scott Wiener. If you happen to be in the area, drop by and join us. Reserve your ticket, here. But for now, buckle in and enjoy today's podcast. A full transcript can be found beneath the audio player below. Damien   Before we get into the podcast, let me remind everyone that SGV Connect is supported by Foothill Transit, offering car-free travel throughout the San Gabriel Valley with connections to the new Gold Line Stations across the Foothills and Commuter Express lines traveling into the heart of downtown L.A. To plan your trip, visit Foothill Transit. “Foothill Transit. Going Good Places.”   Hello, welcome to SGV Connect episode 127. My name's Damien Newton. We have a bit of a throwback episode here in that I am doing it on my own - or well, I'm not on my own, I have a guest: Melanie Curry, the editor of Streetsblog California, who's going to give us an update on legislation that has been passed and is awaiting the signature of the governor…hopefully.   We timed this episode to coincide with our Streetsblog San Francisco/California anniversary dinner next Thursday. If you'd like to join us on September 12, click here for more details.   And a link with all the information is in the email, excuse me, in the text of the story that accompanies this podcast. Boy, I'm struggling today, Melanie. I hope you're on your A game.    …and she gave a thumbs up. You guys can't see that because we're not recording the video.   All right. So it just so happens that the first couple pieces of legislation we want to talk about were authored and introduced by Senator Scott Wiener, who happens to be one of our guests of honor next week.   Isn't that an amazing coincidence? So why don't you start off by telling us a little bit about these two pieces of legislation? And again, these are passed by the legislature, but awaiting signature or possibly something worse from the governor.   Melanie Oh, we don't want it to be worse.    This is one of the reasons that we are giving a Streetsie to Senator Scott Wiener - because he got SB 960, a complete streets bill, passed… again. He's tried three times with this bill and last time it was vetoed by the governor. So we're crossing our fingers that that doesn't happen again.   It's a little bit different this time around. Caltrans pushed just as hard against it as it had in the past. They keep saying, “we're already making complete streets a priority.”   Damien …um…are they already making complete streets a priority?   Melanie It's hard to say. At the headquarters level, their talk is good, but how it comes out on the ground is a different story. CalBike is working on a report about that very issue, which they're not quite ready to release, but we'll find out soon what they have to say.    At any rate, Caltrans says they have a complete streets policy. But they're not really doing it. So what happened with SB 960 is Caltrans pushed back. They got language that they are more comfortable with, which is kind of similar to what they already have: they'll make complete streets when they are working on maintenance projects where feasible, which still gives them kind of a lot of outs.    However, the bill is a lot stronger than last time around. It specifically includes a requirement to create a transit priority policy at Caltrans - which is a huge difference. It requires better transparency, so Caltrans has to report on their complete streets and how much money they're putting into it.    It also requires them to come up with a shorter encroachment permit process - which sounds really wonky and kind of is - but it makes it easier for cities to make their own changes on their streets if they want to build a bike lane or something like that without having to go through  the onerous process that Caltrans makes them do..    Anyway, it's been passed. We've got our fingers crossed. It's not the solution, but it's a really good step in the right direction for making Caltrans make complete streets on all of their facilities when they are repairing them..Not freeways, but all the other ones.   Damien If this is a stronger piece of legislation than last time, doesn't it seem less likely that Governor Newsom will sign it?   Melanie Well, it's interesting. It's stronger in ways that are outside of the when and where. It's stronger because it has transit priority, which it didn't before. It's stronger because it calls for better transparency and a shorter permit process. But in terms of requiring when and where complete streets are to be incorporated into Caltrans projects, it's really similar to what the current Caltrans policy is.    It's kind of an interesting argument. [Newsom] said “give Caltrans a chance” when he vetoed a similar bill in the past. But at that time, there was a new Caltrans director. So they got a chance. That was four years ago. They had their chance. We haven't seen any results. So we're back with this bill.   I think it will take something to get the governor to sign it, but it might not be as onerous as it would have been four years ago. I mean, weigh in, call the governor! I don't know. It definitely needed support to get passed by the legislature, but I think it has a better chance than the last one did.   Damien But that's not the only thing that Senator Wiener's done that has him on our list of “legislation to talk about today.” He's also done something with passive speed enforcement. You might need to explain this one a little bit.   I know you just did a story on it, and I read the story. I could totally talk about this if I had to, but, you know, people would rather hear you talk about it than me.   Melanie Are you sure?   Damien I assume.   Melanie I don't know. My voice can get a little whiny. No, it's not enforcement. It's assist. So it's in-car technology that tells people, hey, you've gone over the speed limit. And it does that with, like, a beep.    So this one was going to be a great bill. We were excited about it when Wiener first [introduced it] because he was looking for something more active - which is also a, technology that exists where … it prevents you from going over the speed limit. But that was just too crazy. So - not too crazy, it's a known and used technology. European cars have it. But there was too much pushback. So he said, “OK, passive speed limit assist technology in all new cars starting in 2030.”   And that passed. And you know it's better than nothing. A lot of new cars already have this technology…   Damien …almost every rental car too   Melanie It would be very surprising if it didn't get passed. It's a help. There's actually surveys that show that drivers like it.   And what's really strange to me is that about six or seven Republican legislators in California wrote this strongly worded letter to Governor Newsom telling him to veto it because enforcement is a better way to [handle this issue]. And they said it puts an “undue burden on the majority of responsible drivers,” which, uh, wait a minute.   Damien Wait, but they're speeding, right?   Melanie Yeah. Yet it's an “undue burden.” Like it's going to beep at you. Like one beep. It's only a one-time notification. So I don't know where they get any of that, “Undue burden on responsible drivers?”    If you're going over the speed limit, wouldn't you want [your car] to tell you? I don't know. I really don't know where this comes from. I imagine all of them just want to speed like crazy for as long as they want to.   Damien These are the people that obviously rent rental cars and then speed in them.   Melanie And they don't like that one beep.   Damien They don't like that beep…Not that I know from my recent road trip what that sounds like.   Melanie Does it continue or is it just one [sound]?   Damien I think it depends. The car that we had, it beeped every time you went 10 miles over the speed limit. So, we obviously heard it once and then adjusted our driving for the rest of the drive across the country because, yeah.   Melanie Yeah. Right. Which is what people want. You know, like what if you're in a place that you don't know? What if you're driving in Oregon and there might be a cop that's going to pull you over?   Damien Or what if the speed limit drops and you miss the sign?   Melanie Exactly.   Damien If we drove through a county and you know at the speed limit dropped 10 miles an hour, and then all of a sudden we went from driving roughly the speed limit to driving 10 miles over the speed limit…that's where we were.   Melanie And that's where you're likely to get a ticket, too. So it's really helpful to be told by your car.   Damien Was it the ticket lobby that was against this?   Melanie You know, I don't know who those people are. I don't know if they're a lobby. They're just Republicans. I could find the letter and read you their names if you want, but they're Republican legislators who just hated it.   Damien I'm just flashing back, as I always do, to the efforts to set the speed limit…legislation that we fought for for so long and finally got passed by Laura Friedman a couple of years ago, and the dumb arguments we would hear about it.   Melanie Yeah, it's weird to me…. I'm looking at some of the names of the people that signed it, and I have to say some of them say some really dumb things in the hearings.   So I don't want to say they're dumb, but they're not very well informed.   Damien We can say that if you want to.   Melanie And this letter proves that…And they have an agenda that doesn't make a lot of sense.    Just the idea there, they are law-and-order Republicans and for some reason they really love the idea of giving people tickets to enforce this [issue]. I don't understand their thinking. I have the feeling that's not going to have much sway with Governor Newsom. Who knows?   Damien I mean, you never know these days. And he's been… he's been more conservative in the past year than I would have thought.   Melanie Yeah.  I'm not a politician for a reason. I don't understand the way you think about things when you're a politician. It's not always logical.   Damien Speaking of not always logical, let's talk about a bill that had to do with when you can and can't paint sharrows that was passed, but without the support of its initial sponsor, Streets for All…So what happened there?   Melanie Gosh, who knows. So, this is SB 1216 from Catherine Blakespear.   This was also a[similar]  provision in another bill from Laura Friedman, AB 2290, but that one was just held back. It didn't go anywhere.    So what this was trying to do was limit the use of Class III bike routes, which are, you know, they are signs and sharrows painted in the street, at most. They might just be signs, but they were really trying to get away from calling those even bike routes. People like Caltrans will put them down and say, “look, we made you a bike route.” But they don't really have any kind of good standards for when they use them, so the legislature tried to limit their use..    Plus, [the sponsors] wanted to eliminate funding for those projects. And actually, they sort of succeeded. When it was in the Assembly [Transportation} Committee, the bill was amended to restrict sharrows to roads that are 30 miles an hour or slower.    Imagine riding your bike at, what, 10 miles an hour on a 30 mile an hour road, and there's a sharrow there telling you to go ahead and use it. So whoever decided that 30 miles an hour or slower made sense is not a bike rider. And [the committee] would not remove any limitation on using bike route signs, so they can mark a bike route wherever they want, which doesn't also doesn't make sense.    Thinking of fast streets in the San Fernando Valley, for example, they could just call those bike routes. So when you look on Google Maps, it's going to tell you to go that way…and you get out there and you're like, “ah, I don't want to ride this road.”    It was so bad that the sponsor, Streets for All, just gave up. But! One good thing about that bill is it does have a provision that says that … Active Transportation Program projects can no longer use [ATP funds] for Class III bike routes, after January 2026.    I have a feeling that it doesn't really do that much anymore because the people who run the program are pretty aware of what makes a good bike route or a good bike project, and Class III doesn't really count. However, Caltrans is still going to use class III bike routes and claim credit for creating bike facilities. We have to keep our eye on that.   Damien One piece of legislation that we covered in our Santa Monica publication is Malibu would now be able to put speed cameras on the PCH as part of the pilot program.   There's a lot of reasons this is interesting.    A) that so many communities want to get in on a pilot program. There were three cities in Senator Ben Allen's district, but only Malibu made it on this piece of legislation.  B) is the need for this extremely complicated pilot program that a year after the legislation was passed, no cities actually have speed cameras up. Yet they're allowing other cities - and yet we [already] know from the entire rest of the world that speed cameras work - to join this complicated pilot program.   Do you want to talk at all about this legislation, what it actually does, and if maybe I took all of the thunder away on the interesting things, tell me to be a better interviewer. But if I did not, then fill in some other interesting things about this.   Melanie SB 1297 from Senator Ben Allen adds the city of Malibu to the speed camera pilot program that was created by AB 645 last year. That was from assemblymember Laura Friedman that allowed Glendale, LA, Long Beach, San Jose, Oakland, and San Francisco to do pilot programs with a limited number of cameras under all these really tight restrictions about where they could be, how they could be deployed, how they collected information from them, how they gave tickets, and they had to keep the the tickets out of the court system, and the fines had to be low and all kinds of really really tight restrictions.   None of those cities, as far as I can tell, have put up any cameras yet.   San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose have chosen locations for them, but they're not going to install them until next year. I can't find out about the other cities. At any rate, the city of Malibu will be able to add five cameras along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu [under this bill].   So what do we do about all the other cities like Santa Monica that might also want to put up speed cameras? They're all gonna have to wait. There's so much pushback from privacy groups and law enforcement, all these people who object to these programs. For law enforcement, this will make their life easier, but okay, whatever.   Damien The whole thing baffles me. Allen introduced this after there was a high profile crash that killed a bunch of Pepperdine students standing on the side of the road late last year. The PCH in Malibu has always been a safety disaster for bicyclists, for pedestrians, for car drivers, for everyone. Allen tried to address this - there are several different project programs that are going on, educational programs, enforcement programs…this effort was sort of added on to those.   But as soon as he announced it, all the other cities in his district were like, “ooh, us too, us too.”   Because cities want these. It just feels weird to me that the state is making it so hard, with a cumbersome pilot program and only certain cities.   This feels like an effort to keep them out, not an effort to promote them.   Melanie Yeah. What's fascinating to me about it is one of the arguments - which is a valid argument - against this was that street design is a more [effective] way to slow people down.   Yes, it's true. So one of the provisions in the original bill is that other street design changes had to be made. And especially if they put up a camera and it didn't slow speeds, then they had to make those street design changes.    Well, PCH really needs some design changes. And the ones – the responses that they have [had] to that crash are just pathetic. I'm sorry, they put up speed feedback signs and they put up signs. Education, enforcement, those are fine, but those are not the kinds of things that make people slow down or actually change the street so that people have to drive slow.   We just have so much resistance to creating calm streets. And because the PCH is such a heavily used thruway, people want to zoom on it. It doesn't make sense for people to be zooming on it. But it's just part of our speed culture that we just can't change [yet]. It's a bummer.   Damien I say romantic, I don't necessarily mean romance; but how many pop culture references over the years feature the hero or heroine in their convertible speeding up the PCH?   Melanie Absolutely. It's glamorized for sure.   I say people who want to go fast and feel the wind in their hair should roll their windows down and stick their heads out the window while they drive and feel the wind that way because it feels like you're going fast even if you're going like 20 miles an hour.   Damien Is it a little weird to hear the argument that it's road design that really slows streets down so we can't…we shouldn't do speed cameras 10 minutes after we were just discussing how Caltrans doesn't want to be mandated to do safe road design.   Melanie Yeah, we're in a very strange tangle trying to make sense out of all of this.   I mean, we can see it, advocates can see it. But the arguments can be complicated. I maintain hope that we will prevail sooner or later. And it's partly because we have super smart people working on these issues. But man, it's not easy. It's not easy.   Damien There was one more piece of major legislation we wanted to talk about before we might run down some of the other pieces, and that was what's been going on with e-bikes. It doesn't appear like there's much of an effort to make statewide e-bike policy. Instead, it's an effort to define what different communities can and can't do.   Melanie Yeah, and I wouldn't even call these major legislation.   Both of the authors of these two e-bike bills, [Assemblymembers] Tasha Boerner and Damon Connolly, had started off with bills that were going to require a license to ride e-bikes, at least class 2 or class 3 e-bikes. I'll go over the classifications in a minute. They're all about speed and throttle and stuff like that. But it became pretty clear those bills were not going anywhere. So both of them changed them.    In Boerners case San Diego and in Donnelly's case Marin County - they allow local jurisdictions to create e-bike restrictions.    Borners would allow San Diego to pass an ordinance banning children under 12 and from riding class 1 or 2 e-bikes. You have to be 18 to ride a class three e-bike [already]. What is a class 3 e-bike? Let's see, [it's] a little complicated: You have to use the pedals. You can't use just the motor, but it can go up to like 28 miles per hour using pedals.   You have to be 18 to ride that kind of bike. So Boerner wants it to change it so no one under 12 can ride a class 1 e-bike, which has a little bit of pedal assist up to 20 miles an hour at the most, or class 2, which has a throttle assist up to 20 miles per hour. And then after that, you would have to use your pedals, but [a class 2] could go 28 miles per hour.   Connelly has a similar bill, but he doesn't want anyone under 16 [to ride]. So [his bill would] allow Marin to pass an ordinance to require people to be at least 16 to ride a class 2 e-bike. And they could, if they wanted to, [also] pass an ordinance requiring any e-bike rider to wear a helmet. Even adults.    So it's a problem because they're inconsistent. They're local ordinances. Local helmet ordinances from the get-go are a bad idea. There's a lot of people from Berkeley who ride into Marin. So like, what are they going to do suddenly? There's a different law for them over there?   Damien I remember down here when one city was talking about banning scooters and others weren't, and it was like, well, what's gonna happen to someone riding on a scooter when they cross a border…Is it just gonna, like, stop?   Melanie Yeah. Well, yeah, actually they can. They do put speed limiters on scooters! Not cars…not cars where they could really do some good.    Those [bills] are like mostly annoying. They both passed, though. They're on the governor's desk. He may well sign them. Whether San Diego and Marin County passed those ordinances is a different question.   Another e-bike bill was from Senator Dave Min, which is kind of [an] interesting [one]. First it says that any e-bike sold in California has to have an e-bike battery that is certified to be safe, either the UL or the EU certification [or the like]. People are worried about battery fires and that would prevent that.   It's not without its controversy because when they were talking battery standards for the e-bike incentive program, there were a lot of bike sellers who were mad about that. They were selling bikes that didn't have that certification. And they were like, “they're fine!    But anyway, that passed. So if he signs it, they'd have to be certified.   And then the other thing that [the bill] did was clarify the definition of e-bikes. The reason that was an issue was because there is at least one manufacturer that makes these bikes that they sell as class 2 ebikes.    So class 2 has a throttle assist and you can go with the throttle up to 20. With pedaling you can go up to 28 miles an hour. So they were selling these as class 2 e-bikes, but they had a switch on them that would allow them to go “off-road.” [That would allow them to] go way faster with just the throttle, which means they're basically mopeds. Min's bill made those illegal. If  you sell something that's switchable, it's not an e-bike.   Wait, it's not illegal. It's a moped, which means, you know, age restriction and helmet restriction, etc. Because if you can go over 28 with a throttle, it…Yeah, that's not an e-bike.   And the thing is, like, how do you enforce that?   Can a cop tell from looking at it whether a bike is an actual class 2 e-bike or is it something else?   Damien So let's try and run down the rest of the legislation we had that we were going to at least touch on today.   Melanie Just a few things…One thing that passed that I think is really important because it makes me nervous is Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry worked really hard to get a bill passed that said you could not have any autonomous vehicle big rigs being tested on California roads unless there was a human operator present.   It was amazing how hard she had to argue for this.   Newsom had vetoed a similar bill last year, so he may veto this again. But meanwhile, the DMV is already … starting to put out draft regulations… for autonomous big rigs.   Isn't that fun to think about: driving on a road like Highway 5 and knowing the truck next to you has nobody in it?   If he signs this, there will have to at least be a person in the vehicle.   Damien Yeah, he's not, he's not signing that, I bet.   Melanie Maybe I can just like curl up in a ball and stay home for the rest of my life. Or they hurry up with that train so I don't ever have to get on a highway again.   Damien You saw the video? I mean, it looks like it's just about finished.   Melanie Uh no… but okay it's happening.   I would say one more more [bill] that's kind of cool is AB 2503 which gives a CEQA exemption for zero emission trains. There's a problem with that, of course, as it's another way that they're poking holes in CEQA instead of just reforming CEQA, and also it specifically says zero emission trains and people are still calling hydrogen trains zero-emission trains, and they don't understand why I refuse to do that. So, okay…a CEQA exemption for clean energy trains.   We need that, but still it's not great.   Senator Blakespear had got passed SB 689 so that you would not need to conduct a study to convert a vehicle lane into a bike or a transit lane in coastal areas. That was specifically to overcome problems with the Coastal Commission process.    And then there's another one, AB 3177. Streets for All sponsored it, and it's a little wonky. It says that you cannot require a new housing project to pay a mitigation fee to be used towiden a road. So that's big. And then there's one more, AB 2086, which calls for more transparency from Caltrans -  they have to create a dashboard that shows their funding which is very complicated   None of these have been signed, however.   Damien Right. None of these have been signed. Based on previous years, some of them might not be slam dunks, but if people have heard anything today that they want to weigh in on - again, you can contact your governor. Sorry. It's a little play of words off the, you know, contact your representative today. Contact your governor. It's the same governor I have. I think he's in state right now. So it's a good time to get him   So again, if you want to talk to us about this in person, we will be in San Francisco next week at Manny's in the Mission at 6 PM on Thursday. Feel free to stop by. Feel free to buy a ticket. Feel free to say hello. More information on that event is on Streetsblog California and Streetsblog  San Francisco, and of course, links to all of that are included with the text that accompanies this podcast.    Thank you for your time today, Melanie, and we will talk to you again probably at the end of the year. We'll talk about which of these bills have been signed and not signed and what we're looking forward to in 2025, which is getting closer.

Podcast Show Notes In this episode of Right to Life Radio, host John Gerardi is joined by Jonathan Keller from California Family Council to dive into the hot-button issue of abortion legislation in California. They discuss the latest bill, AB 2085, which aims to streamline the approval process for abortion clinics by stripping local municipalities of their decision-making power. The duo explores the implications of this bill for communities in the San Joaquin Valley, particularly Tulare County, which has been targeted by abortion providers.   Key topics include: • Overview of AB 2085 and its potential impact on local zoning laws. • Historical context of abortion clinic proposals in Tulare and Visalia. • The role of local pro-life activists in opposing these clinics. • The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and its exclusion for abortion clinics under the new bill. • The Southern Poverty Law Center's designation of California Family Council as a “hate group” and its broader implications for conservative organizations.   Join John and Jonathan as they unravel the complex legal and social battles surrounding abortion access and local governance in California.

CA lawmakers are urged to exempt new urban housing from environmental reviews. LA County's Rent Relief Program application reopens Monday for landlords. The region's oldest independent bookstore closes its Hastings Ranch location.   Support The L.A. Report by donating at LAist.com/join and by visiting https://laist.com.  Support the show: https://laist.com

In this episode, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Chairman of the Board Bob Mendez talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about policies that impact middle income families, and how we can alter existing policies to create a better environment for them to thrive.   About Bob Mendez:A former member of the US Navy, Bob Mendez has had a decorate career in finance, having worked at Merrill Lynch Smith Barney, and Morgan Stanley. He also is actively involved in his community as Chairman of the Board for the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, Chairperson on Budget Engagement Commission for the City of Riverside, and a member of the Honorary Commanders - a civilian organization that supports the March Air Reserve Base.Learn more about Bob Mendez via https://www.raymondjames.com/rlmwealthgroup/about-us/bio?_=bob.mendez  Podcast Highlights:  “When we look at middle-income families as a whole in our society, they provide us with a source of economic stability in that they generally make up the largest portion of the workforce. They can provide a steady stream of local income and taxes as well. And it's critical, especially for any local economy like here in Riverside, which [needs to be able to demonstrate they have a stable workforce] in order to be able to effectively borrow. Plus, they provide consumer spending, which is critical for our local businesses…” -       Bob Mendez on the topic of the value middle income families bring to local families.  “The California Environmental Quality Act, is designed to protect our environment. So, I understand the need for CEQA and I like some aspects of it, but there are certain things that could easily be tweaked in order to help, especially suffering middle income families. It's my understanding that, when a developer is looking to build a housing unit, there is approximately $40,000 to $50,000 of cost associated with just regulations that go into the building of just one unit. And we could make simple, I think, adjustments there [so that middle income families can have access to housing they can afford].“ -       Bob Mendez on the unintended consequences policies such as CEQA bring forth, despite good intentions. “I always say it comes down to three things, and it's jobs, jobs, and jobs. You know, we really need to come together, you know, in terms of being able to all move in the right direction to produce good paying jobs for individuals. You know, we just really have to break down all these silos between the city, the county, even our institutions of higher education, and the chamber, you know, where we all work collectively together for the betterment of our community." -      Bob Mendez on the importance of collaboration between sectors to create jobs and effective change.  Guest: Bob Mendez (Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Chairman of the Board )  Interviewers: Rachel Strausman (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean's Vice Chief Ambassador) Pia Prashanth (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean's Ambassador)  Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/AoX6HO_K8AY?si=aH7l4IouhnzmuSkt Music by: C Codainehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/PhaseCommercial Links:https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpphttps://spp.ucr.edu/mpp  This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/  Subscribe to this podcast so you don't miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast. 

In this episode, we discuss why Nikki Haley is still in the race and how the Independents and Republicans truly feel about Nikki Haley. Haley clearly has no chance of winning, and I discuss how this affects the future of the presidential race and what could happen if Trump does get convicted in his current cases. Next, I discuss how housing costs are the #1 reason why Californians are leaving the state, which has a trickle-down effect on other state issues. California's environmental laws are a massive part of the housing crisis in California, I discuss how my initiative is helping combat these issues and take on the CEQA laws. If you want to help fix California's housing crisis, help us get this on the ballot at CalHomesNow.com and click “Help Us Get This On the Ballot” and we will mail you a ballot if it qualifies!  I am also joined by Jennifer Horn to discuss California Corner and our first point of discussion is the debate for the Federal Office to replace Feinstein and our thoughts and who we are excited to see in the state race. We also get into California's crazy proposed laws and headlines, including a proposed law that says cars made or sold in California would not be able to go 10mph over the speed limit. Californians are very obviously fed up with the crime rates in the state, and all eyes will be on the Los Angeles District Attorney race.  Lastly, I am joined by Alex Villanueva who is running for LA County Supervisor. Alex has a people-first initiative and understands the needs of the people in Los Angeles, such as affordable housing, accessible mental healthcare, hard-on-crime policies, and successful substance abuse treatment.  This is a packed episode you won't want to miss!

Co-host Corinne Lytle Bonine joins the podcast as we feature Jenny Vick, West Coast Offshore Wind Lead for HDR.  As an established environmental consultant, Jenny has over 18 years of environmental and project management experience preparing CEQA and NEPA documents for a wide range of marine and coastal projects, including renewable energy, substations, transmission, and ports.   Jenny discusses the exciting opportunities and challenges in developing offshore wind in the Pacific Ocean – and keeping on the cutting edge of this rapidly evolving industry.   She earned a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Master's degree in Marine Biology from James Cook University in Australia.   Join us as we learn about Jenny's approach to mentorship and carving your professional pathway. Thanks for listening, we hope you enjoy!