California’s environmental protections are one of the biggest hurdles you’ll likely have when preparing for your development projects. Once you’ve broken ground, you’re usually in good shape, but an unwelcome visitor can stop everything. When an endangered species...
Environmental Law
Will CEQA Be a Barrier to Cannabis Businesses?
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is a special piece of state-specific legislation that helps manage the environmental impact of commercial projects. However, it is often used as a delaying tactic for some projects, which may soon be a problem for...
California’s Environmental Goals May Jeopardize Trucking
Last Wednesday the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced extensive plans to dramatically reduce the state's reliance upon fossil fuels to reach carbon neutrality by the year 2045. CARB's 2022 Scoping Plan outlines what is arguably the most ambitious agenda...
What the New PFAS Laws Mean for California Businesses
Last week Governor Newsom signed into law three new per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) bills that will affect businesses not just in California but across the globe. Pressure from public health and environmental groups has already resulted in similar bans in...
Top Four Criticisms of CEQA
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is a highly divisive piece of legislation. While it is an important law with the noble purpose of accounting for and evaluating environmental impacts, it forces builders to produce detailed environmental surveys for...
Will a Recent Discovery Lead to More PFAS Lawsuits?
Recently, scientists have linked per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to an increase in liver disease. While scientists linked exposure to PFAS chemicals with a host of other health problems of concern, this report means that even more illnesses can potentially...
What Does it Take to Maintain Compliance under CEQA?
The California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") is a fundamental law that guides property development across California. Maintaining compliance with CEQA is a vital necessity for businesses throughout the state, as non-compliance can lead to significant obstacles...
Pesticide Concerns for Cannabis Growers
As commercial cannabis operations become more common throughout California, growers increasingly face daunting legal risks from the use of certain pesticides. In every agricultural enterprise, pesticides are a significant aid. But some carry a threat to the health of...
Will the Huntington Beach Oil Spill Lead to New Regulations?
The oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach has restarted many conversations around the oil and gas industry. Some are calling for an even greater emphasis on pumping restrictions and punishing oil companies as a response to this tragic event. How Bad Is the...
Four Takeaways from a Case Involving Contaminated Drinking Water
Environmental matters can quickly become headline news, particularly when there are concerns regarding conditions that create health hazards for citizens. In recent years, cases involving contaminated drinking water have attracted considerable attention. For instance,...