California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: undergrounding powerlines.

CA SB252 aimed to exempt certain projects related to undergrounding powerlines from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements. This would potentially streamline the process for local governments and utility companies to bury powerlines, which can help reduce wildfire risks and improve safety. The bill ultimately did not pass in the legislature.

Supporters of CA SB252 would argue that the bill was a necessary step towards enhancing public safety and protecting the environment by reducing the risks associated with above-ground powerlines. They would emphasize that the exemption would facilitate quicker and more efficient infrastructure improvements, ultimately benefiting communities vulnerable to wildfires.

Critics of CA SB252 might contend that exempting undergrounding projects from CEQA could undermine important environmental protections and public input. They could argue that rushing such projects without thorough environmental reviews could lead to unintended consequences, harming local ecosystems and communities in the long run.