General Order 131-D: Circumventing CEQA

For years, Californians have been afforded the due process protections of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As imperfect as it is, CEQA has been a hurdle that many environmentally destructive projects could not clear. CEQA has been the bane of unbridled development.

CEQA would be a challenging hurdle for the Imperial Valley-North of SONGS line slated to go through the middle of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. However, General Order 131-D has set in motion the streamlining of how electrification projects are approved to meet renewable energy goals in California.  The California Energy Commission, California Independent System Operator, and the California Utility Commission are working together to publish a Phase 2 report to be reviewed and considered for this updated streamlined process. You can read more about GO 131-D here.

Ongoing Efforts and Continued Support Needed

While we successfully defeated the progress of AB 3238, the outcome of GO 131-D is critical in what comes next for electrification projects in California.  Over the coming weeks, we are partnering with organizations to file to become party to the proceedings. This will afford us the opportunity to give feedback to the proposed process, to be determined by January of 2025. We are moving swiftly to become party to the proceeding so our comments can be incorporated into a decision.

Our goal in becoming a party to the proceeding is to ensure that fair review of environmental impacts will be upheld, that unnecessary lines can be contested and that protected lands are considered and potentially avoided by offering alternative routes or other.

How you can help!

We have a small coalition doing his work, and we need your support to ensure our efforts are fruitful. As a PAC, we are able to educate and make financial contributions, allowing our education, concerns, and specific feedback to be heard. We need your financial contributions to keep the work going so we can maintain our progress and relationships.

Please consider a donation today to help protect our precious natural resources.