Latest news with #EnvironmentalImpact
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
California lawmakers push for CEQA reforms to address housing crisis
Several California bills could lead to significant reforms of the state's environmental review law, with the goal of addressing the state's ongoing housing crisis. One of the bills, Assembly Bill 609, authored by Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), would establish a CEQA exemption for most urban housing developments. The bill is part of the Fast Track Housing Package, a collection of 20 bills that aim to expedite the approval of housing projects. The California Environmental Quality Act, enacted in 1970, requires public agencies in California to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects and avoid those impacts, if possible. However, many argue that the law has been weaponized to block new housing projects and development. 'CEQA can be an expensive and lengthy process, especially for large or complicated projects. This is true even if there is no litigation. Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report under CEQA can take a year or longer and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, or even, in some cases, more than $1 million,' a 2024 report from the bipartisan Little Hoover Commission said. Liftoff! Big Bear bald eagle chick takes to the sky The Los Angeles Times also pointed out that when CEQA threatened to stop enrollment at UC Berkeley, prevented the Sacramento Kings from building their new stadium, or prevented renovations of the state Capitol, lawmakers stepped in. With the various exemptions, critics have nicknamed the law 'Swiss cheese CEQA.' 'Right now, it takes far too long to build the housing Californians need — and that's a failure of government,' Assemblymember Wicks said in a statement. 'The Fast Track Housing package is about making our systems work better: clearer rules, faster timelines, and fewer bureaucratic hoops. It's not about cutting corners — it's about being honest that what we're doing isn't working. Gov. Gavin Newsom has also announced his support for reforms to CEQA. Still, not everyone is in favor of the proposed changes to the environmental law. Dozens of environmental and labor groups, such as the California Preservation Foundation and Livable California, are opposed to the proposed changes. Improving California's housing crisis has been a priority for Newsom since taking office. In 2018, Newsom, in a Medium post, wrote, 'As Governor, I will lead the effort to develop the 3.5 million new housing units we need by 2025 because our solutions must be as bold as the problem is.' Newsom has since revised that goal, setting a new benchmark for cities to plan for 2.5 million homes by 2030. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Irish Examiner
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Air quality monitoring to take place in two Cork towns over health concerns
Air quality monitoring is to take place in two North Cork towns amid increasing concerns traffic gridlock is having a negative impact on the health of locals. The monitoring is to be carried out in Charleville and Mallow as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment, which is being prepared by the teams designing the N/M20 Cork to Limerick road upgrade, along with relief roads planned for both towns. Councillors representing the North Cork region have welcomed the news, saying people in both towns have noticed increased traffic congestion is leading to more noticeable vehicles fumes in both towns, especially from lorries. The request for monitoring was made at a meeting of the council's Northern Division by Charleville-based Fianna Fáil councillor Ian Doyle. He said he had been asked by representatives of the local community for the assessment to be undertaken as they are worried about people's health as a result of increasing pollution from more traffic congestion. He said the increased volume of traffic coming through Charleville since covid "is unbelievable" and there are "unbelievable delays getting through it". "The worst congestion used to occur on Fridays, but it's now every day of the week from around 4pm. There is a problem with the fumes from vehicles,' Mr Doyle said. Fine Gael councillor Aileen Browne, who also lives in the town, said it could take up to 20 minutes for vehicles to get through it and idling engines were causing increased pollution, especially from the large number of HGVs passing through. 'The sheer volume of traffic passing through for the recent Cork v Limerick match was unbelievable,' she added. Fianna Fáil councillor Gearóid Murphy said in his hometown of Mallow, 'we're only too painfully aware of the volumes of vehicles and the fumes'. He said the last survey carried out there showed unacceptably high levels of pollution, and he believes the situation has got even worse because gridlock has significantly increased since then. His party colleague Pat Hayes, who runs a business in the town, added: 'We have suffered here for a long time, especially with the huge volumes of HGVs coming though Mallow's main streets.' Cork County Council director of roads and transportation Padraig Barrett said air quality studies carried out in Macroom showed a very marked improvement when its bypass was opened. He readily admitted traffic pollution 'is an issue' in both North Cork towns and needs to be looked at. Mr Barrett said the council was committed to ensuring the development and maintenance of national roads was undertaken in accordance with national and EU environmental law and it would work closely with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to ensure these obligations were met with air quality monitoring. Read More Cork Luas could get stuck in traffic, slowing journey times
National Post
16-05-2025
- Health
- National Post
Detox your domain with our chemical-free home handbook
Article content Consider exploring some do-it-yourself cleaning alternatives using simple, natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, sal suds and essential oils. DIY cleaning solutions can often be more cost-effective than ready-made products and provide excellent results while allowing you to control the ingredients you use. Article content One of the biggest chemical culprits in the cleaning world is laundry soap, which can be replaced with a mixture of castille soap, borax, sal suds, washing soda and essential oils. Surface cleaner is another easy one — just soak citrus peels in vinegar and a week later you have a potent countertop spray. A quick search online for a cleanser for your specific task will result in myriad options. Often, many recipes will use the same base ingredients, so one purchase of a few staples will cover chemical-free formulas for your whole home. Article content Get picky about packaging Article content If you're shopping for cleaning products, look for brands that offer refill options or concentrate formulas to reduce waste and minimize your environmental impact. There are even new options like natural laundry detergent sheets which are lighter to ship, smaller to store and environmentally friendly. Article content Beyond consumer goods, consider the packaging of the containers and vessels you choose to bring into your home, and opt for paper or glass materials over plastic as plastic can contain phthalates that leech into plastics and the air. One place to start making the swap from plastic to glass is with your food storage containers. These OXO rectangular containers are perfect for lunch or snacks, while these big Pyrex round containers are great for leftovers. Article content Ditching air fresheners and aerosol products, such as hairsprays, dry shampoos and deodorants, is crucial for maintaining a healthy indoor environment and improving indoor air quality. Aerosol products release tiny particles and harmful chemicals into the air, which can lead to respiratory issues and aggravate existing conditions like asthma or allergies. Purify your air Article content Bringing plants into your home can significantly improve its health and contribute to a more chemical-free environment — and make it look cute! Plants naturally filter the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis. By introducing plants into your living spaces, you can improve air quality and reduce the presence of pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene, which are commonly found in household items like furniture, carpets and cleaning products. Plus, plants contribute to a calming and stress-reducing atmosphere, promoting overall well-being. Article content In addition to plants, air purifiers can also play a vital role in creating a chemical-free cocoon. These devices use filters to trap airborne particles and pollutants, effectively removing them from the air. Seeking a purifier for your home? Look no further than the Dyson Purifier Hot and Cold (read our full review here) which works year-round to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. Article content Embrace a shoe-free policy in your home. Why? Shoes can track in dirt, dust, allergens and various contaminants from outside, spreading them throughout your home. By removing shoes at the entrance — or better yet, outside — you can help prevent pollutants from settling on your floors, carpets and furniture. This simple practice can not only maintain a cleaner living space, it'll reduce the need for constant cleaning, and ultimately improve indoor air quality. Not to mention, keeping shoes off indoors can extend the lifespan of your floors and minimize the use of cleaning chemicals.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hawaii board rejects Army's EIS for renewed lease of Pohakuloa Training Area
The state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted Friday to reject the Army's Final Environmental Impact Statement on its proposal to renew its lease on state owned land on on Hawaii island that makes up its Pohakuloa Training Area. The vote came after a day of public testimony from residents across the islands, some who showed up in person and others who spoke over a Zoom teleconference. Those who testified overwhelmingly called on the BLNR to reject the EIS, citing wide-ranging concerns about lack gaps on environmental impacts, efforts to protect Native Hawaiian traditional burial sites and other issues they had with the document—as well as with the military use of the area as a whole. The board ultimately decided that, along with several other data gaps, warranted rejecting the EIS. In the board's motion, its members also called on the Army to submit additional updated information to the board. 'I've been on the board for a little over two years. This is probably the hardest decision that I know, that I've had to make, ' said BLNR chair Dawn Chang before the vote. 'You know, it's always hard to deal in our trying to find balance. Our mission is to preserve and protect cultural and natural resources, but also recognizing that we have other competing interests, including national defense.' The ruling is a setback for the Army, but does not end its efforts to retain training land after its leases expire in 2029. In a statement released Friday evening the Department of Land and Natural Resources said, 'An EIS is intended to support informed decision-making and does not, by itself, authorize any land use. No decision has been made on the Army's long-term lease request. A separate review and determination will be required should such a request be brought before the board in the future.' Situated between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, PTA is the military's largest contiguous live-fire range and maneuver training area in the islands. The state parcel of 22, 750 acres sits between two federally owned pieces of land, collectively making up 132, 000 acres. Army officials call the leased land 'the connective tissue ' of PTA. In recent years, PTA has become central to the Army's new Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center, a series of training ranges in Hawaii and Alaska aimed at preparing soldiers for operations in the Pacific amid tensions with China. Hawaii island resident Ana Kahoopii testified to the BLNR that she lives downind of PTA, saying that 'we lost our pastoral lots during the last wildfire that was started at PTA, so we can't keep cattle on our property anymore. The largest island aquifer also lies between PTA. It's unprotected. The desecration of very own cultural sites, preparation for war with China, isn't protecting us. It's actually making us a target of retaliation.' 'The land can't be restored and destroyed, ' said Alihilani Katoa, a member of thr group Hui Aloha Aina, who spoke of how native birds were being harmed. 'The EIS also notes that 38 bird species were observed, but only five native birds were detected on state lands. This is not proof of proactive management, as the Army claims, it's a warning. A warning that we are failing to preserve our native avifauna, many of which are culturally sacred and ecologically critical.' Many of the testimonies drew upon concerns raised by agencies under the state DNLR itself, which have been critical of previous drafts of the EIS and called them incomplete. Among concerns DLNR raised were that they considered much of the data in the EIS outdated—the most recent biological survey it cited was from 2013. The Army is working on new environmental surveys expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The Army, which obtained the parcel at PTA and other lands it uses for training for a mere $1 in 1964, and has faced increasing scrutiny of the effects of training on the environment and ancient Hawaiian cultural sites. The state now considers its parcel at Pohakuloa to be a conservation district and DLNR has said that military use of the land is 'not consistent ' with that designation. The Army has argued that the state's designation of the land as a conservation district did not apply to its operations, as the military already had the lease and had been training since before the designation, essentially grandfathering it in. But the final EIS seemingly concedes that under a new lease, that would not be the case. 'U.S. Army Hawai 'i understands and deeply respects the concerns expressed by community members, cultural practitioners, and environmental advocates regarding the Army's presence and activities at Pohakuloa Training Area, ' said Lt. Col. Tim Alvarado, the officer who oversees operations at PTA. 'We recognize that past actions have caused harm and eroded trust, and we continue to seek a balance with consideration for the cultural and environmental significance of this land.' A small handful of people testified in support of approving the EIS. Matthew Chalker, a Waikoloa Village resident and self-described wildfire safety advocate said that he believed the EIS was thorough and that and argued that firefighting facilities at PTA have been critical in protecting his community and training other firefighters across the state. Riley Smith, who represents Hawaii island on the BLNR, opposed the motion to reject the EIS and argued that he believed the Army had acted in good faith to provide the best data it could. BLNR at-large member Vernon Char, who abstained from the vote, said he believed the public testimony 'was very one-sided. It was very well planned and very emotional … many of the statements made today in opposition were very sincere, But some of it, I thought, was misdirected, and maybe not really relevant to the issue of whether the EIS should be accepted as having positioned everything, subject to negotiation.' In a statement Friday night, Gov. Josh Green said, 'I respect the Board's decision and the community voices that guide it. Military members who utilize this area to train for local and national security and emergency missions are our neighbors, our children's classmates, and often our own ʻohana. While the rejection of the Final EIS presents challenges, it is not the end of the conversation. We remain committed to finding new paths that protect Hawai 'i's natural and cultural resources while supporting national security. This is a time for collaboration, not division, as we seek balanced solutions that honor both our heritage and our future.' U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono, along with U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokua released a joint statement, saying that 'from the beginning of this important process, we have encouraged the collaboration and dialogue that is required between our state, military, and community. While we acknowledge the Board of Land and Natural Resources' decision on this aspect of the issue, we believe there can be a path forward that accounts for the critical importance of Hawaii's role in our country's national security strategy and fundamentally respects and responds to the needs of the people of Hawaii. We will continue working with Governor Green, Department of Defense leadership, and community members to support and encourage continued dialogue as discussions continue toward a mutually acceptable result.'
Reuters
28-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
US regulators issue preliminary environmental support for Rio Grande LNG
HOUSTON, March 28 (Reuters) - The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a preliminary decision on Friday supporting environmental approval for NextDecade's (NEXT.O), opens new tab Rio Grande LNG project in southern Texas. In August, a Washington, D.C. Circuit court quashed the regulator's approval for the plant at the Port of Brownsville, Texas, saying it failed to issue a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on how communities will be affected and ordered it to publish one for public comment. The comment period for the draft statement ends on May 19, FERC said. NextDecade has continued constructing the plant and in 2027 is expected to expand LNG capacity that will help the U.S. remain the world's leading exporter of the superchilled gas. U.S. President Donald Trump has declared an energy emergency and laid out a sweeping plan to maximize oil and gas production.
