Parts of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposals for streamlining infrastructure projects drew kickback from progressive lawmakers during an informational hearing this week.
Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan of Orinda, chair of the committee, was skeptical of the potential benefits. She pressed administration officials to route the proposals through the standard legislative process rather than fast tracking them through budget trailer bills.
But Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot said California needs to immediately show the Biden administration it can distribute federal inflation and infrastructure dollars quickly and not let more projects get mired for years in environmental reviews and litigation.
“Too often California gets dismissed or deprioritized … because of the perception that we will move too slowly to get this money to work,” he said.
Crowfoot admitted the state is not in a position to meet its clean energy targets, saying: “Simply put, it's too lengthy and difficult to get the projects done.”
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Dozens of environmental groups fought hard against any changes to the state’s outdated process for protecting endangered animals. The proposal would diminish a litigation tool that interest groups often wield to delay projects.
Groups also charged that streamlining restoration projects in the Delta allows the state to circumvent environmental reviews for the tunnel project proposal.
One of the bills would make it easier to repair conveyance canals damaged by subsidence, enabling the state to move more water during wet years. Several ag groups voiced their support.
