CEQA Works Coalition Launched to Protect the California Environmental Quality Act

CEQA Works Logo

A coalition of civic, conservation, environmental justice, labor, preservation, and public health groups announced the launch of CEQA Works. The coalition is an effort to shield California’s landmark environmental law from reforms that would limit public input into land use planning, threaten public health, and weaken environmental protections. Participating organizations are committed to educating the state’s residents and legislators about the significant benefits the California Environmental Quality Act has brought to the state since it was signed into law by Governor Ronald Reagan.

CEQA Works already includes many of the state’s most prominent advocacy organizations, including conservation groups like the Planning and Conservation League, California League of Conservation Voters, Center for Biological Diversity, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Sierra Club California; labor organizations such as the California Teamsters Public Affairs Council, State Building and Construction Trades Council, and United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW); environmental health and justice groups like Communities for a Better Environment, the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment, and Physicians for Social Responsibility; and public interest groups including the League of Women Voters. It also includes dozens of smaller community-based groups from throughout the state, such as Save Mount Diablo, Sierra Watch, Friends of Northern San Jacinto Valley, and many other coalition members.

While CEQA remains under attack in many corners of the state, a recent poll conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) on behalf of CEQA Works showed that 64% of California voters oppose weakening CEQA. The CEQA Works coalition is committed to ensuring all Californians will continue to have a meaningful voice in the decisions that will impact the quality of their air, water, and communities.

Here’s how you can get involved:

  • Help expand the coalition — Direct friends and supporters to join CEQA Works
  • Submit letters to the editor and op-eds to local newspapers
  • Educate your community by including information about CEQA Works on your website, in newsletters and on social media
  • Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Tumblr — and ask your friends to do the same
  • Donate to PCL to help support our efforts to protect and strengthen the California Environmental Quality Act as part of the CEQA Works coalition

CEQA Works is producing three videos demonstrating how CEQA protects communities and the environment. The first of these videos has been released. You can watch the first one here.