Prop. 45 seeks to rewrite state environmental law. Here’s why San Diegans should care

Proponents and opponents of the ballot proposition that would rewrite the state’s environmental law to expedite the review of so-called essential housing and infrastructure projects agree on one thing: The future of California is on the line.

The existential nature of Proposition 45, the camps say, is either a rare opportunity to make blanket reforms to a law that has hamstrung development and made life in California unaffordable, or it’s a snake-in-the-grass attempt to unravel the state’s primary way of protecting people from disastrous environmental consequences.

Placed on the November ballot by the California Chamber of Commerce, Proposition 45 seeks to amend the California Environmental Quality Act with new procedures for the environmental review of projects defined as essential.

The state law, enacted in 1970, requires public agencies to study and disclose the environmental impacts of projects before approval. The proposition, if approved by voters, would allow project applicants to opt into a revised CEQA process that includes tighter, enforceable timelines for permitting and review periods, shorter windows for public input and changes to how courts consider legal challenges.