California Pivots: Cutting CEQA Red Tape To Boost Housing & Climate Goals - CleanTechnica

California has enacted a significant reform to its longstanding environmental review law, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), by exempting many urban multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) from its extensive review process. This legislative change, embodied in Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130) signed in 2025, aims to accelerate infill housing development in urban areas by reducing delays, costs, and legal uncertainties that have historically hindered housing projects. The reform applies to projects on parcels under 20 acres that meet density requirements, are properly zoned, and avoid environmentally sensitive or historic sites. Some taller projects must also comply with labor provisions as part of political compromises. CEQA, originally enacted in 1970 to protect the environment and provide public accountability, has over time been criticized for being exploited to block or delay developments, including those aligned with climate and housing goals. Lawsuits often came from groups with limited environmental credentials, serving as tools for neighborhood opposition or competing interests, which impeded urban