Bill > SB1097

This bill exempts certain projects related to existing electrical transmission infrastructure from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which normally requires environmental impact reports (EIRs) for projects that could significantly affect the environment. Specifically, it exempts the inspection, maintenance, repair, restoration, reconditioning, reconductoring (replacing wires with advanced ones), replacement, or removal of existing transmission wires or attached equipment, provided these projects are undertaken within existing rights-of-way and, if on a "sensitive site" (like state parks, wilderness areas, or habitats for protected species), do not increase the transmission line's footprint by more than 10%. For projects in national parks, monuments, wilderness areas, or recreation areas, the existing right-of-way must have had a prior environmental review, and the footprint increase limit also applies. If a project is on private land within these areas, the applicant must get permission from property owners and agree to restore the land. The bill also establishes a modified approval process for new projects like solar or wind power plants, energy storage systems, or certain overhead transmission lines, requiring lead agencies to find it "more likely than not" that a project will have a significant environmental effect before an EIR is mandatory, and it shortens the timeline for resolving legal challenges to project approvals.