Vote No on Prop 45 to Protect California’s Environment
A Green Foothills op-ed urges California voters to reject Proposition 45, arguing that it would weaken CEQA environmental review and reduce public oversight of projects including data centers. The piece highlights the STACK Trade Zone Park Data Center in San Jose and warns that the measure could limit local governments' ability to impose energy, water, pollution and public-health protections.
Green Foothills Policy and Advocacy Associate Manager Jessica Wohlander argues that Proposition 45 would substantially weaken California's environmental review law, CEQA, by allowing certain projects to move forward with reduced public oversight and limiting courts' ability to halt construction during legal challenges. The measure is presented as a threat to air and water quality, habitat, open space and local government authority, while potentially shifting implementation costs to taxpayers.
The opinion piece uses the STACK Trade Zone Park Data Center in San Jose as an example of the protections that could be at risk. It says environmental review enabled agencies to require the developer to purchase carbon-free electricity and address soil contamination, while Proposition 45 could allow developers to challenge similar conditions. Wohlander also cites concerns about data centers' energy and water use, noise, pollution and effects on utility customers, and calls on voters to join environmental, labor, public health and other organizations opposing the measure.