The Assembly Natural Resources Committee moved Mia Bonta’s AB 40 forward on a 10-vote concurrence of Senate amendments, advancing a bill that would require updated CEQA review before any new or expanded large coal terminal could get discretionary approval.
The measure, called the Community First Coal Review Act, would also require enforceable mitigation if significant air-quality impacts are found, according to the committee summary and hearing materials from the Aug. 27 hearing.
Supporters cast the bill as a response to a proposed West Oakland coal terminal and said the project would rely on outdated environmental review. Opponents argued the terminal has already been through extensive review and litigation, the committee summary said.
The hearing materials identify support from West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, Earthjustice and several local governments and environmental groups. They also identify opposition from business and shipping interests, including the California Business Roundtable, Insight Terminal Solutions, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Business Property Association and Union Pacific Railroad.
The committee summary said lawmakers focused questions on air-district permitting and the project’s review history before the bill moved out of committee. The materials do not provide a full roll call or the precise Senate amendment language.
