California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

California Energy Commission Files CEQA Notice of Exemption for Propane-Based Ultra-Low GWP Heat Pump Demonstration

The California Energy Commission has exempted a pilot project for propane-based, ultra-low GWP heat pumps from environmental review, accelerating field testing in residential buildings. This signals California's intent to transition residential HVAC toward natural refrigerants, potentially influencing future building codes and phase-outs of traditional fluorinated gases.

29 Mar 2026, 18:34ceqanet.lci.ca.govUnited States

California Approves TMDLs for Organophosphate Pesticides and Toxicity in Lower Salinas River Watershed

California finalized water quality limits (TMDLs) for chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion in the Lower Salinas River watershed, effective February 2026. Impacted agricultural and municipal operators must align discharge practices with stricter load allocations, reflecting intensified regulatory scrutiny of organophosphate pesticides in California.

28 Mar 2026, 20:29waterboards.ca.govUnited States

California DPR Proposes Pesticide Registration Amendment for Exirel (Cyantraniliprole) — AME-2502412

California proposes expanding the authorized uses of cyantraniliprole-based insecticide Exirel to include papaya, greenhouse lettuce, and various herbs and spices. This expansion offers broader market access for the product, requiring stakeholders to monitor final approval for updated labeling and application compliance.

28 Mar 2026, 16:23apps.cdpr.ca.govUnited States

California AB 2630 Proposes Extending Emergency, CEQA-Exempt Water Measurement Rulemaking To 2032

California’s AB 2630 proposes extending the State Water Resources Control Board’s authority to adopt water measurement regulations via expedited, CEQA-exempt emergency processes until 2032. This procedural shift signals a move toward faster implementation of water reporting obligations, requiring water right holders to prepare for rapid regulatory updates without traditional environmental review delays.

28 Mar 2026, 09:01leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

California: Vacaville Files CEQA Exemption For Battery Energy Storage Systems Ordinance

The City of Vacaville has implemented a new ordinance establishing citywide standards and permitting procedures for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) as of March 2026. This move standardizes local siting and fire-safety requirements, signaling increased municipal scrutiny and the need for project-specific compliance with evolving safety and design codes.

27 Mar 2026, 20:32ceqanet.lci.ca.govUnited States

California State Water Board Approves 1,2,3‑TCP Treatment Plant and Well Reactivation for Chino Hills Water Supply Permit Amendment

California approved a water supply permit amendment for Chino Hills on March 25, 2026, authorizing new 1,2,3-TCP treatment facilities and groundwater well reactivation. This underscores the state's rigorous enforcement of drinking water standards for chlorinated solvents, necessitating continued infrastructure investment for contaminated site remediation.

27 Mar 2026, 07:57ceqanet.lci.ca.govUnited States

California AB 2231 Proposes CEQA Exemption for Hospital Projects in Emeryville and Santa Clara

California AB 2231, amended in March 2026, proposes exempting specific hospital projects in Emeryville and Santa Clara from CEQA environmental review requirements. This targeted permitting reform aims to accelerate critical healthcare infrastructure development by trading environmental review for strict labor and wage standards.

27 Mar 2026, 07:55leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

California DPR Proposes Denial of Dynatrap (Transfluthrin) — PRO-2402340

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) has proposed to deny the registration of a transfluthrin-based mosquito repellent trap due to insufficient data or potential adverse environmental impacts. This action highlights California's rigorous data requirements for pesticide registration and signals potential market access barriers for products failing to meet specific environmental safety or efficacy standards.

26 Mar 2026, 19:32apps.cdpr.ca.govUnited States

California AB 2606 Proposes Subsurface Low-Carbon Demonstration Projects and CSU Bakersfield Research Partnerships

California AB 2606 proposes to prioritize state permitting for low-carbon subsurface projects, including carbon capture, hydrogen, and critical mineral extraction. Operators in the energy and carbon management sectors may benefit from accelerated approvals and state-backed research partnerships to scale transition technologies.

26 Mar 2026, 19:17leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

California Parks Agency Issues CEQA Determination for Chevron Carpinteria Facility Decommissioning and Remediation

California authorities have approved the decommissioning and remediation plan for the Chevron Carpinteria facility, mandating soil cleanup to stringent Tier 1 residential standards. This decision reinforces the high regulatory bar for site closure in California, requiring operators to manage complex multi-agency remediation standards and long-term environmental mitigation.

26 Mar 2026, 19:08ceqanet.lci.ca.govUnited States

California Water Board Issues Draft Decision and Draft Water Right Permit for Sites Reservoir Project

California's Water Board released a draft decision and water right permit for the Sites Reservoir Project, opening a public comment period through May 22, 2026. This development advances a major state water storage initiative, establishing the preliminary conditions for water allocation and long-term resource management in the region.

25 Mar 2026, 21:31links-2.govdelivery.comUnited States

California's San Joaquin Valley APCD Extends Rule 4905 Emission-Fee Compliance Option for Manufactured Homes to 2030

California’s San Joaquin Valley APCD has extended the emission-fee compliance pathway for natural gas furnaces in manufactured homes through September 30, 2030. This five-year extension provides critical regulatory flexibility for manufacturers, allowing continued market access via fee payments while technical transitions to lower-emission standards proceed.

22 Mar 2026, 13:39ceqanet.lci.ca.govUnited States

California Energy Commission Launches Ultra-Low GWP Heat Pump Research Project

The California Energy Commission has launched a research project to evaluate residential heat pumps using ultra-low GWP refrigerants, filing a CEQA exemption in March 2026. This initiative signals a clear policy direction toward phasing out high-GWP refrigerants in HVAC systems, requiring manufacturers to prepare for future shifts in equipment standards and grid-integration requirements.

20 Mar 2026, 16:42ceqanet.lci.ca.govUnited States

San Bernardino County Adopts Recycled Water Ordinance For CSA 70 GH (Glen Helen)

San Bernardino County adopted a new ordinance in March 2026 establishing administrative and permitting requirements for recycled water use in the Glen Helen area. Industrial and construction firms must align with these local compliance standards to secure non-potable water access, reflecting a broader shift toward regulated circular water management.

19 Mar 2026, 19:25ceqanet.lci.ca.govUnited States

California DTSC Issues Emergency Hazardous-Waste Permit For CSU East Bay Hayward Campus

California DTSC issued an emergency permit in March 2026 for the on-site stabilization of reactive and shock-sensitive hazardous waste to prevent imminent explosion risks. This underscores the operational risks of poor inventory control for peroxide-forming chemicals and the regulatory requirement for specialized emergency permits to mitigate imminent explosion hazards.

19 Mar 2026, 19:24ceqanet.lci.ca.govUnited States

California DTSC Issues Emergency Permit for Hazardous Waste at CSU East Bay Concord Campus

California's DTSC issued an emergency permit for the on-site stabilization of shock-sensitive hazardous waste at CSU East Bay, effective through May 19, 2026. This action underscores the strict regulatory oversight and specialized contractor requirements for managing reactive chemical stockpiles to mitigate immediate fire and explosion risks.

19 Mar 2026, 19:24ceqanet.lci.ca.govUnited States

California DPR Starts Evaluation Of API-BIOXAL RTU For Bee Varroa Mite Control

California has commenced the formal evaluation of API-BIOXAL RTU, a new oxalic acid-based treatment for varroa mite control in honeybees. Successful registration will grant market access for this insecticide, necessitating future adherence to California-specific labeling, stewardship, and distribution requirements.

14 Mar 2026, 08:25content.govdelivery.comUnited States

California Energy Commission Approves AHAM Bathroom Exhaust Fan Testing Program as Alternative 2025 Energy Code Compliance Pathway

California has approved the AHAM bathroom exhaust fan certification program as a voluntary alternative pathway for 2025 Energy Code compliance. This provides manufacturers with a streamlined, industry-standard method to verify airflow ratings, reducing administrative friction for Title 24 building standard adherence.

14 Mar 2026, 07:22ceqanet.lci.ca.govUnited States

California DTSC Issues Emergency Hazardous Waste Permit for Teledyne Scientific (Thousand Oaks)

California’s DTSC issued an emergency permit in March 2026 for the on-site stabilization of hazardous laboratory solvents to mitigate immediate explosion risks. This highlights the regulatory pathway for managing unstable chemical waste and underscores the operational need for rigorous solvent inventory controls to avoid emergency enforcement actions.

12 Mar 2026, 12:16ceqanet.lci.ca.govUnited States

California AB 2569 Would Expand CEQA Definitions and EIR Scope for Natural Hazards and Adverse Environmental Conditions

California AB 2569 proposes expanding the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to explicitly include human health risks from natural hazards and adverse environmental conditions within environmental reviews. This development would increase the complexity of Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), requiring developers to assess and mitigate risks from pre-existing site conditions to secure project approvals.

12 Mar 2026, 09:40leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States