… More than half a century ago, when Republicans were still running the state, Reagan brought CEQA (pronounced ‘see-kwa’) into the world as a shield against unintended consequences: a project that befouled waterways or drove species toward extinction. But the law’s reach expanded through a series of court rulings until it applied to developments of all kinds, becoming a handy tool for almost anyone to challenge a proposed project by demanding more analysis and remediation. CEQA has long been a bogeyman for Republicans and developers, a symbol of regulatory excess and government dysfunction — and an expensive one at that. … This summer, Newsom and like-minded legislators did what was unthinkable just a few years ago: They scaled the law back dramatically, exempting most urban housing developments, along with daycares, manufacturing hubs and clinics. 

Other CEQA news:

• New Times San Luis Obispo (Calif.): SLO County could see more urban development after state relaxes CEQA restrictions
• The Real Deal: Blog: No, CEQA’s not “dead,” so who wins and loses with the latest exemptions?
• San Jose Inside (Calif.): Calif. Carpenters Union helped reduce red tape blocking new housing construction