One of the most vexing initiatives on the November ballot is touted by supporters as a long-awaited revision of California’s 56-year-old bedrock environmental law, including changes promoted to speed housing construction and other key projects. But many opponents are concerned about the potential lasting impacts on California’s environment, as well as tighter limits on public say over proposed development, fearing the changes would serve as a “smokescreen” for industry. … CEQA is one of the state’s most consequential environmental laws, requiring close study and input on projects with potential to harm such things as human health, air and water quality, and wildlife habitat, or add to traffic, noise and greenhouse gas emissions. … Those supporting the measure say CEQA has been used to block many developments that would serve local communities, including new housing, green energy and water projects.

Other Prop. 45 news and opinions:

• The San Diego Union-Tribune: Prop. 45 seeks to rewrite state environmental law. Here’s why San Diegans should care​
• CalMatters (Sacramento, Calif.): Why are pro-housing groups split on Proposition 45?​
• The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif): Opinion: Prop. 45 will take a meat axe to California environmental protections​
• Lookout (Santa Cruz, Calif.): Opinion: California has already streamlined CEQA. Proposition 45 goes too far