California Environmental Quality Act

H Cycle Receives Article 2 Determination from CalRecycle

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Environmental issues, Supervisor, Draft, City, Senate, EIR, Methane, Hydrogen, Transport, Economic development, California Environmental Quality Act, CEQA, GHG, Renewable energy

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- H Cycle, an innovator in renewable hydrogen production, announced today that the company received an SB 1383 Article 2 Determination from CalRecycle. The Article 2 Determination recognizes that H Cycle's technology constitutes an increase in landfill diversion of post-recycle organic waste and a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Key Points: 
  • WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- H Cycle , an innovator in renewable hydrogen production, announced today that the company received an SB 1383 Article 2 Determination from CalRecycle .
  • The Article 2 Determination recognizes that H Cycle's technology constitutes an increase in landfill diversion of post-recycle organic waste and a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
  • "We are incredibly grateful for CalRecycle's thorough review of H Cycle's application and the affirmed Article 2 Determination.
  • We are confident that H Cycle's technology is a viable way to reduce landfill waste and mitigate dangerous GHG emissions," said Brandon Cowart, CEO of H Cycle.

The Sohagi Law Group's Margaret Sohagi, Nicole Gordon and R. Tyson Sohagi Recognized as 2024 Super Lawyers

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
UC, Lawyer, Thomson Reuters, City, Housing, ESA, University of California, Berkeley, Biophysical environment, NEPA, Partner, Climate change, California Environmental Quality Act, Public trust doctrine, SLG, California Endangered Species Act, CEQA, Mechanical engineering, Property management

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Environmental and land use law firm The Sohagi Law Group announced that all three of the firm's Partners, Nicole Gordon , R. Tyson Sohagi and Managing Partner Margaret Sohagi have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2024 Southern California Super Lawyers list.

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, Jan. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Environmental and land use law firm The Sohagi Law Group announced that all three of the firm's Partners, Nicole Gordon , R. Tyson Sohagi and Managing Partner Margaret Sohagi have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2024 Southern California Super Lawyers list.
  • Annually, the lawyer rating service Super Lawyers recognizes no more than five percent of attorneys in each state.
  • This honor highlights lawyers from over 70 practice areas who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievements and garnered substantial peer recognition.
  • Nicole Gordon advises public agencies on complex environmental and land use matters at the administrative, trial, and appellate levels.

Tahoe Conservation Groups File Lawsuit Against Placer County Challenging it to Prepare Required Environmental Impact Report

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Environmental issues, EPA, Keita Integrated Development Project, Safety, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, EIR, California Environmental Quality Act, Social impact assessment, Environmental impact statement, Congestion, Conservation, CEQA, Environment Conservation Group, Sierra Club, Addendum, Friends, Community, Environment, Travel, Tourism, Tunnel, Lake Tahoe, County, Placer

AUBURN, Calif., Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Friends of West Shore, TahoeCleanAir.org, and North Tahoe Preservation Alliance, ("Conservation Groups") filed a lawsuit against Placer County, CA for failing to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in approving new amendments to its Tahoe Basin Area Plan ("TBAP"). 

Key Points: 
  • The lawsuit is necessary to protect Lake Tahoe, safeguard the interests and safety of Placer County residents and nearby Tahoe communities, which rely on limited infrastructure, and to maintain environmental and safety impact transparency surrounding important code amendments that will materially change the Tahoe environment.
  • The Conservation Groups contend that Placer County has an obligation to prepare a subsequent (EIR) for the amendments to the TBAP as required by Public Resources Code section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines, section 15162(a).
  • This and more underscore the need for urgent action from Placer County."
  • Placer County has so far refused, only providing an environmental checklist.

THE SOHAGI LAW GROUP NAMED "BEST LAW FIRM" BY BEST LAWYERS

Retrieved on: 
Friday, November 3, 2023
NEPA, Housing, CEQA, Biophysical environment, National Environmental Policy Act, California Environmental Quality Act, News, Tier 1, City, U.S. News & World Report, Climate change, Property management

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Environmental and land use law firm The Sohagi Law Group announced today that it has been recognized by Best Lawyers® among the nation's elite law firms for 2024.

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, Nov. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Environmental and land use law firm The Sohagi Law Group announced today that it has been recognized by Best Lawyers® among the nation's elite law firms for 2024.
  • "Rankings by Best Law Firms® are some of the most trusted nationwide classifications available for law firms," states the publisher.
  • "Firms awarded in Best Law Firms are identified for their professional excellence with consistently positive feedback from clients and peers.
  • For 2024, The Sohagi Law Group is nationally ranked "Tier 1" in land use and zoning law categories.

Milestone Unlocked: Renewable America's Ferro Ranch Project Paves the Way for Local Solar Success with CCAs

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Workforce, MCE, Electricity, CEQA, Williamson Act, RNA, Sunwest Bank Charley Pride Senior Golf Classic, Sale, Kilowatt-hour, California Environmental Quality Act, Change Is Now: Renewing America's Promise, Computer Age Management Services, Community Choice Aggregation, CO2, Renewable energy

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Renewable America (RNA), a leading provider of local small utility-scale solar+storage and multi-customer community microgrids projects in California, today announced the achievement of mechanical completion for its project located in the Petaluma area of Marin County, CA. The deal is financed with Sunwest Bank through a sale leaseback structure, allowing RNA to maintain the project through its entire lifecycle. The solar site will become part of MCE's service area portfolio and produce an estimated 2,300 megawatt hours (MWh) per year - powering up to 300 homes and saving roughly 19,000 tons of CO2 emissions throughout the project's lifetime.

Key Points: 
  • The deal is financed with Sunwest Bank through a sale leaseback structure, allowing RNA to maintain the project through its entire lifecycle.
  • California is striving to secure 90% of its electricity from renewable and zero-carbon energy by 2035.
  • RNA's commitment to the clean energy transition is demonstrated through its solar and storage projects, optimized to enhance grid resiliency.
  • Specifically, the site will occupy only 3.6% of the parcel's total acreage and retain the natural state of the remainder.

Aemetis Receives Key Permit for 90 Million Gallon per Year Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Renewable Diesel Plant in California

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
California Environmental Quality Act, Travel, Army, Special-use permit, Closure, Aviation, CEQA, Municipal council, Carbon, Climate change, Base Realignment and Closure, Engineering, Council, Natural gas, Government, Transport, Greenhouse, Gasoline, Renewable energy, United States Army, City

CUPERTINO, CA, Sept. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire – Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX), a renewable natural gas and renewable fuels company focused on negative carbon intensity products, received a Use Permit from the City of Riverbank to build a 90 million gallon per year sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel plant at the 125-acre Riverbank Industrial Complex in Riverbank, California. 

Key Points: 
  • The City of Riverbank is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for Aemetis’ SAF/RD plant.
  • “Aemetis continues to complete major milestones in our Five-Year Plan,” said Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis.
  • Renewable diesel used in transportation reduces particulate emissions by more than 90% compared to petroleum diesel and creates demand for agricultural feedstocks and waste byproducts to supply renewable fuel production facilities.
  • Sustainable aviation fuel produced from waste feedstocks reduces carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to petroleum jet fuel, directly reducing the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

FOUR SOHAGI LAW GROUP ATTORNEYS NAMED "BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA"

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
California Environmental Quality Act, Housing, Lawyer, Climate change, Research, Comprehensive planning, Public sector, Eir, Asian literature, Biophysical environment, City, Steven Naifeh, Construction, Property management, CEQA

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Environmental and land use law firm The Sohagi Law Group announced today that Best Lawyers has recognized Managing Partner Margaret Sohagi in the 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America, and Associates Mark Desrosiers , Matthew Wang and Milja Miric in the fourth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America .

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Environmental and land use law firm The Sohagi Law Group announced today that Best Lawyers has recognized Managing Partner Margaret Sohagi in the 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America, and Associates Mark Desrosiers , Matthew Wang and Milja Miric in the fourth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America .
  • We leave no stone unturned, ensuring that that each stage of the Best Lawyers awards cycle is thorough," states the periodical.
  • Ms. Sohagi provides constructive, practical legal advice, working directly with lead agency counsel, staff, appointed elected officials.
  • The Sohagi Law Group handles complex transactional and litigation matters for public agencies, including cities, counties, townships, state agencies, special districts, commissions and authorities.

TWO SOHAGI LAW GROUP ATTORNEYS RECOGNIZED AS TOP BUSINESS LEADERS IN CALIFORNIA

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
California Environmental Quality Act, Community Impact Newspaper, National Environmental Policy Act, ESA, California Endangered Species Act, CEQA, Woman, Winifred Burks-Houck Professional Leadership Awards, Climate change, Biophysical environment, City, NEPA, Los Angeles Business Journal, Nursing

LOS ANGELES, July 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Environmental and land use law firm The Sohagi Law Group announced today that Managing Partner Margaret Sohagi and Partner Nicole Hoeksma Gordon have been selected as nominees for the Los Angeles Business Journal's " Women's Leadership Awards ."

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, July 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Environmental and land use law firm The Sohagi Law Group announced today that Managing Partner Margaret Sohagi and Partner Nicole Hoeksma Gordon have been selected as nominees for the Los Angeles Business Journal's " Women's Leadership Awards ."
  • The 2023 Women's Leadership Awards honors the accomplished and impactful women business leaders in the Los Angeles community.
  • Margaret Sohagi has been selected as a nominee for the "Community Impact Advocate" award, honoring leaders who have made significant contributions to the community.
  • The Sohagi Law Group handles complex transactional and litigation matters for public agencies, including cities, counties, townships, state agencies, special districts, commissions and authorities.

CEQA Lawsuits Remain a Roadblock to Housing in California, Holland & Knight Study Finds

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Jurisprudence, Rule, Holland & Knight, CEQA, California Environmental Quality Act, SAN, Climate, Policy, Transport, Demography, Population growth, Housing

The study, "In the Name of the Environment Part III: CEQA, Housing, and the Rule of Law," examines CEQA lawsuits filed in state courts over a period of three years, between 2019-21.

Key Points: 
  • The study, "In the Name of the Environment Part III: CEQA, Housing, and the Rule of Law," examines CEQA lawsuits filed in state courts over a period of three years, between 2019-21.
  • In 2020 alone, the study found, CEQA lawsuits sought to block approximately 48,000 approved housing units statewide — just under half of the state's total housing production.
  • Overall, CEQA lawsuits filed during the study period challenged agency housing plans that allowed for more than one million new housing units.
  • This judicial outcome uncertainty has made lenders, investors, and grantors unwilling to fund projects while CEQA lawsuits remain pending.

Court Rules Valley Water Violated CEQA, Mandates Environmental Review for Pacheco Dam Project

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 22, 2023
Public Policy, Government, State, Local, Other Natural Resources, Environment, Environmental Issues, Natural Resources, Environmental Health, Diablo Range, California Environmental Quality Act, Santa Clara Valley, Coalition, Superior court, Sierra Club, CEQA, Water supply, Biodiversity, Silicon, Stop HS2, Writ, Civil engineering, Santa Clara Valley Water District

Santa Clara County Superior Court ruled on May 18th that the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water), the agency pushing for construction of the controversial new $2.9 billion Pacheco Dam project, violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by relying on inapplicable exemptions to avoid proper environmental review.

Key Points: 
  • Santa Clara County Superior Court ruled on May 18th that the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water), the agency pushing for construction of the controversial new $2.9 billion Pacheco Dam project, violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by relying on inapplicable exemptions to avoid proper environmental review.
  • The court's decision mandates that Valley Water now perform proper environmental review of the project’s impacts before proceeding further with the extensive field investigations.
  • Under CEQA, a lead agency must either conduct an environmental review or may determine that a project is exempt from review.
  • Here, Valley Water wrongly chose to forego any environmental review for the extensive geotechnical investigations associated with the new dam project.