California Voters Oppose CEQA Exemptions for Advanced Manufacturing, Citing Environmental Concerns
A recent poll conducted by FM3 Research reveals significant opposition among California voters to Senate Bill 131, which exempts advanced manufacturing facilities from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements. The bill, passed by the California Legislature, removes environmental review, public disclosure, and mitigation requirements for over 75 types of industrial operations, including those in plastics, petrochemicals, nuclear, defense, and mining. These facilities often emit toxic pollutants linked to serious health issues such as cancer and respiratory illnesses. The poll indicates that 72% of Californians support CEQA, and nearly two-thirds oppose the exemptions provided by SB 131. Furthermore, 64% of voters stated they would be less likely to support lawmakers who backed these exemptions. The opposition spans across party lines, regions, and age groups, highlighting a broad consensus against the bill. 
