Reso. No. _____
RESOLUTION NO. ______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND IN SUPPORT OF SB 954, A LEGISLATIVE CLEAN -UP BILL THAT WOULD
MAKE CHANGES TO THE RECENTLY ADOPTED CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) EXEMPTIONS, INCLUDING
EXTENDING SPECIFYING LABOR STANDARDS FOR CERTAIN EXEMPT
PROJECTS, EXPANDING THE DAYCARE CEQA EXEMPTION TO NEW
DAYCARE CENTERS IN RESIDENTIALLY ZONED LOCATIONS, CREATING
CONSTRAINTS TO AND SPECIFICITY FOR THE CEQA EXEMPTION FOR “ADVANCED MANUFACTURING” TO PROTECT COM MUNITIES FROM
INCREASES IN TOXIC POLLUTION, AND ENSURING THAT HABITAT FOR
PROTECTED SPECIES DOES NOT REMAIN AN ALLOWABLE FULL
EXEMPTION ELEMENT.
WHEREAS, in 2025 the California State Legislature adopted a trailer bill that was signed into law, which creates new and expanded exemptions from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)—including an exemption for so-called “advanced manufacturing,” and
WHEREAS, at the time of the passage of the bill in 2025, many advocates and elected officials raised concerns about insufficient protections for communities from exposure to toxic chemicals, pollution of air and water supplies, loss of habitat for sensitive species, damage to tribal resources, and an overly broad definition for advanced manufacturing; and
WHEREAS, constraining and significantly narrowing the advanced manufacturing pollution loophole will not interfere with or alter other reforms to speed up approvals for and construction of new infill housing; and
WHEREAS, for the purposes of exemption from CEQA review, the state currently defines “advanced manufacturing” to include, but not necessarily limited to, new or proposed expansion projects involving lithium processing, plastics processing and fabrication, chemical manufacturing, fertilizer development, metal recycling, pesticides manufacturing, and medical waste incineration; and
WHEREAS, over 30 state legislators signed a letter in 2025 urging prompt legislative action to fix the outstanding issues in the bill, yet no corrective action had been taken last year; and
WHEREAS, SB 954 would, in addition to constraining the potentially harmful and unhealthy advanced manufacturing exemption, expand the CEQA exemption for daycare facilities, extends labor standards for certain exempt projects, and ensure that projects threatening habitat for protected species undergo environmental review; and
WHEREAS, SB 954 is supported by California Federation of Labor Unions, Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) Action, Blue-Green Alliance, California Interfaith Power & Light, California Nurses Association (CNA), Center for Environmental Health, Clean Water Action, Communities for a Better Environment (CBE), The Greenlining Institute, NRDC, Save the Bay, Sierra Club California, State Building and Construction Trades Council, West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project (WOEIP), United Auto Workers (Region 6), Urban Habitat, 350 Contra Costa Action, and dozens of other environmental, environmental justice, and labor groups.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Mayor and members of the Richmond City Council express serious concerns about the potential for increases in industrial pollution due to an environmental review process that is virtually absent of transparency and lacks opportunities for required mitigation, and supports effective action to limit and reign in the recently created “advanced manufacturing” exemption in CEQA.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby supports SB 954 (Blakespear) and urges all state legislators in the East Bay and throughout California to support this bill, and Governor Newsom to sign the bill, as well as support all practicable efforts to protect East Bay and California residents from toxic contaminants and other industrial pollution in our
Reso. No. _____
communities.
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***THE CLERK’S OFFICE WILL COMPLETE THE INFORMATION BELOW****
I certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting thereof held on Mmmm dd, yyyy, by the following vote:
AYES: AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
CLERK OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND
(SEAL)
Approved:
Mayor
Approved as to form:
City Attorney
State of California }
County of Contra Costa : ss.
City of Richmond }
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of Resolution No. _____, finally passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting held on Mmmm dd, yyyy.
_______________________________________
Pamela Christian, Clerk of the City of Richmond