This opinion was contributed by Aromas resident, Jessica Wohlander, Green Foothills Policy and Advocacy Associate Manager. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. Lea este artÃculo en español aqui.
Just as our critical environmental protections are being stripped away at the federal level, data center developers, private utility companies, and corporations are following the same playbook here in California by putting Prop 45 on the ballot in November. This misleading measure will threaten our air, water, health, and environment, all so corporations can increase their profits. It’s dangerous for the state, and even more so for San Benito County. Vote No on Prop 45.
Prop 45 dismantles our bedrock environmental law, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and clears the way for a broad list of harmful projects. Data centers, freeway expansions, clear cutting forests, spraying herbicide, and more would all be covered under Prop 45. This means these projects would move forward with less public oversight, less accountability, and fewer opportunities for the communities most affected to have input or express their concerns.
The impact would be significant in San Benito County. Take the expansion of SR 25. The route originally proposed would have destroyed thousands of acres of farmland, putting well-established family farms and orchards out of business entirely. This would have hurt our farmers, eliminated jobs, harmed our economy, and threatened the agriculture heritage of the county. However, because of CEQA, the community had an opportunity to speak out about it. CEQA is the only state law that requires that the public have the opportunity to weigh in on land use decisions. The farmers expressed their concerns and offered alternatives. Now, Caltrans is considering alternative designs based on this feedback. If Prop 45 passes, though, this process could look very different. Prop 45 would severely decrease opportunities for public input. It also goes so far as to prohibit decision makers from considering alternatives presented by anyone other than the developer. This is a drastic shift from CEQA as it exists today, which requires decision makers to consider multiple alternatives. Public input was essential in this process. Limiting it, as Prop 45 would do, would have seriously altered the outcome.
Prop 45 would also have enormous consequences for our local governments. It takes away their power and hands it over to developers. It imposes deadlines so strict that Santa Clara County does not believe its staff would be able meet them. If that’s the case in Santa Clara County, just imagine the impact it would have on San Benito County’s small planning department. Plus, it would be costly. The non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates that the measure will cost local governments more than $100 million annually. Our county and city governments would need to develop entirely new processes for projects covered under Prop 45, which will require significant staff time. And, because much of the language in Prop 45 is unclear, it will likely result in expensive legal battles. While some of these costs might be covered by applicants, many will fall to local governments, and taxpayers. In addition, if corporations aren’t held accountable, as would be the case under Prop 45, we will be footing the bill for cleanup costs, higher medical expenses caused by air pollution and water contamination, and larger utility bills. If you follow the money, it’s easy to see who would benefit, though. The measure is bankrolled by data center developers and other polluting corporate interests. Some of the major funders include the California Chamber of Commerce, investor-owned utilities like SoCal Edison and PG&E, data center developers like Prologis and the California Resources Corporation, the California Building Industry Association, and other special interests.
Prop 45 does nothing for affordability, despite the misleading claims of the proponents. The word isn’t even mentioned in the text of the measure, and there are no requirements for lower utility bills, lower costs for consumers, or lower housing prices. In fact, most urban housing projects, which are better for the climate and more likely to be affordable, re already allowed to bypass environmental review entirely, thanks to a bill passed last year. Instead, Prop 45 encourages sprawling subdivisions, which destroy farmland and open space, increase greenhouse gas emissions, and increase wildfire risk. This is one of the main reasons why California Professional Firefighters, the largest statewide labor organization for fire personnel, opposes Prop 45. Plus, sprawl development costs all of us, adding to the already lengthy bill we’d be responsible for if Prop 45 passes. It increases insurance costs for everyone, and forces taxpayers to subsidize the additional roads, utilities, and police and fire services the new developments require.
We don’t have any data centers in San Benito County yet but given the way they’re popping up across the Bay Area, it seems like it will only be a matter of time before one is proposed within county borders. Communities across the state are pushing back, expressing concern about their energy and water usage, air and noise pollution, the loss of open space, and impacts to public health. Many legal experts agree that Prop 45 would nclude data centers, even though the supporters of the measure are claiming it won’t. Data center developers have given millions to the Yes on 45 campaigns, so it seems like hat they stand to benefit. If there is any uncertainty at all, we shouldn’t take the risk. Prop 5 would result in reduced environmental review and public oversight. It would make it much more difficult to even get the full picture of what the impacts to our communities and environment would be. It would weaken the ability of cities and counties to put limits on the energy and water usage of data centers, to protect ratepayers from spiking utility bills, to address noise pollution, or to direct developers to more appropriate locations. It would also severely limit the community’s voice in the decision-making process.
San Benito County voters have shown time and again how much we value our farmland, how much we care about the open spaces that make this region unique, and the importance of having a voice in the decisions that most affect us. Prop 45 is counter to all of that. Join the over 500 organizations and elected officials who are opposing it, including labor groups, housing organizations, public health organizations, teachers, nurses, and firefighters. Stand up to the wealthy corporations who are threatening our most critical public health and environmental protections so they can increase profits. Vote no on Prop 45.
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