PRESS RELEASE
Three Key Facts About Prop 45 The CalChamber Doesn't Want Voters To Know
The special interests behind Prop 45 – including oil and gas companies, utilities, and data center developers – are dead-set on dismantling California’s existing protections for our air, water, and health and leaving taxpayers stuck with cleanup bills. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates Prop 45 could cost taxpayers more than $100 million per year. Here’s the truth about what this dangerous measure would mean for our state.
Fact #1: Prop 45 leaves California vulnerable to Trump’s environmental protection rollbacks
As federal rollbacks threaten California’s air, water and environment, our state environmental laws are our shield, ensuring communities have a voice, decisions are made transparently, and companies are held accountable for the polluting projects they build.
Prop 45 would limit public oversight and reduce the ability of cities and counties to identify measures needed to protect communities or address a project’s harmful impacts.
Prop 45 permanently changes California law so if there is a conflict between Prop 45 and other laws that protect our clean air, clean water, and coastlines, Prop 45 prevails.
Fact #2: Developers will be able to use Prop 45 to fast-track the construction of data centers
Data center developers are financially supporting the Yes on Prop 45 campaign.
Prop 45 explicitly excludes many other project types – including high-speed rail, detention centers and the Delta tunnels – but data centers are a glaring omission from the measure’s list of exclusions.
Prop 45 applies to any project “incidental to” and that “enable[s] the operation of” broadband internet. Many types of data centers are likely covered by the measure.
Fact #3: Prop 45 will severely limit public oversight and community input of project review
Prop 45 would give all Californians less of an opportunity to learn about and weigh in on major projects that impact them.
Prop 45 completely dismantles existing protections for our air, water and health. A measure to reduce delays would have been 3 pages long. This measure’s 41 pages are packed with dangerous provisions.
Prop 45 would limit judges’ power to ensure projects go through appropriate environmental review to protect our air, water, and public health. Without effective judicial oversight, California’s strongest environmental law would be nearly unenforceable.
The measure weakens environmental requirements for every type of project it covers and includes no provisions to keep communities safe.
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