GO-Biz webinar outlines CEQA resources, new exemptions and what makes a site 'shovel-ready'

SACRAMENTO — The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and the State Clearinghouse at the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation held a webinar on CEQA resources and certifications for the California Jobs First Business Ready Sites program. The session explained how communities can determine whether a parcel is "finished with CEQA" and therefore shovel-ready for business investment.

Jovia Jackson, regional engagement and development manager with GO-Biz’s regional economic development initiatives team, opened the webinar and described the Business Ready Sites program as a portfolio effort to identify fully entitled, infrastructure-ready parcels across California’s 13 economic regions to attract headquarters, R&D and advanced manufacturing projects.

Natalie, deputy director of the State Clearinghouse, led the CEQA presentation and directed participants to the office’s public resources, including a "Getting Started with CEQA" landing page, a three-hour training, a CEQA 101 primer and a deeper CEQA 202 webinar series. "We can provide technical assistance ... but can't comment on specific projects, and that applies if you send us an email," Natalie said, noting the Clearinghouse does not provide legal advice.

Natalie described CEQAnet (the Clearinghouse’s public database) as the place to search CEQA documents and notices submitted since 2019 and to see when particular exemptions have been used. "If your question is how many projects have used this, that's something you can quickly look up on your own, at CEQAnet," she said.

Key statutory and procedural takeaways included:

- CEQA guidelines: The guidelines (which expand on statutory text) have not been updated since 2018; the State Clearinghouse is working on updates to implement recent trailer bills (mentioned in the webinar as AB 130 and SB 131).

- New and notable exemptions: The webinar highlighted an expedited infill exemption created by AB 130 (cited in the presentation as Public Resources Code 21080.66), which can apply to certain infill housing projects up to 20 acres. The session also noted a recent advanced manufacturing exemption (from SB 131) that, in practice, primarily requires that the site be zoned for industrial uses.

- Screening tools: GO-Biz and LCI staff pointed to SiteCheck as a preliminary screening tool (originally developed for housing projects) that layers data relevant to CEQA exemptions and environmental constraints; SiteCheck is not a substitute for project-specific environmental due diligence.

- Lead agency disputes: The State Clearinghouse can help resolve disputes when multiple public agencies might serve as the lead agency for CEQA review and can designate a lead agency where none has accepted responsibility.

- Funding and costs: Natalie said CEQA review costs are typically borne by the project applicant; agencies initiating documents (such as general plans) may cover costs internally. She noted grant programs commonly expect CEQA review to be complete before awarding funds and mentioned new state funding from the Climate Bond (Proposition 4) as a potential resource for CEQA-aligned or environmentally focused projects.

Practical guidance for Business Ready Sites submissions included providing completed environmental review information (if available), local zoning and ordinance documentation, utility access details, and any site disclosures; sale or lease price information is optional but helpful for site promotion. Jackson said GO-Biz accepts submissions from eligible entities (local governments, joint powers authorities, utility/community service districts and EDO partners) and that accounts can be requested through the regional data tool.

The webinar was recorded and will be shared with registrants; resources and links referenced during the session were posted to the chat and will accompany the recording. GO-Biz provided contact points for follow-up: businessreadysites@gobiz.ca.gov for the Business Ready Sites team, calbizgobiz@gobiz.ca.gov for CalBiz inquiries, and Natalie suggested questions about CEQA can be directed to the State Clearinghouse email she cited during the presentation.