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[Sustain] CEQA! One Last Big Push To Win Ourselves Crucial Ability To Appeal Project Modifications - Pre Meetings & Hearings Next Wed, Thu, & Mon July 17, 18, & 22 - HPC, Planning, & Land Use
by Eric Brooks 13 Jul '13

13 Jul '13

Hi all, CRUCIAL CEQA HEARINGS IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PLANNING NEXT WED & THU (see details below) UPDATE & LAST REMAINING BIG CEQA ISSUE TO FIGHT FOR As I reported previously, our legislative team is now completing intense negotiations with Supervisor David Chiu, and Planning staff, and with the exception of one nasty holdover, we have stripped Wiener's original CEQA legislation of nearly all of it bad aspects, and at the same time, have vastly strengthened noticing requirements. The one nasty holdover of course is that CEQA appeals on projects will still be required to occur after the first approval of any project. We met such a huge wall of opposition on getting a later appeal trigger that we were forced to give on that point. HOWEVER, in return for allowing the first approval we have insisted vehemently that we must be able to challenge Environmental Review Officer approvals of modifications to projects that have already undergone that first quicker appeal window. If we don't win such a modification appeal right we will essentially have absolutely no recourse (besides lawsuits) to challenge projects that change beyond their original environmental approval. But Planning staff is fighting us on that modification appeal right - so we need to battle hard for it over the next two weeks. To that end, next Wednesday & Thursday, we will convene to hold pre hearing strategy meetings and attend the hearings. This is the last battle so please gear up and join in! Here are the meeting/hearing details. Please RSVP to confirm if you plan to attend either or both: 1) CEQA Pre Historic Preservation STRATEGY MEETING - Wednesday, July 17, 11:30am - SF City Hall Basement Cafe 2) HISTORIC PRESERVATION HEARING on CEQA MODIFICATION APPEAL - Wednesday, July 17, 12:30pm - SF City Hall, Room 400 - agenda:http://www.sf-planning.org/index.aspx?page=3533 3) CEQA Pre PLANNING COMMISSION STRATEGY MEETING - Thursday, July 18, 11am - SF City Hall Basement Cafe 2) PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING on CEQA MODIFICATION APPEAL - Thursday, July 18, 12pm - SF City Hall, Room 400 - (will post agenda this Monday) Please RSVP if you plan to attend either or all. Also set your calendars for the following week when this Modification Appeal legislation will be taken up in the Land Use Committee on Monday July 22, at 1:30pm. This is it all! This is the last big fight and then we're done! in solidarity Eric Brooks 415-756-8844

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[Sustain] Update: SF CEQA Vote Postponed To Tue, July 9 - We Are On Track To Get Almost All Of What We Demanded (As Long As We Stay Vigilant In July)
by Eric Brooks 25 Jun '13

25 Jun '13

Hi all, The CEQA procedures legislation that was up for a vote at the SF Board of Supervisors today was, as we expected, continued to July 9 for a vote. This means that we have two more weeks to nail down our compromise with Chiu, Planning and the City Attorney; and it gives us the possible ability to get the project modification appeal procedure (which is now trailing legislation designed to give us public appeal hearings on modifications before the Environmental Review Officer) to a vote closer to, or possibly on the same day as, the main legislation. And at the very least, we should now be able to nail down the exact language of that modification appeal procedures text and make sure it is locked in as per our requirements. I'll post updates on the status of the negotiations over both texts as they come in. At this point it looks like we are going to get almost all of the -basic- protections we demanded, and we have stripped out almost all of the bad provisions of Wiener's original, with the exception that the 'first approval' remains the initial appeal trigger - but this is with the firm understanding that in return for accepting the first approval trigger, that the approval itself must be clearly established and publicly noticed, and that we -must- be given the right to appeal subsequent modifications of projects to the Environmental Review Officer. All in all what we've got, if it stays in place, is definitely not perfect, but it is massively better than Wiener's original corporate giveaway monstrosity, and will give us roughly the same protections that we have now, but with a lot of very real and strong public noticing improvements. Important Note: We may still have to do one more big round of public comment and email/phone pushing to get the modification appeal procedure voted forward as it has been agreed to. And there will also be a Planning Commission hearing (and possibly a Historic Preservation hearing) on that measure, within the next month. I'll keep you all posted on next steps. REALLY excellent job, everyone! in solidarity Eric Brooks Campaign Coordinator, Our City 415-756-8844

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[Sustain] Fwd: FW: 19 June Green Action Press Release
by Don Eichelberger 20 Jun '13

20 Jun '13

Japanese NGO's ask some good questions of their Nuclear Regulatory Authority about the safety of Japan's continuing to operate reactors. -------- Original Message -------- Subject: FW: 19 June Green Action Press Release Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:05:01 +0000 From: Mary Olson <maryo(a)nirs.org> To: nirs(a)sanonofre.com <nirs(a)sanonofre.com> I am sure some of you are on the list from Aileen, but I thought I would pass on this item since it is the attention of NGO's after the permanent shut-down of a site on the remaining operating site. CA situation is not identical (thank goodness) but it is parallel. Mary Mary Olson maryo(a)nirs.org NIRS Southeast 828-252-8409 / cell 828-242-5621 -----Original Message----- From: Aileen Mioko Smith [mailto:amsmith@gol.com] Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 2:53 AM To: Aileen Mioko Smith Subject: 19 June Green Action Press Release To fellow colleagues from Aileen Mioko Smith (Green Action, Japan): For immediate release: 19 June 2013 Japan’s Two Operating Reactors won’t meet New Post-Fukushima Standards Will the Nuclear Regulation Authority Still Allow Them to Operate? Attached is the URL of the press release: http://greenaction-japan.org/internal/130619_GA_release.pdf **Notification of a meeting with the government on this issue taking place in Tokyo on Friday, 21 June is at the bottom of this email. Text of press release: Kyoto, Japan----The Nuclear Regulation Authority today approved new post-Fukushima regulatory standards. The standards will now be sent to the Cabinet for approval. They are scheduled to take effect on 8 July. Will the NRA ignore compliance with its new standards from day one by allowing the two currently operating nuclear reactors in Japan, Ohi Units 3 and 4 to continue to operate, thus setting the precedent for further non-compliance? At issue is whether Japan has learned the lessons of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident and whether Japan’s nuclear power will really be “the safest in the world” as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe claims. Japanese NGOs yesterday sent questions to the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) through a House of Councillors Diet member demanding answers on whether the NRA intends to comply with its own new regulatory standards. The questions are to be answered by the Nuclear Regulatory Agency on Friday, 21 June. (See below for English translation of the questions and time/location of the meeting.) The final results of the review on Ohi Units 3 and 4 concerning whether or not these two operating reactors will be allowed to operate after the new regulatory standards take effect will probably be announced at the weekly NRA meeting on Wednesday, 26 June. It has been reported that the NRA will approve the reactors’ continued operation until their scheduled outage in September. ---- Questions Concerning Compliance of Ohi Units 3 and 4 to New Regulatory Standards The following questions were submitted on 18 June to the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) via the Mizuho Fukushima Diet office by four NGOs. To the Nuclear Regulation Authority: 1. Concerning the conference room located at Units 1 and 2 which is to serve as the earthquake-resistant control room for Ohi Units 3 and 4 The earthquake-resistant control room for Ohi Units 3 and 4 (maximum capacity 1000 persons) to be located on the south side of the intake outlet of the Ohi nuclear power plant site will only become operational in the autumn of 2015. In the meantime, Kansai Electric states that it will use a conference room located at the Unit 1 and 2 site. （１） The conference room at the Unit 1 and 2 site which is to serve as the center for emergency operations in the event of a serious earthquake is located right next to Units 3 and 4. Isn’t this too close to be functional? Is it not correct that the earthquake-resistant control room should be located at some distance from the reactors? （２） The conference room is approximately 105 square meters with capacity for 38 persons. The sole equipment to monitor the state of the Unit 3 and 4 reactors and other equipment under an emergency is one personal computer. Is this sufficient for full emergency response? （３） The earthquake-resistant control room facility is to be completed around the autumn of 2015. Without such a facility in place, Ohi Units 3 and 4 do not meet the requirement under the new regulatory standard. Is that correct? 2. Concerning the Date of Sea-Wall (Tsunami Breakwater) Completion at Ohi Nuclear Power Plant Site The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has stated that completion of a sea-wall (tsunami breakwater) is a prerequisite for applying to restart nuclear power plants. The breakwater for the Ohi site is not scheduled for completion until March 2014. This means the Ohi plant site does not meet the requirement to apply for restart under the new regulatory standard. Is that correct? 3. Concerning the Investigation of the Shattered Zone (Earthquake Fault) Under the Ohi Nuclear Power Plant The Nuclear Regulation Authority( NRA) states that nuclear power plant sites currently undergoing investigation of their shattered zones (earthquake faults) are required to have their investigation completed (conclusion reached) before they can apply for permission to restart. The Ohi F-6 shattered zone (earthquake fault) on-site investigation is still on-going and experts undertaking the investigation have not reached a conclusion. Because of this, is it correct that Ohi does not meet the new safety regulation? 4. Concerning Vent with Filter The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) states that for PWR’s, completion of a vent with filter is a prerequisite for applying for restarts. The vent with filter at the Ohi plant will be completed in March of 2016. Because of this, Ohi does not meet the new regulatory standards. Is that correct? 5. Concerning Basic Earthquake Ground Motion The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has sought that Kansai Electric “establish a earthquake motion based on 3 earthquake faults interacting.” However, Kansai Electric continues to use as reference the basic earthquake ground motion based on 2 earthquake faults interacting and stated a 3-earthquake fault analysis was only “just in case.” The utility came out with a new (self-created) category called “earthquake ground motion for the purpose of the review.” Since Kansai Electric refuses to meet the demand of the Nuclear Regulation Authority to establish a basic earthquake ground motion based on a 3-earthquake fault interaction, this means it does not meet the new regulatory standards. Is that correct? 6. The Ohi Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 & 4 do not meet the new regulatory standards, the NRA should therefore require them to be shut down It cannot be said that the Ohi nuclear power plant meets the new regulatory standards when it does not even meet the demands made by the NRA as indicated above. Because of this, should not the NRA demand that the Ohi Nuclear Power Plant site immediately cease operations? ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ The above questions were submitted by: Green Action Mihama-no-Kai Lawsuit Group to Shut Down the Ohi Nuclear Power Plant The Nuclear Regulation Authority Citizen Watchdog For Japanese original of questions see: http://greenaction-japan.org/internal/130618_question.pdf ---- Meeting With the Nuclear Regulatory Agency Concerning the Ohi Nuclear Power Plant’s New Regulatory Standards Compliance (The meeting will be held in Japanese.) “The Ohi Nuclear Power Plant Site does not Meet New Regulatory Standards. Shut It Down Now!” Date: Friday, 21 June Time: 16:15~17:45 (pre-meeting of citizens begins at 15:45. Media welcome. Room opens at 15:30.) Place: House of Councillors Diet Office Building Room B103 Passes will be issued in the lobby of the House of Councillors Office Building starting at 15:20 Contact: Aileen Mioko Smith Tel: +81-90-3620-9251 Fee: 500 yen (to help support citizens travelling from other areas of Japan.) Meeting organized by Green Action, Mihama-no-Kai, Lawsuit Group to Shut Down the Ohi Nuclear Power Plant, and, The Nuclear Regulation Authority Citizen Watchdog ------------------ Aileen Mioko Smith Executive Director Green Action Suite 103, 22-75 Tanaka Sekiden-cho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8203 Japan Tel: +81-75-701-7223 Fax: +81-75-702-1952 Cell:+81-90-3620-9251 email: amsmith(a)gol.com URL: http://www.greenaction-japan.org/ http://fukushima.greenaction-japan.org/

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[Sustain] Fwd: Re: San Onofre Closure media coverage
by Don Eichelberger 11 Jun '13

11 Jun '13

I didn't see any San Francisco papers on this list of articles about the permanent shutdown of the San Onofre nuke, and I saw nothing on TV, so I'm breaking the media blockade here. Another nuke bites the dust! Celebrate! Don -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: San Onofre Closure media coverage Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2013 09:08:13 -0700 From: ben davis <bendavis54(a)gmail.com> To: Roger Herried <rogerh(a)energy-net.org> CC: Summit Group NIRS SONGS <nirs(a)sanonofre.com>, radBULL(a)energy-net.org, "No-New-Nukes-Yall(a)yahoogroups.com" <No-New-Nukes-Yall(a)yahoogroups.com>, nukenet(a)energyjustice.net, downwinders(a)yahoogroups.com Roger, Maybe I've missed it but I don't see this link in your list (http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-onofre-shutdown-20130607,0,…) It was sent to me by a reporter and has a poll in it. Thanks, Ben On Fri, Jun 7, 2013 at 11:27 PM, Roger Herried <rogerh(a)energy-net.org <mailto:rogerh@energy-net.org>> wrote: My goodness! Here's a list of all the media stories on San Onofre's closure! * */Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)/* - Feinstein Statement on Closure of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station <http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=405c7398…> * */Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA)/* - Markey Hails San Onofre Closure As Win for Safety, Oversight <http://markey.house.gov/press-release/markey-hails-san-onofre-closure-win-s…> * */AFP Google/* - Glitch-hit US nuclear plant shut down for good <http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jv5SCwHtLVDd64P60pwx3VPH…> * */AP/* - Calif. Utility will close Troubled Nuclear Plant <http://bigstory.ap.org/article/calif-utility-says-it-will-retire-nuclear-pl…> - Michael R. Blood * */BBC News/* - San Onofre California nuclear plant to shut <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22820708> * */Bloomberg/* - Edison Faces Regulatory Battle Over San Onofre Shutdown Cost <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-07/edison-plans-to-permanently-close-…> - Mark Chediak &Amp; Jim Polson * */Capistrano Dispatch/* - SONGS to Shut Down <http://www.thecapistranodispatch.com/2013/06/07/southern-california-edison-…> - Andrea Swayne And Jim Shilander * */CounterPunch/* - San Onofre is Dead, the Nuclear Waste Isn't <http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/06/07/san-onofre-is-dead-the-nuclear-waste…> - Ace Hoffman * */Edison International/* - Southern California Edison Announces Plans to Retire San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station <https://www.edison.com/pressroom/pr.asp?id=8143> * */Edison International/* - Southern California Edison to Hold Conference Call On San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station <https://www.edison.com/pressroom/pr.asp?bu=&year=0&id=8144> * */Enformable/* - San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant shutdown in wake of ASLB decision <http://enformable.com/2013/06/san-onofre-nuclear-power-plant-shutdown-in-wa…> - Lucas W Hixson * */ENS/* - California's Damaged San Onofre Nuclear Plant to Be Retired <http://ens-newswire.com/2013/06/07/californias-damaged-san-onofre-nuclear-p…> * */FOE/* - Victory: Edison closes San Onofre for good (updated with press conference) <http://www.foe.org/news/news-releases/2013-06-victory-edison-closes-san-ono…> * */Lompoc Record/* - San Onofre: Gov. says energy plan in the works <http://www.lompocrecord.com/news/state-and-regional/san-onofre-gov-says-ene…> * */Los Angeles Times/* - San Onofre nuclear plant closure tied to finances <http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-onofre-edison-20130607,0,32…> - Abby Sewell * */Los Angeles Times/* - San Onofre neighbors no longer felt safe, welcome closure <http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-onofre-neighbors-20130607,0…> - Anh Do * */National Review/* - Another Blow to Our Nuclear-Powered Future <http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/350507/another-blow-our-nuclear-powere…> - Ian Tuttle * */NBC Los Angeles/* - Socal Edison Retiring San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station <http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/San-Onofre-Nuclear-Plant-Closing-Re…> - R. Stickney * */New York Times/* - The End Comes for a Troubled California Nuclear Plant <http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/the-end-of-the-road-for-a-trou…> - Andrew C. Revkin * */NRDC blog/* - NRDC Welcomes Southern California Edison's Decision to Retire the San Onofre Nuclear Plant <http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/mmckinzie/today_the_california_utility_c.…> - Matthew Mckinzie * */NukeFree.org/* - San Onofre is Dead & So is Nuclear Power <http://www.nukefree.org/editorsblog/san-onofre-dead-so-nuclear-power> - Harvey Wasserman * */OC Weekly blog/* - San Onofre Nuke Plant Officials Say They Did Nothing Wrong--OH REALLY? <http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2013/06/san_onofre_nuke_plant_officia…> - Nick Schou * */Platts/* - SoCal Ed to retire San Onofre nuclear units, blames NRC delays <http://www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews/RSSFeed/ElectricPower/21133490> - William Freebairn * */Power Engineering/* - Both nuclear units at SONGS to be retired <http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2013/06/both-nuclear-units-at-songs-to-be…> * */Reuters/* - UPDATE 4-California's San Onofre nuclear plant to close for good <http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/07/utilities-edisoninternational-san…> - Scott Disavino * */Salon/* - Environmentalists celebrate nuclear plant closing <http://www.salon.com/2013/06/07/environmentalists_celebrate_nuclear_plant_c…> - Gillian Flaccus And Amy Taxin * */SanClemente.Patch/* - San Onofre Plant Closing a 'Seismic Event in the Nuclear Industry' <http://sanclemente.patch.com/groups/business-news/p/san-onofre-plant-closin…> - Adam Townsend * */SanClemente.Patch/* - Major Political, Other Leaders React to Nuke Plant's Closure <http://sanclemente.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/leaders-react-…> - Penny Arévalo * */San Diego Union-Tribune/* - Timeline of San Onofre plant's operations <http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jun/07/history-san-onofre-power-plant-t…> * */Washington Post/* - California is closing a huge nuclear plant. So what will replace it? <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/06/07/california-is-lo…> - Brad Plumer * */World Nuclear News/* - Regulatory delay closes San Onofre <http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C_Regulatory_delay_closes_San_Onofre_0706…> -- Roger Herried Abalone Alliance Clearinghouse archivist Energy Net <http://www.energy-net.org>

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[Sustain] CEQA Updates (SF & California) - Area & Regional Plan Exemptions Are Rising Threat To CEQA
by Eric Brooks 07 Jun '13

07 Jun '13

Hi all, SAN FRANCISCO CEQA UPDATE Our local California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) fight in San Francisco is nearing its end and we seem likely to emerge a bit bruised but with the basic essential local CEQA protections we need largely intact IF we continue to send messages to Supervisor David Chiu in the next few days that we insist on an enforceable ability to challenge MODIFICATIONS to projects which take place after the initial CEQA approval appeal window is closed. So if you and/or your organization have not yet sent a letter to that effect to Chiu and the other Supervisors, please do so ASAP so that they are receiving constant pressure from us on this vital point before final decisions are made next week. CALIFORNIA/BAY-AREA CEQA UPDATE The -new- threat to our CEQA protections can essentially be summed up in one developer tactic: Area Plans Both in the Bay Area (through Plan Bay Area Plan aka 'the One Bay Area plan') and through Darrell Steinberg's SB 731 (which just passed the California Senate 39-0 and is likely to reach and be signed into law by the Governor) specific provisions are being made to establish over-arching area plans as mechanisms to exempt projects within those plans from CEQA review. So we will need to refocus our energies to this state/regional area-plan-exemption struggle. These area plan maneuvers present an even more serious threat to us than did the Wiener legislation. CALIFORNIA To see how Steinberg's bill uses this mechanism to attack CEQA review, see point 2 of the commentary at: http://www.cp-dr.com/node/3361 BAY AREA To see how 'Plan Bay Area' plan also badly threatens our CEQA protections through the establishment of area plan exemptions go to: http://www.halfwaytoconcord.com/one-bay-area-plan-to-exempt-developers-from… **IMPORTANT! PUBLIC WORKSHOP ON PLAN BAY AREA - JUNE 12, SF LGBT Center** The SF Bay Guardian is holding a public forum on Plan Bay Area on Wednesday June 12, 6-8pm, at the LGBT Center in San Francisco. For details see: https://www.facebook.com/events/521507337913282/ I'll be in touch soon about the next hearing on the SF CEQA ordinance. cheers Eric Brooks Campaign Coordinator, Our City 415-756-8844

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[Sustain] Please Forward This Critique Of The Petro-Sponsored SWITCH 'Clean' Energy Documentary
by Eric Brooks 26 May '13

26 May '13

Hi all, The film SWITCH, which pretends to promote clean energy solutions while subtly promoting petroleum and other mined fuels, is suddenly getting a lot of attention and is unfortunately now even scheduled to run during the San Francisco Green Film Festival. Please forward this critique of the film widely: SWITCH Documentary Is Petroleum Industry Propaganda It is extremely important in the overwhelming avalanche of news and documentary sources that we receive on energy issues that we very carefully scrutinize the sources of that information before we let them guide our thinking. The case of the film Switch is a prime example of this. Do some digging on Switch and you will see that the University Department managing and promoting the film, the Bureau of Economic Geology, is focused on oil extraction. And one of the top donors to the film is the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Most of the other major donors are also geologist organizations, and the core business of the members of such organizations is oil and mineral extraction. Most notably, the lead donor to the film is Peter O'Donnell Jr (through his O'Donnell Foundation). O'Donnell is a high powered Republican from Texas who used to be the Chair of the Texas Republican Party and began his political activities supporting the campaign to draft Barry Goldwater to run for president. O'Donnell has donated massive amounts of money to Republican candidates, including George Bush. O'Donnell also heavily funds University research in sciences and engineering, undoubtedly in order to influence that research. The film Switch is very sly and effective fossil fuel industry propaganda pretending to support clean energy while very subtly shifting the viewer's attention away from truly clean strategies, to instead fool us into passively accepting that fossil fuels, biofuels, nuclear, and other harmful sources will inevitably play a role; all in order to slow down the transition to true clean energy solutions and perpetuate traditional fuel industry profits as long as possible. For documentation see: Funding for the film (near bottom of page at): http://www.switchenergyproject.com/about/funding-and-content An example of Bureau of Economic Geology's work on petroleum extraction: http://www.beg.utexas.edu/resprog/permianbasin/playanalysis.htm Peter O'Donnell: http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org/philanthropy/21817-godfather-of-texas-gop… Eric Brooks Sustainability Chair San Francisco Green Party brookse32(a)earthlink.net

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[Sustain] NEW CEQA UPDATE: Next Strategy Meeting Fri, May 31, 12 noon, SF Main Library (Stong Room - 1st floor) THEN HEARING Mon June 3, 10am, SF City Hall Rm 263 (tentative)
by Eric Brooks 24 May '13

24 May '13

Hi all, NEW CEQA UPDATE In the Land Use Committee meeting this past Monday, the timeline was tentatively accelerated on us a bit and there is a likely Land Use Committee hearing on the CEQA legislation on Monday, June 3 at 10am. (This is tentative, and to be confirmed late next week). So this necessitates holding our strategy meeting sooner, next Friday at the main library. (See details below.) We now need to focus our effort on getting very strong language allowing us to appeal project modifications (because we are being forced to accept a much earlier initial CEQA appeal trigger than we were demanding). I'll send out an action alert soon with talking points for contacting our key swing Supervisors to insist on sufficient appeal protections. Next Friday's strategy meeting will serve to address any surprises, and any good and/or bad developments that might require a revised strategy on our part before the following week. We will also need to touch base on where we think our swing Supervisors stand on our revised demands and on what last minute lobbying or other pressure we might need to engage, to ensure their support. Here are the meeting/hearing details. Please RSVP to confirm if you plan to attend either or both: 1) CEQA STRATEGY MEETING - Monday, May 31, 12 noon - SF Main Library, Stong Room, 1st Floor (the SF Library is between United Nations Plaza & SF City Hall near Civic Center BART/Muni) 2) LAND USE COMMITTEE HEARING CEQA AMENDMENTS (tentative - to be confirmed) - Monday, June 3, 10am - SF City Hall, Room 263 in solidarity Eric Brooks Campaign Coordinator, Our City 415-756-8844

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[Sustain] CEQA UPDATE: Hearing Today, But Next Key Hearing, Mon, June 10
by Eric Brooks 20 May '13

20 May '13

Brief CEQA Update - Hearings Today & June 10 Hi all, It looks like we are getting a breather from the intense CEQA schedule that we have been under and can plan for our next strategy meeting to be in the first week of June. Our legislative drafting team has been in intense negotiations with Supervisor Chiu for the last two weeks and Chiu has decided to continue the CEQA item in today's Land Use hearing until Monday, June 10 when we are hoping to have a final and acceptable compromise CEQA procedures measure ready for a vote of the Board of Supervisors. I'll send an email soon proposing a June 3 meeting (either at the Main Library or City Hall at around 12 noon) so that we can regroup and prepare for the hearing the following week. (NOTE: We should also begin discussing the looming and very serious threat to CEQA posed by the 'One Bay Area Plan' development rules juggernaut. See http://onebayarea.org/regional-initiatives/plan-bay-area.html ) Today's Hearing With that said, it wouldn't hurt for a few of us to attend today's hearing to make sure everything goes according to plan, and to reiterate a core message that if the San Francisco CEQA appeal trigger is going to be pushed to an earlier time in the process, we need -other- rules to be assured that enable the community sufficient CEQA protections; such as a longer appeal window, the strongest possible noticing, and a -very- strong definition for project modifications which would mandate CEQA review with the rock solid ability to appeal the Planning Department's decisions on such project modification assessments. The hearing starts today at 1:30pm in SF City Hall Room 263 and the CEQA items are numbers 5, 6, and 7, so showing up by about 2pm is likely soon enough if you want to be there to comment. I'll send a more detailed report-back soon with next meeting and hearing details. in solidarity, Eric Brooks Campaign Coordinator, Our City 415-756-8844

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[Sustain] CEQA: Powerful Hearing Video: Dialogue/Combat With Planning & SFPUC Staff Over 8 Washington Impacts
by Eric Brooks 12 May '13

12 May '13

Hi all, In last Thursday's jaw droppingly revealing Government Audit & Oversight Committee hearing on the poor process followed with the 8 Washington project approvals, I have seen no better proof showing the absurd resistance and incompetence we face from the staff of Planning and other agencies every time we challenge the environmental impacts of a project. This video gives us powerful ammunition to argue for the strongest possible local CEQA protections and notifications. To watch go to the 2hr & 4min mark at: http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=11&clip_id=17467 This 8 Washington hearing runs 2 and half hours and I strongly recommend watching the entire thing, to remind yourself of why we are fighting so hard to protect CEQA, and to get new talking points to use with David Chiu during the Monday CEQA hearing in Land Use, to get him to allow more time to produce the best possible CEQA legislation. Eric Brooks Campaign Coordinator, Our City 415-756-8844

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[Sustain] CEQA UPDATE: Next Strategy Meeting & Hearing, Mon, May 13, 11:45am & 1:30pm, SF Main Library (Stong Room - 1st floor) & SF City Hall Rm 263 *AND* HPC Wed May 15, 12:30, Rm 400
by Eric Brooks 08 May '13

08 May '13

Hi again all, In Monday's Land Use Committee hearing, Supervisor David Chiu once again amended improvements into Supervisor Wiener's CEQA legislation, but once again he did not address the key fundamental remaining issues on which we must stand firm, and on which Jane Kim's measure is far superior. And Chiu yet again, only gave us a one week continuance when we needed two. NOTE: Kim's legislation also goes before the Historic Preservation Commission next Wednesday May 15th. (See next week's meeting and hearing info below.) Remaining Problems & Requirements As before, the most dangerous aspect of Wiener's legislation - the trigger of all appeals on the FIRST APPROVAL of a project - has -not- been removed. Other serious problems remain, such as too much CEQA judgement power being delegated to city departments, reduced noticing on projects within area plans, and project approvals being allowed during the CEQA appeal of a project. We must also insist on strong proactive language allowing us to appeal project modifications. And we must insist on sufficient time to add solid supports for affordable housing and pedestrian safety. So we are closer to the end of this, but still need to stay on top of it and push Chiu to make Jane's measure the foundation of the new CEQA procedures, and to give us the time to make this real by bringing Jane's measure to active status in committee on May 20th. Here are next week's meeting details: 1) PRE LAND USE (& HPC) CEQA STRATEGY MEETING - Monday, May 13, 11:45am - SF Main Library, Stong Room, 1st Floor (the SF Library is between United Nations Plaza & SF City Hall near Civic Center BART/Muni) 2) LAND USE COMMITTEE HEARING ON CEQA AMENDMENTS - Monday, May 13, 1:30pm - SF City Hall, Room 263 (to support FINAL APPROVAL TRIGGER & Kim's community alternative) 3) HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION HEARING ON KIM CEQA LEGISLATION - Wednesday, May 15, 12:30pm - SF City Hall, Room 400 (IMPORTANT: the HPC now appears to be stacked with developer rubber stamps and we need to put high pressure on this hearing) in solidarity! Eric Brooks Campaign Coordinator, Our City 415-756-8844

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