SB 1097: California Environmental Quality Act: electrical distribution: exemptions.

The bill aims to exempt certain projects from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) if they meet specific requirements. These projects include the inspection, maintenance, and replacement of transmission wires and cables, as well as the construction of solar photovoltaic and wind power plants, energy storage systems, and stationary electrical generating power plants. The bill also establishes a modified approval process for these projects, which would require the lead agency to determine that the project is likely to have a significant effect on the environment. Additionally, the bill requires that actions challenging CEQA decisions be resolved within 270 days. The bill does not require reimbursement for certain costs associated with implementing the exemptions and modified approval process.