SB 252: California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: undergrounding powerlines.

This bill aims to exempt projects to underground powerlines from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Under CEQA, a lead agency must prepare an environmental impact report or a mitigated negative declaration for projects that may have a significant effect on the environment. This bill would allow undergrounding powerlines to avoid these requirements, as it is determined that the project would not have a significant environmental impact. The bill would also impose a state-mandated local program to determine if a project qualifies for the exemption. Reimbursement for costs related to this bill is not required for local agencies and school districts.