U.S. Supreme Court declines case + Business, industry groups support Newsom plan

Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

SUPREME COURT WON’T HEAR FRACKING-RELATED CASE

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a case involving a legal dispute over oil production off the California coast.

The matter came before the court after environmental groups said federal agencies had inadequately assessed the effects of hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking.

A federal appeals court agreed with the groups and prevented the agencies from approving permits until they conducted a more thorough review.

The American Petroleum Institute, an industry trade group, and oil companies, argued the appeals court had overstepped its bounds. They asked the Supreme Court to intervene.

By deciding not to hear the matter, the Supreme Court left in place the ruling by the appeals court.

“Today’s decision is a victory for California’s coast and ocean,” California Coastal Commission Executive Director Kate Huckelbridge said in a statement.

The American Petroleum Institute said it would continue to push for oil production off the coast.

“Access to the vast energy resources offshore is essential for meeting the growing demand for affordable, reliable energy while achieving our climate goals,” Holly Hopkins, a vice president of upstream policy for the group, said in a statement.

GROUPS CALL FOR SUPPORT OF NEWSOM PLAN

Business, industry and labor groups from across the state called on the Legislature Monday to back an effort by Gov. Gavin Newsom to speed up infrastructure projects.

Newsom last month unveiled proposed changes to the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, that he said would expedite the work. He had wanted those changes to be included in next year’s budget.

Lawmakers must approve that budget by June 15. A letter from the groups urged them to get moving.

“Simply put, our current system is burdened with systemic delays, red tape and roadblocks that make it too difficult to build the critical infrastructure our state needs,” the letter said. “We must do better. The Governor’s infrastructure streamlining proposals do just that. ”

Daniel Villaseñor, a deputy press secretary for the Governor’s Office, said in an email there were no specific bills yet associated with the proposals. Committees in both the Assembly and Senate were expected to discuss the ideas this week.

The letter comes after Newsom’s plan was met with concern from environmental groups. At the time he announced it, Sierra Club California Director Brandon Dawson said the governor’s “attempt to rush legislative language through the opaque trailer bill process in under a month is worrying at best.”

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“.@RonDeSantis you small, pathetic man.

This isn’t Martha’s Vineyard.

Kidnapping charges?

Read the following. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=207.&lawCode=PEN”

- Newsom on Twitter following the arrival Monday of a second flight of migrants to Sacramento in recent days. Newsom, and Attorney General Rob Bonta, are accusing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis of being involved.

Best of The Bee:

• The private chartered flight that recently flew more than a dozen South American migrants from New Mexico to Sacramento last week was likely arranged by the state of Florida, according to California officials, via Maggie Angst and Mathew Miranda.

• A second plane reportedly carrying migrants arrived Monday morning in Sacramento, via Michael McGough and Mathew Miranda.
  
  

• Republicans protest as California lawmakers celebrating Pride Month honor a drag nun, via Maya Miller.

• Liberal philosopher and political activist Cornel West, who grew up in Sacramento, announced he is running for president, via Stephen Hobbs.

• California DMV is cracking down on disabled parking fraud. How a new rule is meant to help, via Brianna Taylor.