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NewsTimes of San DiegoOctober 25, 2026San Diego County

Oil and tech companies spend millions to pass Proposition 45, altering California's environmental law

Photo: Times of San Diego

Big Tech companies and California's largest oil and gas well operator are spending millions to pass Proposition 45, a ballot measure that would alter the California Environmental Quality Act to clear hurdles for industrial projects such as gas pipelines and data centers. The measure aims to cut bureaucratic red tape and speed up construction by reducing review times and public input requirements. Opponents argue the initiative's true agenda is to ease the path for polluting projects under the guise of addressing the housing crisis.

Environmental PolicyEnergyInfrastructureCampaign FinanceTechnology
Read the full story at Times of San Diego

Why It Matters

Proposition 45 would reshape California development by altering environmental review standards for infrastructure, housing, and projects across the state.

Key Facts

Each fact below is taken from the article. Click one to see the exact passage.

Who's Mentioned

PersonMegan Creecy-Herman“Linked to the Chamber of Commerce board.”OrganizationNielsen Merksamer“Formed consumer groups for ads opposing oil refinery regulation in 2023.”PersonKurt Oneto“Member of the chamber's board of directors.”OrganizationCalChamber“Formerly the California Chamber of Commerce.”OrganizationChevron“Sent funds to Golden State Forward.”OrganizationCalifornia Resources Corp.“An oil company that owns thousands of wells in California and is a major financi”PersonDavid Penaloza“Recipient of campaign funds from Golden State Forward.”PersonWoody Little“Stated that housing and clean energy have never been the real agenda behind the ”OrganizationSouthern California Edison Company“Affiliate of Edison International.”PersonFrancisco Leon“Controls spending through the Chamber committee.”PersonXavier Becerra“Received half a million dollars from California Resources Corp. in May.”OrganizationEdison International“Major utility supporting the ballot measure.”PersonSergey Brin“Spent $10 million through Building a Better California in support of Proposition”PersonEric Lucan“Recipient of campaign funds from Golden State Forward.”PersonGavin Newsom“Signed bills last year exempting housing in developed areas from environmental l”OrganizationSempra“Parent company of Southern California Gas Company and San Diego Gas & Electric.”OrganizationPacific Gas & Electric Co.“Developing mixed-use residential and data center projects in San Jose.”OrganizationBeacon Data Centers“Advancing a 275-megawatt campus for technology using electricity from the Elk Hi”OrganizationPrologis“Planning five data centers in San Jose.”OrganizationCapital & Main“A nonprofit publication reporting on economic, environmental, and social issues ”