California law
Environmental Laws in California.
California has one of the most expansive state environmental frameworks in the country. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) governs state and local project review; the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act governs water quality; the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) governs greenhouse-gas regulation; and CalEPA oversees a large group of specialized agencies including the Air Resources Board, State Water Resources Control Board, and Department of Toxic Substances Control.
Last verified: 2026-04-17
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State law
Key California Statutes
CEQA requires state and local agencies to identify the significant environmental impacts of their actions and to avoid or mitigate those impacts if feasible, driving a major share of California public-project litigation.
Porter-Cologne is California’s central water-quality statute, governing permitting, enforcement, and remediation of discharges to waters of the state.
State law
Official Sources
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This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in California.
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