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Part ofCalifornia Environmental Quality Act →
SB 887CALIFORNIASession 20252026
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Data centers lose environmental exemptions and gain streamlined permitting pathways

Original title: California Environmental Quality Act: environmental leadership development projects: data centers: geothermal powerplant projects.

August 31, 2026

California Environmental Quality ActData CentersGeothermal EnergyEnvironmental PolicyLand UseCaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityActdatacentersenvironmentalleadershipdevelopmentprojectsgeothermalpowerplantprojects

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Where This Stands

Currently Unknown. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Introduced.

Last action
Set for hearing May 14.May 8, 2026

Version history & redline

6 versions on file

Official version history is partial: 6 linked texts are unavailable or incomplete. Source links remain available below.

Comparing 04/09/26 - Amended Senate → 05/18/26 - Amended Senate
removed addedOfficial text

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Redline computed from the official version text (record lane).View this version →

The Frame

What this does

This bill mandates stricter environmental oversight for data center construction while providing an expedited approval track for geothermal energy projects effective January 1, 2034.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Data center developers

They are prohibited from using categorical exemptions for projects and must comply with new statewide standards to qualify for streamlined review.

Geothermal power plant operators

They gain the ability to seek certification as environmental leadership development projects to streamline their environmental review process.

Local lead agencies

They face increased duties regarding the environmental review and oversight of data center projects.

What changed

Last recorded activity August 31, 2026.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

Data centers are now prohibited from using s under the California Environmental Quality Act, requiring them to undergo full environmental review. The Governor is authorized to certify data centers and geothermal power plants as s to access streamlined permitting processes.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

This bill mandates stricter environmental oversight for data center construction while providing an expedited approval track for geothermal energy projects effective January 1, 2034.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will data centers still be able to skip environmental reviews?
No. SB 887 prohibits data centers from using 's,' meaning they must undergo a more rigorous environmental review process.
How does this affect geothermal energy projects?
The bill allows geothermal power plants to be certified as 's,' which provides access to streamlined permitting benefits.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Connected Entities

organizationNatural Resources Agency“Certifies and adopts CEQA guidelines.”Map →
organizationState Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission“Tasked with developing statewide standards for data centers.”Map →
otherCalifornia Environmental Quality Act“The primary environmental law being amended.”Map →
otherJobs and Economic Improvement Through Environmental Leadership Act of 2021“The existing law being expanded by this bill.”Map →
organizationOffice of Land Use and Climate Innovation“Responsible for proposing CEQA implementation guidelines.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance80
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy50
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz40
    Current news / social attention level

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