Desert Env't Conser. Assn. v. Pub. Util. Com., 505 P.2d 223 (Cal. 1973). · Go Syfert
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Desert Env't Conser. Assn. v. Pub. Util. Com., 505 P.2d 223 (Cal. 1973). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
45 citation events (3 in the last 25 years) across 4 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Mount Sutro Defense Committee v. Regents of University of California (calctapp, 1978-01-24)
Treatment trajectory · 1973 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1973 1999 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 9 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mount Sutro Defense Committee v. Regents of University of California (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
Cal. Ct. App. · 1978 · confidence medium
(See Desert Environment Conservation Assn. v. Public Utilities Com. (1973) 8 Cal.3d 739, 742 [ 106 Cal.Rptr. 31 , 505 P.2d 223 ] [where the question of timing was initially presented although not reached in light of the enactment of § 21082].) Given that a “major purpose of an EIR is to inform other government agencies, and the public generally, of the environmental impact of a *37 proposed project [citations]. . . .” (No Oil, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles, supra, 13 Cal.3d 68, 86 ) and to inform the decision-making agency of the full range of adverse environmental effects and alternative m…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Addison v. Department of Motor Vehicles
Cal. Ct. App. · 1977 · confidence medium
(Desert Environment Conservation Assn. v. Public Utilities Com. (1973) 8 Cal.3d 739, 742-743 [ 106 Cal.Rptr. 31 , 505 P.2d 223 ].) The DMV asserts that regulations of California Administrative Code, title 13, sections 410.00 and 410.01, are authorized by the last sentence of section 320.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Slivkoff v. Bd. of Trs. of Cal. State Univ. & Colls.
Cal. Ct. App. · 1977 · confidence medium
Dist., 18 Cal.3d 450, 459 [ 134 Cal.Rptr. 639 , 556 P.2d 1090 ].) More recently, our Supreme Court said in Desert Environment Conservation Assn. v. Public Utilities Com., 8 Cal.3d 739, 742-743 [ 106 Cal.Rptr. 31 , 505 P.2d 223 ]: “An administrative regulation authorized by statute is invalid unless it is ‘consistent and not in conflict with the statute and reasonably necessary to effectuate the purpose of the statute.’ (Gov.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) No Oil, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles (2×)
Cal. · 1974 · confidence medium
(See Desert Environment Conservation Assn. v. Public Utilities Com. (1973) 8 Cal.3d 739, 742-743 [ 106 Cal. Rptr. 31 , 505 P.2d 223 ].) Its resolution, however, should await a case which arises after the effective date of the challenged regulation. [12] Neither CEQA nor Code of Civil Procedure section 1094.5 require rendition of findings of fact in quasi-legislative proceedings; our opinion imposes no such requirement.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Clean Air Constituency v. California State Air Resources Board
Cal. · 1974 · confidence medium
Government Code section 11374 provides: “Whenever by express or implied terms of any statute a state agency has authority to adopt regulations to implement, interpret, make specific or otherwise carry out the provisions of the statute, no regulation adopted is valid or effective unless consistent and not in conflict with the statute and reasonably necessary to effectuate the purpose of the statute.” (See also Desert Environment Conservation Assn. v. Public Utilities Com. (1973) 8 Cal.3d 739, 742-743 [ 106 Cal.Rptr. 31 , 505 P.2d *816 223]; Rosas v. Montgomery (1970) 10 Cal.App.3d 77, 92 [ …
examined Cited "see" County of Los Angeles v. California State Water Resources Control Board (3×)
Cal. Ct. App. · 2006 · signal: see · confidence high
Former Public Resources Code section 21100, the core provision of the 1972 version of the California Environmental Quality Act as it related to state agencies, boards, and commissions, stated: “All state agencies, boards, and commissions shall prepare, or cause to be prepared . . . and certify the completion of an environmental impact report on any project they propose to carry out or approve which may have a significant effect on the environment.” (Stats. 1972, ch. 1154, § 2.5, p. 2274; see Desert Environment Conservation Assn. v. Public Utilities Com. (1973) 8 Cal.3d 739, 742 [ 106 Cal.…
examined Cited "see" Aguirre v. Lee (3×)
Cal. Ct. App. · 1993 · signal: see · confidence high
(California State Restaurant Assn. v. Whitlow (1976) 58 Cal.App.3d 340, 347 [ 129 Cal.Rptr. 824 ]; see Desert Environment Conservation Assn. v. Public Utilities Com. (1973) 8 Cal.3d 739, 742-743 [ 106 Cal.Rptr. 31 , 505 P.2d 223 ].) When enacting regulations, the rent board has the authority to fill in the details of the Ordinance.
examined Cited "see" People ex rel. Department of Public Works v. Bosio (3×)
Cal. Ct. App. · 1975 · signal: see · confidence high
Com., supra; Hodge v. McCall (1921) 185 Cal. 330, 334 [ 197 P. 86 ]; Boone v. Kingsbury (1928) 206 Cal. 148, 161-162 [ 273 P. 797 ]; First Industrial Loan Co. v. Daugherty (1945) 26 Cal.2d 545, 550 [ 159 P.2d 921 ]; see Brock v. Superior Court (1938) 11 Cal.2d 682, 688 [ 81 P.2d 934 ].)” More recently, with specific reference to the CEQA and regulations thereunder, our Supreme Court said in Desert Environment Conservation Assn. v. Public Utilities Com., 8 Cal.3d 739, 742-743 [ 106 Cal.Rptr. 31 , 505 P.2d 223 ]: “This is not to say, of course, that regulations under the EQA will be immune f…
examined Cited "see" PEOPLE EX REL. DEPT. PUB. WKS v. Bosio (3×)
Cal. Ct. App. · 1975 · signal: see · confidence high
Com., supra ; Hodge v. McCall (1921) 185 Cal. 330, 334 [ 197 P. 86 ]; Boone v. Kingsbury (1928) 206 Cal. 148, 161-162 [ 273 P. 797 ]; First Industrial Loan Co. v. Daugherty (1945) 26 Cal.2d 545, 550 [ 159 P.2d 921 ]; see Brock v. Superior Court (1938) 11 Cal.2d 682, 688 [ 81 P.2d 934 ].)" More recently, with specific reference to the CEQA and regulations thereunder, our Supreme Court said in Desert Environment Conservation Assn. v. Public Utilities Com., 8 Cal.3d 739, 742-743 [ 106 Cal. Rptr. 31 , 505 P.2d 223 ]: "This is not to say, of course, that regulations under the EQA will be immune fro…
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
DESERT ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION et al., Petitioners,
v.
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, Respondent; SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY, Real Party in Interest.
S.F. 22898.
California Supreme Court.
Jan 26, 1973.
505 P.2d 223
Mosk.
Cited by 12 opinions  |  Published

[*740] COUNSEL

John R. Phillips, Carlyle W. Hall, Jr., Brent N. Rushforth, Fredric P. Sutherland, Gregg William Hornaday, Leroy A. Simmons and Hornaday & Simmons for Petitioners.

Evelle J. Younger, Attorney General, Larry C. King, C. Foster Knight, Nicholas C. Yost and Norman N. Flette, Deputy Attorneys General, as Amici Curiae on behalf of Petitioners.

John P. Mathis, Mary Moran Pajalich, J. Calvin Simpson, Hector Anninos, Sheldon Rosenthal and James J. Cherry for Respondent.

Rollin E. Woodbury, Robert J. Cahall, John R. Bury and William E. Marx for Real Party in Interest.[*741] Sherman Chickering, C. Hayden Ames, Donald J. Richardson, Jr., Edward P. Nelsen, Chickering & Gregory, Gordon Pearce, Frederick T. Searls, Malcolm H. Furbush and Stanley T. Skinner as Amici Curiae on behalf of Real Party in Interest.

OPINION

MOSK, J.

Petitioners seek a writ of mandate to compel respondent Public Utilities Commission to commence immediate preparation of an environmental impact statement in connection with an application by real party in interest for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a proposed power plant.

The real party in interest, an investor-owned utility company, has requested the commission to approve a one and one-half billion watt electrical generating station to be constructed near petitioners' homes in the high desert area of San Bernardino County. The commission has not yet held a hearing on the application. Petitioners' allegations that the region surrounding the proposed site is ecologically fragile and that the plant would have a significant effect on the environment are not disputed. On the basis of these allegations, petitioners contend the commission must issue an environmental impact statement before holding a hearing on the application and, consequently, must begin preparation of this statement forthwith.

The California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (EQA) (Pub. Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.) provides for the preparation by state and local governmental entities of written analyses of the environmental impact of proposed projects that may have a significant effect on the environment. The commission, although it has never formally ruled on the issue, has heretofore operated under the assumption that the EQA is not applicable to its issuance of certificates of public convenience and necessity. Amendments clarifying provisions of the existing statute were adopted during the recent session of the Legislature, however, and have laid to rest the commission's reservations. (Stats. 1972, ch. 1154.) The commission is covered by the act (see § 21168.6) and has now so conceded.[1]

[*742] A second issue initially raised in these proceedings has also been resolved by legislative clarification: i.e., whether the public agency authorizing a project having a significant effect on the environment must prepare an environmental impact statement in all cases, or need do so only if it files some other report on the project. Section 21100 now provides, inter alia: "All state agencies, boards, and commissions shall prepare, or cause to be prepared by contract, and certify the completion of an environmental impact report on any projects they propose to carry out or approve which have a significant effect on the environment...." (Italics added.)

The sole remaining issue is the time when the report is to be prepared and made public. Petitioners insist this must be completed prior to the hearing on the application. Section 21082, added to the EQA by the recent amendments, has, however, rendered this issue premature. The section requires that within a specified time "all public agencies shall adopt by ordinance, resolution, rule or regulation, objectives, criteria and procedures for the evaluation of projects and the preparation of environmental impact reports pursuant to this division." Such objectives, criteria, and procedures must be consistent with guidelines to be first adopted by the Secretary of the Resources Agency. (§ 21083.) (1a) Thus the Legislature has clearly provided that administrative agencies, rather than the judiciary, have primary responsibility for adjusting administrative procedures to respond to the environmental concerns articulated in the act. The commission stated in oral argument that it intended to adopt regulations pursuant to section 21082 and indicated it would withhold action on the application in the present case until these rules were promulgated. Under these circumstances an order by this court compelling the commission to adopt a particular procedure at this time would contravene the priorities established by the Legislature. Such interference with administrative discretion would do violence to the principle of separation of powers enunciated in article III of the California Constitution.

This is not to say, of course, that regulations under the EQA will be immune from review once adopted by the commission. An administrative regulation authorized by statute is invalid unless it is "consistent and not in conflict with the statute and reasonably necessary to effectuate the purpose[*743] of the statute." (Gov. Code, § 11374.) (2) A regulation that fails to satisfy this standard is properly subject to judicial challenge.

(1b) Whatever the significance of the issue petitioners seek to raise, we conclude that its prematurity forecloses a determination on the merits.

The alternative writ is discharged and the peremptory writ denied.

Wright, C.J., McComb, J., Tobriner, J., Burke, J., and Sullivan, J., concurred.

1 The commission initially contended the EQA was inapplicable to the approval by public agencies of privately sponsored activities. We rejected this argument in Friends of Mammoth v. Board of Supervisors (1972) 8 Cal.3d 247 [104 Cal. Rptr. 761, 502 P.2d 1049]. Our interpretation of the act was subsequently confirmed in the amendments to the EQA, which provide that projects for which an impact report is required include "Activities involving the issuance to a person of a lease, permit, license, certificate, or other entitlement for use by one or more public agencies." (§ 21065, subd. (c).) The Legislature expressly stated that this provision was intended "only to declare and to clarify existing law." (Stats. 1972, ch. 1154, § 17.)