Divided State Supreme Court Approves Rail Project But May Change Environmental Review

Nossaman Partner Robert Thornton was quoted in the Daily Journal article "Divided state Supreme Court approves rail project but may change environmental review" regarding the California Supreme Court's decision to allow the Exposition Construction Authority to extend a Los Angeles light rail line to Santa Monica.

The case centered around whether agencies retain discretion to select an appropriate baseline for determining the significance of traffic and air quality impacts of transportation projects.  The Supreme Court decision restores to public agencies the right to rely on their experience, expertise and judgment to evaluate traffic and air quality impacts against projected future conditions in certain circumstances.

Mr. Thornton, who represented the Exposition Construction Authority in the case, stated that he was thrilled with the decision to uphold the approval of the $1.5 billion light rail transit project.