Overview
Breana Inoshita is dedicated to helping public agencies and private clients navigate complex land use and environmental challenges. Her practice primarily focuses on natural resource matters, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), land use, energy, and public utility regulations. With a background in community and regional development, she possesses a deep understanding of environmental policy and regional planning, which she leverages to assist clients in addressing land use entitlements and regulatory compliance issues.
Education
- University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly University of California, Hastings College of the Law), J.D., 2021; Executive Managing Editor, Hastings Environmental Law Journal
- University of California at Davis, B.S., Community & Regional Development, 2017
- University of California at Davis, B.A., Asian American Studies, 2017
Admissions
California
Experience
Land Use and CEQA
- Assisted a Southern California municipality in defending several lawsuits under CEQA, the Planning and Zoning Law, and local municipal code.
- Advised a real estate developer on permits and entitlements and CEQA compliance for several housing and mixed-use projects in Northern California.
- Assisted in representing the University of California in connection with various land-use projects and litigation.
- Assisted in successful demurrer to challenge of RV park project near Yosemite National Park with claims under CEQA, the Planning and Zoning Law, and public nuisance.
- Assisted in successful defense of challenge to annual water allocations exempted under CEQA. Secured complete denial of writ petition at trial court.
Energy and Mining
- Advised clients on permits and entitlements for mining construction-grade sand from San Francisco and Suisun Bays.
- Assisted construction material company with CEQA compliance for a creek restoration project at a quarry in Santa Clara County.
- Assisted in advising a community-owned electric utility on CEQA compliance for a utility-scale wind repowering project in Solano County.
Public Utility Regulation
- Represented investor-owned utilities and independent natural gas and electric service providers in utility general rate cases and other CPUC proceedings addressing utility rates and costs borne by market participants.
- Advised passenger stage corporations and vessel common carriers on CPUC proceedings and regulatory compliance.
Insights
Insights & Presentations
- “Ninth Circuit Holds Forest Service Cannot Combine NEPA Categorical Exclusions,” California Land Use Law & Policy Reporter, July 2024
- “California Energy Commission Releases Draft Offshore Wind Plan That Details Port Infrastructure Needs,” California Land Use Law & Policy Reporter, March 2024
- “California Utilities Commission Proposes Increased Storage Capacity at Aliso Canyon, Environmental,” Energy & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter, August/September 2023
- “Litigation is Taking California’s Public Trust Doctrine From the Waterfront to the Forefront,” Western City Magazine, June 1, 2023
- “Ninth Circuit Holds Rulemaking Petition Regarding Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan is not Subject to Judicial Review,” Environmental, Energy & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter, March 2023
- “U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Proposes Rule on Climate-Related Disclosures,” Environmental, Energy & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter, May 2022
- “California Proposes Setback Requirement for New Oil and Gas Wells – How Does it Measure Up?” Environmental, Energy, & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter and California Land Use Law & Policy Reporter, December 2021
- “New California Laws Ban PFAS in Juvenile Products and Food Packaging,” California Water Environment Association®, November 3, 2021
Recognition
- Listed among Rising Stars (Energy & Natural Resources, Environmental, Land Use & Zoning) Northern California Super Lawyers®, 2024–present
- UC Hastings Honor Society, 2019–2021
- Witkin Awards for Highest Grade in Professional Responsibility and Criminal Law
- CALI Awards for Highest Score in Class for Torts and Legal Writing and Research
Affiliations
Professional
- California Lawyers Association, New Lawyers Section, Executive Committee Vice-Chair
- Asian American Bar Association
- Power Association of Northern California
- Conference of California Public Utility Counsel
- Association of Environmental Professionals
Civic
- San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program, 2016–2017
- Florin Japanese American Citizens League, Board Member, 2016–2017