Energy-efficient vehicles,buildings, appliances, low carbon fuels,and renewable energy took center stage in the Climate Change Draft Scoping Plan released June 26 by the CA Air Resources Board, a major step in meeting the landmark AB 32 climate goals
"The draft plan, which seeks to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the state by 30 percent by 2020, encourages local governments to create land-use and transportation plans that help them meet reduction targets."
"Environmental and planning groups, while cautiously supportive of the draft proposal, said they thought it should do more to force local government and builders to develop in a climate-friendly fashion.
The plan said improved land use and transportation planning could cut emissions by an additional 2 percent by 2020 and 4 percent by 2030, it said. An earlier report had put that reduction closer to 6 percent by 2020, said Stuart Cohen, executive director of the Transportation and Land Use Coalition in Oakland.
"We think this number got way too low," he said. "It's going to let everyone off the hook."
On the other hand, the California Building Industry Association plans to lobby to ensure that the final version of the law balances the environmental aims against the goal of providing adequate affordable housing in the state, spokesman John Frith said.
The association and other trade groups representing residential and commercial developers have long blamed the state's high housing costs on onerous government regulations.
"You can't meet the state's housing needs, 230,000 odd units a year to keep up with population growth, strictly with urban infill," he said. "You have to have a mix."
Thanks to ABAG-MTC Library
FULL STORY: Discouraging driving crucial in warming battle
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.