In this short radio broadcast, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer welcomes the support of influential land use planner Mike McKeever of Sacramento, who testifies in support of the bill that incorporates smart growth strategies first employed by his MPO.
Mike McKeever, director of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, a six-county metropolitan planning organization known for its comprehensive 'blueprint' project that some say became the foundation for California's landmark SB 375 law that requires MPOs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, testified in DC on behalf of the Kerry-Boxer climate bill, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1733).
"As Chairwoman of the environment committee, Boxer incorporated some of what Sacramento has done in her federal climate bill."
BOXER: "They're real leaders in transportation planning and combining this with land use. Sensible, common sense ideas that have gone a long way to shape our planning efforts in California."
The climate bill calls for regional leaders to set out plans to reduce carbon emissions from transportation. They then forward that on to Washington for approval and eventually some funding. Like Sacramento efforts, federal officials are encouraging more bike paths and walk-able communities.
McKEEVER: "I think that the bill, the transportation planning portions of the bill, will help our region to achieve the goals that we have set for ourselves."
FULL STORY: Senators Hear From Top Sac Region Transportation Official on Climate BIll

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie