Transportation Planning In Federal Climate Legislation

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.

1 minute read

October 30, 2009, 11:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


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."

Thursday, October 29, 2009 in Capital Public Radio

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

Rendering of autonomous cargo train moving across bridge across river in wooded area between Texas and Mexico.

Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor

The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.

June 17 - FreightWaves

Rendering of white three-story single-stair building in Austin, Texas with staircase in the middle.

Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway

Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.

June 17 - Building Design & Construction

MARTA bus with Atlanta skyline in background

Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access

MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.

June 17 - Mass Transit