The Southern California Association of Governments rebuffed the CA Air Resources Board by deliberately setting lower targets for greenhouse gas emissions per SB 375, the 2008 law intended to reduce GHG emissions from transportation.
The building lobby was successful in convincing the southern California metropolitan planning organization board members to lower these targets, in effect reducing the incentive to encourage denser, less auto-dependent development.
"Instead of setting the goal of reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 8% in 2020 and 13% in 2035 as recommended by the state's Air Resource Board after a lengthy public process, SCAG chose to set goals of 6% reduction in 2020 and 8% in 2035. The 8/13 targets were rejected by a 21 to 29 vote. Unfortunately, this means that design standards and community plans throughout the region will have less density, encourage fewer transportation options, and create less vibrant communities with less open space over the next twenty five years than they would have if SCAG would have followed the state board's recommendations."
Meanwhile, environmentalists scorned the decision. (An) Associated Press article quotes a frustrated representative of the American Lung Association, while other articles quote (Natural Resource Defense Council's) Amanda Eaken, who has emerged as something of an expert on this issue. Locally, ClimatePlan staffer and Streetsblog contributor Gloria Ohland commented simply that "we have more work to do."
Thanks to The Transit Coalition
FULL STORY: SCAG Takes a Pass on History, Moves Forward with Lower GHG Reductions

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