To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% below 1990 levels by 2020, Massachusetts hopes to tap federal funds to help enact a 'Pay As You Drive' auto insurance program to reduce transportation emissions.
"Data released by state officials on Wednesday (Dec. 29) indicate that more than one-third of the total greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions in Massachusetts - 33 million metric tons in 2007 - come from the transportation sector. As part of the plan, Mr. Bowles (Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs) said, the state will start a pilot program giving drivers an incentive to cut back on unnecessary travel by linking car-insurance premiums to miles driven - a 'Pay As You Drive' program.
Congress has authorized $15 million in federal Transportation Department grants for such programs, money that could be used to ensure that lower-income drivers do not suffer an unequal burden."
The targets for the MA plan are 25% than that of California's AB 32, that call for reaching 1990 GHG emissions levels by 2020. MA will continue to engage in carbon trading for power plants through the northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
FULL STORY: Massachusetts Sets Targets to Slash Carbon Emissions
Could a Little Black Box Transform Road Funding in the U.S.?
Southern California's powerful regional planning association is one of the many public agencies across the United States that sees the future of road funding in a new technology called a 'black box'.
California Carbon Market Gets a Test Run
When California's carbon market launches in November, it will become the second-largest in the world. A test auction conducted this week with 150 of the companies to be involved in the program went off without a hitch.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
Rethinking Computing: Researchers Tackle AI’s Energy Demands
USC researchers are reimagining how AI systems are trained and powered — through smarter algorithms, innovative hardware, and brain-inspired designs — to dramatically reduce computing’s energy footprint.
Amazon-Owned Robotaxis to Begin Testing in LA
Los Angeles will become the sixth city where Zoox is testing its autonomous vehicle technology.
New York MTA Says No More Borrowing, Will Cut Costs Instead
The agency says it won’t take out any new loans to finance its planned improvements and is finding other ways to cut costs.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions