Regional Planning Begins To Meet CA's Stricter Emissions Standards

Two Bay Area planning agencies have jointly released what they call their "Initial Vision Scenario", a first step in implementing the Sustainable Community Strategy required by state law (SB 375, 2008) to reduce climate emissions from transportation.

1 minute read

March 22, 2011, 7:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


Per SB 375, the Bay Area must reduce these emissions by 15% per capita by 2035 and 7% by 2020 - a goal mandated by the California Air Resources Board. Unlike prior regional transportation plans that focused mainly on how to spend the region's transportation funds, this plan will be much broader in scope and will also combine the affordable housing requirements apportioned by Association of Bay Area Governments .

"The Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments say the release of their plan -- called the Initial Vision Scenario for 2035 -- opens a public debate about how and where the region should grow. The two agencies will hold public workshops on the vision plan in each of the nine Bay Area counties in April and May.

The 94-page vision document will provide the groundwork for a plan the two regional agencies must adopt in 2013 to meet Senate Bill 375 requirements to combat global warming."

From One Bay Area: "One major effort now underway is the development of Plan Bay Area, the region's long-range plan for sustainable land use, transportation and housing."

Thanks to MTC-ABAG Library

Monday, March 21, 2011 in Mercury News

Young Professional

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A swamp in South Carolina with tall pale trees and Spanish moss in the water.

Satanic place names

From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.

October 31 - The Daily Yonder

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight