Implementation Hearing on Law to Curb Sprawl Related Carbon

Implementing state law to curb greenhouse gases from excess driving caused by sprawling developments was the subject of a special Assembly committee hearing October 22. While no decisions were made, the Democrats on the Select Committee on Growth Management appeared to have the upper hand in applying growth management controls to reduce greenhouse gases. Failure to rein in carbon emissions from poor land use decisions could cause more emission reductions to come out of utilities’ hides to meet the state’s climate protection mandates. Unsustainable land use is the largest source of rising greenhouse gases in the state. The lone Republican, Assemblymember Roger Niello (R-Sacramento), highlighted the tension between state and local control. He maintained that individual communities would reject state plans to conform land use planning to greenhouse gases reduction strategies. SB 375 implementation is “both visionary & practical,” said Mike McKeever, executive director, Sacramento Area Council of Governments. “It sets the discussion of how far should we go to reduce greenhouse gases.” The California Air Resources Board has an advisory committee on the legislation, according to the committee. Ultimately CARB decides the targets. The legislation, signed into law last month, is seen as dovetailing with the state’s greenhouse gas reduction law, AB 32. The Air Board is in charge of implementing AB 32. It requires the state to cut its greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2020, with the energy sector expected to produce significant curbs in its gases. The transportation sector is the largest source of state emissions, estimated at 40 percent, and is followed by the power industry. State attempts at regulating land use, which is controlled by local agencies, however, have been vigorously resisted by cities and counties that largely control agricultural and housing development. Under SB 375, metropolitan planning organizations are required to adopt sustainable and more dense development plans to curb carbon emissions pursuant to AB 32. Funding priority is given to plans aimed at cutting vehicle use through sustainable planning. Transportation representatives told legislators they are “ready, willing, and able” to engage in the goals of SB 375--but not just at the moment, according to Gregg Albright, CalTrans deputy director of planning and modal programs. He explained the agency is in transition from building more highway projects to taking on “sustainable mobility.” Editor’s Note: For a more detailed report, please see our sister publication, Energy Meets Climate Challenge, E=MC2. It can be found at www.energymeetsclimate.com

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Implementation Hearing on Law to Curb Sprawl Related Carbon

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