Category: Local Government

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California Policy Local Government Public Transit State Policy Transportation Funding

No Prop 6: Save Transportation Funding for California

Next month voters will consider Proposition 6, which would roll back the additional transportation funding approved by SB 1, the transportation and gas tax law. Millions of dollars of transportation funding and important investments in active transportation, public transit, local road maintenance, and bridge safety would be eliminated. Not only does the measure repeal SB 1, but it also amends the state constitution to require voter approval for any new or increased taxes and fees for future transportation revenue increases.  Prop 6 is bad for transportation, bad for public transit, and bad for air quality.

That’s why Policy in Motion is endorsing No Prop 6 (noprop6.com)

Prop 6 would eliminate:

  • $5 billion annually in existing transportation funds and stop funding for more than 6,500 projects currently underway throughout California – including repairing potholes, repaving roads, bridge and road safety, transportation and public transit improvements.
  • $750 million annually for local transit operations and capital.
  • $100 million annually for the Active Transportation Program grants.
  • $25 million annually for local sustainable planning grants.
  • $7 million annually for UC and CSU Transportation Research.
  • 68,000 jobs and $183 billion in economic investments as thousands of road construction projects are halted.

As it now stands, California has a need of $13 billion annually over the next 10 years, just to bring the state highways and local roads into good condition. Maintaining a functional transportation system relies on user fees from drivers and SB 1 links road usage with maintenance needs by taxing gasoline and charging owners of electric vehicles $100 annual fee.   

Spread the Word – NO PROP 6
Californians are registering to vote in record numbers. Nearly 1.5 million more people are registered to vote than were in the last midterm election in 2014, according to the California Secretary of State’s Office. More than 19 million Californians were registered to vote on Sept. 7 — nearly 76 percent of all eligible voters in the state. It is the highest number of voters ahead of a midterm election in state history.
 
Let your friends and family know more about how Prop 6 impacts their community at noprop6.com, forward this email or share this post on your Facebook page.

And don’t forget to register to vote if you haven’t already! You can do it online at: covr.sos.ca.gov

Categories
California Policy Cap and Trade Education/Webinars GHG Reduction Livable Communities Local Government NewsFlash SB 375 State Policy Transportation Funding

Cap and Trade Resource Center Launches! Website + Infographic + Brochure (with a side of Podcast) 

Multi-Media Transportation Policy

This month, Policy in Motion is pleased to announce two exciting communications projects that will help local governments and interested stakeholders better understand the basics of transportation planning and new grant funding opportunities under California’s new Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

If you happen to be one of the 216,000 people following Streetsblog podcaster, Jeff Wood, on twitter you may have heard that Policy in Motion’s Lauren Michele was recently featured on a podcast called Remaking California’s Transportation System for People and Their Environment. This first podcast in a three part series looks at California’s move to change the way transportation is funded and organized at the state level. With major environmental laws passed in the last decade that focus on reducing greenhouse gasses, California is on the cusp of great change. Lauren Michele and Kate White, Deputy Secretary for Environmental Policy and Housing at CALSTA, were hosted in Part 1 to talk about the new laws and the consolidation of state transportation departments under one agency.  Listen to the 13 minute segment on-line or on your phone here.

Policy in Motion worked with the Institute for Local Government (ILG) to launch a new “Cap and Trade Resource Center” this month – a one stop shop for locals to get a reader’s digest version of how California’s cap and trade program works, and what grant funding is available for local governments.  Lauren Michele developed the content and materials for ILG’s Resource Center, which summarizes 13 new and existing state agency grant programs funded through AB 32 cap and trade auction revenues that could fund or support local government sustainability efforts.

The information can be found on-line at ILG’s website, downloaded as a full brochure, and/or viewed as an Infographic!

Lauren Michele, Principal / Founder, Policy in Motion.

Lauren earned a Master’s of Science degree from the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies after working as a transportation planning professional at Fehr & Peers, a climate change policy analyst at the Center for Clean Air Policy in Washington D.C., and an air quality program assistant at the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.  At the UC Davis Urban Land Use and Transportation Center (ULTRANS) she focused on the links between California’s Senate Bill 375 and developing federal climate/energy legislation and the transportation reauthorization.  Her academic work includes teaching undergraduate courses in Transportation Policy at UC Davis and experiential learning while living and researching multi-modal transportation planning in Europe.

Lauren organized and served as Policy Director for the Transportation Coalition for Livable Communities — a coalition which includes the California Alliance for Jobs, California Transit Association, National Resources Defense Council, League of California Cities, State Association of Counties, and the Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Councils of Governments throughout the state. The Coalition promotes the investment of cap and trade revenue to address both the greenhouse gas reduction goals of AB 32 and critical transportation system maintenance and operation needs that build on the framework of SB 375 and other GHG reduction strategies.

Her firm, Policy in Motion, specializes in sustainable transportation policy.  Policy in Motion offers planning practitioners, policy makers, and public agencies an understanding of how to integrate sustainability policy into transportation infrastructure and land use decisions.  Lauren Michele’s 2011 book, “Policy in Motion: Transportation Planning in California after AB 32” explores the State’s evolving policies for sustainable living through transportation planning, and identifies how outdated regulatory frameworks must be aligned with supporting paradigm shifts if California is to move forward in a truly unified vision for “People-Oriented Development” and transportation.  Lauren’s 2012 film documentary, “Policy in Motion: Growing Beautiful Communities” continues to explore how an integrated approach to transportation planning and funding based on “People-Oriented Development” (POD) can improve community quality of life while meeting California’s environmental and economic goals. Policy in Motion’s book and film are available for purchase on-line at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and www.policyinmotion.com.

 

Categories
California Policy Complete Streets GHG Reduction Livable Communities Local Government Metropolitan Planning Public Transit Safe Routes to School SB 375 Sustainability

Strategic Growth Council Awards $16M in Planning Grants : Looks to Future Cap and Trade Funding

FINAL ROUND OF PROP 84 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PLANNING GRANTS AWARDED – WHAT’S NEXT?

Today the California Strategic Growth Council awarded over $16 million in its third and final round of Proposition 84 Sustainable Communities Planning Grants.  This successful program has sparked innovation in sustainability planning across California’s communities by incentivizing the integration of transportation, land use, and resource conservation.

The City of Davis, in partnership with Yolo County and UC Davis, received $591,108 for their “Downtown/University Gateway District Plan” proposal — which will bring together a vision for energy, water, and transportation conservation in a critical infill site located between the three jurisdictions.  Reviewed by a panel including a dozen state agency departments, the innovative plan was the highest ranking application in the state.  Policy in Motion is so grateful to have had the opportunity to help craft this proposal with the City, County, and University and is dedicated to ensuring California continues to fund the implementation of projects like this across the state.

Today was a significant milestone for the Strategic Growth Council — having now awarded over $66 million to 126 cities, counties, and regions in California under the Prop 84 funding program.  With the total grant requests vastly exceeding the available funding, it is clear that California communities are eager to plan and build a more sustainable future.

Since the passage of SB 375 in 2008 local governments have been actively seeking funding sources to make the implementation of regional Sustainable Communities Strategies not just a goal, but a reality.

We have a transformative opportunity under California’s cap and trade program to help communities do this — but we need to ensure that we create a program that focuses on three things:

  • INTEGRATION – the combination of different transportation demand management and multi modal infrastructure is essential for not only maximizing greenhouse gas emissions, but also for cost effective investments in our communities. A Sustainable Communities Implementation Program that focuses on real projects and programs in communities would allow for innovative and integrated transportation solutions — for some communities that might be electric car sharing, others may need a central transit station, a bike trail that links across town, or a landscaped street to encourage walking. We need to empower local governments to figure out the best combinations of these investments and incentivize combined approaches because transportation is a “system” not a “silo.”
  • LAND USE – local land use planning is the most critical and most overlooked component in reducing transportation GHG emissions.  We need to take this window of opportunity to leverage sustainable changes in local land use plans, codes, and ordinances, by offering local governments much needed transportation funding that requires outdated land use plans to get a makeover. We have a critical opportunity to think about how transportation systems link and leverage land use. This is what “integration” is all about.
  • PEOPLE – we must keep in mind the cap and trade program impacts will essentially look like a new gas tax to consumers of all incomes and should keep a nexus with putting funding back into local transportation systems that serve all people — whether they be motorists, transit riders, bicyclists, or pedestrians (all of whom use some aspect of our roads). Current proposals for allocating cap and trade do not highlight the importance of this and need to include more funding for active transportation and roadway preservation. And we also must remember sustainable communities are ultimately about creating “people-oriented development” and places where families, seniors, and students all want to live, work, learn, shop, and play.  At the end of the day we want to create communities where people want to walk their dogs under tree lined streets, bike with their kids to a school nearby, take transit to work (and get there on time), and drive through roundabouts without potholes.

Cap and trade revenues will grow into billions of dollars per year in the next few years, so this source of revenue could provide the missing piece in achieving sustainable communities throughout California if done right.

But now is the time.

A performance-based approach to reducing GHG emissions is at the heart of cap and trade – it is a market mechanism geared toward innovation beyond what can be achieved purely through regulatory measures.  We have a real opportunity to use a unique funding source to re-create communities across the state.

We can do this through new sources of funding that are allocated at a regional level where the technical and policy expertise is greatest, and through competitive grants for local communities that are based on maximizing GHG reduction through combinations of transportation investments and land use changes needed to implement SB 375.

Lauren Michele, Principal/Founder, Policy in Motion.

Lauren earned a Master’s of Science degree from the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies after working as a transportation planning professional at Fehr & Peers, a climate change policy analyst at the Center for Clean Air Policy in Washington D.C., and an air quality program assistant at the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.  At the UC Davis Urban Land Use and Transportation Center (ULTRANS) she focused on the links between California’s Senate Bill 375 and developing federal climate/energy legislation and the transportation reauthorization.  Her academic work includes teaching undergraduate courses in Transportation Policy at UC Davis and experiential learning while living and researching multi-modal transportation planning in Europe.

Lauren currently serves as Policy Director for the Transportation Coalition for Livable Communities — an organization which includes the California Alliance for Jobs, California Transit Association, National Resources Defense Council, League of California Cities, State Association of Counties, and the Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Councils of Governments throughout the state. The Coalition promotes the investment of cap and trade revenue to address both the greenhouse gas reduction goals of AB 32 and critical transportation system maintenance and operation needs that build on the framework of SB 375 and other GHG reduction strategies.

Her firm, Policy in Motion, specializes in sustainable transportation policy.  Policy in Motion offers planning practitioners, policy makers, and public agencies an understanding of how to integrate sustainability policy into transportation infrastructure and land use decisions.  Lauren Michele’s 2011 book, “Policy in Motion: Transportation Planning in California after AB 32” explores the State’s evolving policies for sustainable living through transportation planning, and identifies how outdated regulatory frameworks must be aligned with supporting paradigm shifts if California is to move forward in a truly unified vision for “People-Oriented Development” and transportation.  Lauren’s 2012 film documentary, “Policy in Motion: Growing Beautiful Communities” continues to explore how an integrated approach to transportation planning and funding based on “People-Oriented Development” (POD) can improve community quality of life while meeting California’s environmental and economic goals. Policy in Motion’s book and film are available for purchase on-line at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and www.policyinmotion.com.

 

Categories
California Policy Complete Streets GHG Reduction Livable Communities Local Government Metropolitan Planning Modeling/Tools NewsFlash Public Health Public Transit Safe Routes to School SB 375 State Policy Sustainability Transportation Funding

Transportation Coalition for Livable Communities Cap and Trade Investment Proposal for CARB Workshops

Today the California Air Resources Board will be kicking off its first of three workshops on the development of the AB 32 Cap and Trade Investment Plan. On February 25th in Sacramento the Transportation Coalition for Livable Communities – which includes local/regional governments and transit/transportation agencies statewide – will be laying out a vision for how revenues generated from the state’s program could re-shape California’s urban and rural landscape through integrated land use and transportation investments that build on regional SB 375 and GHG reducing plans with competitive grants for local entities. This opportunity to fund beautiful communities would invest billions of dollars in both the critical transportation investments needed in existing communities, while leveraging local land use and policy changes needed to transform how transportation planning and implementation functions in California. This approach of combined land use strategies co-implemented with livable community infrastructure in the hearts of communities will yield significant long-term greenhouse gas reductions as well as numerous community benefits, such as improved public health, open space and habitat preservation, safe routes to school, and needed support for disadvantaged communities.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT:
-Show up for public support at the workshops tonight in Fresno from 5-8pm, Feb 25th in Sacramento from 3-6pm, or Feb 27th in LA from 4-7pm (location details below)
-Write a support letter with your organization’s logo. Click here to download a template letter to start, and email it to info@transfunding.org
-Submit your written support to CARB easily on their on-line form linked here

The Coalition’s program concept would allocate funds equitably to regional governments under statewide criteria to administer competitive grants to local entities – proposing combinations of investments, including transit service and operating costs, road and bridge maintenance, retrofits for complete streets and urban greening, and clean technology and other community infrastructure – all integrated with land use modifications to support regional plans.

The Transportation Coalition for Livable Communities has developed a series of principles included in a program concept proposal to CARB. You can download the program concept letter here. If you support this program concept please let CARB know that these core concepts should be considered for inclusion in their Investment Plan:

  1. Regional allocation of funds to ensure that every region of the state receives a fair share
  2. Favoring integration of land use strategies and transportation investments to achieve the highest GHG emission reductions.  Studies consistently show that combining transportation investments with complementary land use changes significantly increase the GHG emission reduction and co-benefits.
  3. Use a competitive process at the regional level, under criteria developed by the state, to prioritize local project proposals that co-implement transportation investments with land use changes that most cost effectively meet the goals of the program and further stimulate innovation and flexibility at the local and regional level.
  4. Improved modeling and verification systems for GHG evaluation to ensure effective results.

Members of the Transportation Coalition for Livable Communities

California Transit Association • League of California Cities  • California State Association of Counties • Self-Help Counties Coalition • California Association of Councils of Governments • Sacramento Area Council of Governments • Southern California Association of Governments • Metropolitan Transportation Commission • San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy Council • Transportation California • California Alliance for Jobs • Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

Date Location
5 pm – 8 pm:  

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Mariposa Mall Building – Room 1036 

2550 Mariposa Mall; Fresno

 
3 pm – 6 pm: 

Monday, February 25, 2013

 California Environmental Protection Agency,
Byron Sher Auditorium, 2nd floor
1001 I Street; Sacramento
This meeting will also be webcast.
http://www.calepa.ca.gov/broadcast/ 

 
4 pm – 7 pm: 

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

 Ronald Reagan Building – Auditorium
300 South Spring Street
Los Angeles

Materials (for all workshops):

 

 

Categories
California Policy Livable Communities Local Government State Policy Sustainability

Wishing You a Happy New Year from Policy in Motion!

A Gift for You!

What if the joy of the holiday season extended throughout the year and laid the foundation for community sustainability policy and planning? “Quality of Life” is a recent concept in the land use/ transportation/ environmental planning profession to depict how the creation of sustainable communities fosters individual “livability” — or happiness.  In an attempt to translate the abstract concept of “Livability Planning,” Lauren Michele has combined her graduate research on greenhouse gas reduction strategies and travel behavior policy with a vision for “People-Oriented Development” (POD) in the launch of a business and book — Policy in Motion.

Since the launch of my book in August, I have shared my technical research and “POD” vision with over 350 University students, emerging professionals, and leading experts — as well as over two dozen policy makers from the California Governor’s Office and State Legislature — all interested in more integrated sustainability planning at the local, regional and state levels of government.  Additionally, the book has been made available in the libraries of the State of California’s Department of Transportation, Energy Commission, and Air Resources Board for employees.

Policy in Motion is now certified as an Underutilized Disadvantaged Business Enterprisein the states of California and Nevada, and is seeking new partnership and creative opportunities with other private and public organizations across the Western United States and in Washington D.C.  Policy in Motion will also be expanding its Career Development Mentorship Program (Interns in Motion) in 2012 to include motivated high school students from downtown Sacramento to work together with undergraduate and graduate University student interns — to achieve this vision the organization is seeking shared office space opportunities.

“People-oriented development is a concept that goes beyond traditional planning concepts of promoting high density development near transit stations; rather, POD focuses on what makes people happy and how to offer existing neighborhoods job growth, community schools, places of gathering, quality travel, resource management, and housing diversity.  In a state that drives 800 million miles a day and spends ten percent of household income on cars, planning for PODs today will blossom beautiful communities tomorrow”
— Policy in Motion: Transportation Planning in California after AB 32

Download a free book sample of Policy in Motion’s highlights and have a beautiful holiday season! And don’t forget to check out the Policy in Motion Blog for the latest on all the planning acronyms to keep up with everything from performance based planning in MAP-21, LEED-ND, STARS; to webinars / events with APA, ULI, ASLA, SGC; for the scoop on regional/statewide planning under SB 375, SCS, RTP, CIB, HSR; and all the research / grant resource opportunities in between!

~  Lauren Michele  ~

Woman Business Owner & Author
530.848.4342 │lauren.michele@policyinmotion.com
Growing Beautiful Communities at www.policyinmotion.com

Categories
California Policy Local Government Metropolitan Planning NewsFlash SB 375

Sacramento APA and ASLA “Emerging Professionals” Groups Hosting Local Author December 1st

 

 

Interactive Program:

Transportation Planning in California after AB 32
The Sacramento Chapters of the American Planning Association Young Planner’s Group, together with the American Society of Landscape Architect’s Emerging Professional’s Group, is co-hosting an informative event exploring how recent transportation policy has transformed our professions. Lauren Michele, a young professional herself, principal, and owner of Policy in Motion will be the guest speaker.  Ms. Michele collaborates with government agencies and varied stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels to craft and implement transportation plans and regulatory frameworks that work toward community sustainability and people-oriented development. She recently published a book, Policy in Motion: Transportation Planning in California after AB 32, examining California’s planning initiatives post-AB 32 and in light of SB 375 and explores policy, politics, and changes to state law that can help to achieve sustainable communities and transportation systems.Date/Time: Thursday, December 1, 5:30-7:30pm 

Location:    American Institute of Architects Central Valley 1400 ‘S’ Street Sacramento, CA

Agenda:

  • 5:30-6:00pm – Social with refreshments and book signing
  • 6:00-7:00pm – Interactive presentation by Lauren Michele
  • 7:00-7:30pm – Q&A/group discussion

Let us know you’re coming, please RSVP to Tracey Ferguson, YPG Chair at ypg@sacvalley-apa.org Cost: FREE EVENT

Policy in Motion: Transportation Planning in California after AB 32 will be available for purchase at the event for 20% off retail price.

 

About the Author…. Since the passage of California’s Global Warming Solutions Act in 2006 (AB 32), Lauren Michele, Principal and Owner of Policy in Motion, has worked with government agencies and varied stakeholders from the local to federal level on crafting and implementing transportation plans and regulatory frameworks which work toward community sustainability and people-oriented development. A graduate of the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies, Ms. Michele’s research and strategic analyses have been utilized by the Federal Highway Administration; State of California Department of Transportation, Air Resources Board, Energy Commission, Strategic Growth Council, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research; as well as regional and local transportation planning agencies developing integrated land use and transportation sustainability plans.

Categories
California Policy GHG Reduction Local Government Metropolitan Planning NewsFlash SB 375 State Policy Transportation Funding

Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentive Program 2011 Request for Proposals

Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentive Program 2011 Request for Proposals

(This information is also online at http://sgc.ca.gov/planning_grants.html)

INTRODUCTION

On behalf of the Strategic Growth Council (SGC), the Department of Conservation manages competitive grants to cities, counties, and designated regional agencies to promote sustainable community planning and natural resource conservation. The grant program supports development, adoption, and implementation of various planning elements. The Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program offers a unique opportunity to improve and sustain the wise use of infrastructure and natural resources through a coordinated and collaborative approach.

2011 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Department of Conservation (DOC), Division of Land Resource Protection (DLRP), Planning Grant and Incentive Program has released the round two Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Request for Proposals (RFP) funded through the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Act of 2006 (Proposition 84). DOC has allocated approximately $18 million of Proposition 84 funds for round two. The funds awarded will support development, adoption, and implementation of Sustainable Community planning elements throughout the State, including, but not limited to, Climate Action Plans and General Plan amendments. The grants awarded from this solicitation will cover up to a three-year project period.  Grant requests for amounts from $100,000 to $1,000,000 will be considered.

APPLICATION PROCESS

DOC is utilizing the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST) system to facilitate the application and review process, and to conserve paper. All applicants submitting proposals for funding through this grant must submit a complete electronic application using the FAAST system, by 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday, FEBRUARY 15, 2012. Late applications will not be accepted.

The application process through the FAAST system can be accessed through the link:  https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov

The 2011 RFP, which describes eligibility, program requirements, the application process, and the evaluation criteria, is posted on the SGC website at: http://www.sgc.ca.gov/meetings/20111102/pgip-guidelines-2011.pdf.

For technical questions about the State Water Board’s FAAST application, please contact FAAST staff by phone at (866) 434-1083, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., or by email at faast_admin@waterboards.ca.gov

For questions regarding this grant solicitation, please contact the DOC Planning Grant and Incentive Program staff by phone at (916) 322-3439, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., or by email: SGCSustainableCommunities@conservation.ca.gov.

RFP WORKSHOPS

The DOC Planning Grant and Incentive Program Staff will hold workshops around the state in early 2012, with dates, times and locations to be announced.

HISTORY OF THE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PLANNING GRANT AND INCENTIVE PROGRAM

The SGC/DOC Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentive Program 2010 awarded projects can be reviewed at http://www.sgc.ca.gov/selected_apps_2010.html.

 

 

Categories
California Policy GHG Reduction Local Government SB 375

The Blogs are Out! SANDAG Adopts 2050 RTP and Sustainable Communities Strategy

Marking the first of California’s MPOs to release an RTP Update in a post SB-375 world, the SANDAG Board of Directors adopted the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy on Friday.  The Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) is a new element of the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), as required by Senate Bill 375 (SB 375). SB 375 requires that Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) prepare a SCS as a new element of their RTPs, along with the traditional policy, action, and financial requirements.

Below is a summary and commentary from PublicCEO’s Dan Oney and NRDC’s Amanda Eakin.

 

 

SANDAG Adopts 2050 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy

Written by  Dan Oney
October 31, 2011

On Friday, the SANDAG Board of Directors adopted the 2050 Regional Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy. The plans, which came after two years of research, revision, and public comment, represents the region’s balanced vision for the evolution of the San Diego area transportation system over the next 40 years.

“This RTP takes a balanced approach,” SANDAG Board Chair and Encinitas Deputy Mayor Jerome Stocks said. “It provides more transportation choices with an integrated system, it protects our environment, and it responsibly invests taxpayer funds.”

The 2050 RTP lays out a plan for investing an estimated $214 billion in local, state, and federal transportation funds expected to come into the region over the next 40 years.

The largest proportion of the funds will go toward transit, which will receive 36 percent of the funds in the first 10 years, with 34 percent going to highway improvements (largely for the addition of high occupancy vehicle lanes to existing freeway corridors), and 21 percent to local roads and streets. The percentage dedicated to transit will grow each decade, up to 44 percent from 2021 to 2030, 47 percent in the third decade, and 57 percent in the last decade of the plan.

Along with the 2050 RTP, the Board adopted the Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS). The SCS details how the region will reduce greenhouse gas emissions to state-mandated levels over time. The inclusion of the SCS is required by Senate Bill 375, and the San Diego region is the first in California to produce a regional transportation plan with an SCS.

The Board also adopted the Environmental Impact Report for the 2050 RTP and SCS. And the Board adopted the final Regional Housing Needs Assessment Plan.

The 2050 RTP calls for increasing transportation choices in the region through an integrated system, including vast improvements to transit and a transformed highway system that includes 130 miles of Express Lanes to accommodate carpooling, vanpooling, and transit. This new system also will:

  • Provide 156 new miles of trolley service
  • Expand and speed up COASTER service in the North Coast Corridor
  • Double transit service miles and increase frequency in key corridors
  • Dedicate $3.8 billion for regional and local bicycle and pedestrian projects
  • Create new carpool and telework incentive programs to reduce solo driving

The plan also preserves our natural resources and promotes smart growth. It will:

  • Meet state greenhouse gas reduction targets
  • Preserve more than half of our land as open space, parkland and habitat
  • Accommodate housing to meet projected population growth in San Diego County

And it maximizes investments to meet the funding challenges faced by the region as we work to accomplish our many goals. The plan:

  • Stimulates $4.4 billion annually in projected regional economic output
  • Creates 35,600 jobs per year in the San Diego region
  • Calls for equitable distribution of investments throughout the region

Amanda Eaken

San Diego Adopts Nation’s First Sustainable Communities Strategy

Written by Amanda Eaken

Posted October 28, 2011

Today the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) voted 14 – 1 to adopt the first Sustainable Communities Strategy to implement SB 375 in California. After hours of public testimony and debate, SANDAG Chairman Jerome Stocks summarized his thoughts on the day, and called for the vote.

“We are the first in the state, the nation, and possibly the world to adopt a Sustainable Communities Strategy, and that does matter.”

Since this summer, NRDC has been working with SANDAG to recommend improvements to the plan, and we are pleased to see that some of our recommendations have been incorporated into the final plan, and grateful to staff for their willingness to work with us, particularly at this late date. In particular, we are pleased to see SANDAG commit to adopt an early action measure for active transportation by next summer, to develop a transit-oriented development policy to ensure its $53 billion investment in transit leads to strong ridership gains, and to develop a complete streets policy. We also appreciate SANDAG’s commitment to evaluating alternative land use scenarios through its upcoming Regional Comprehensive Plan.

But we need a clear commitment from SANDAG that these scenarios will be integratedland use and transportation scenarios which will re-assess SANDAG’s transportation network— as the Air Resources Board itself has recommended–in order to reverse the backsliding in the out years of the plan.

As co-sponsor and drafter of SB 375, NRDC never once imagined that a region would be considered to have met its targets if the GHG reductions were temporary and eroded over time. AB 32 calls for permanent reductions. SB 375 implements AB 32. We are pleased to hear Boardmember Heebner commend staff for their commitment to “address and reverse the backsliding”, as well as invite us all to keep SANDAG honest in the months and years to come.  We will honor this request and ensure that through the Regional Comprehensive Plan and next Regional Transportation Plan, that SANDAG finds a way to make sure these critical pollution reduction gains are permanent. We also hereby commit to working with SANDAG to secure the necessary transit funding to make this goal a reality.

Following quickly on the heels of adoption of this plan, the Southern California Association of Governments, SANDAG’s neighbor to the north, will consider a preferred scenario for their SB 375 plan next Thursday November 3rd at 10:30 am. Stay tuned.

 

 

Categories
California Policy GHG Reduction Local Government Metropolitan Planning NewsFlash SB 375 State Policy Transportation Funding

CSG’s Sustainable California News :: SGC Strategic Plan; SB 375 Plans; Grants; Funding

 

Conservation Strategy Group’s “Sustainable California” News

Learn more at www.csgcalifornia.com

 

 

 

  • Strategic Growth Council Developing Strategic Plan
  • SB 375 Plans: California Air Resources Board Methodology for Reviewing Sustainable Communities Strategies
  • Regional Planning and Community Challenge Grants
  • State and Federal Funding Wizard – Prototype Released

 

Strategic Growth Council Developing a Strategic Plan

This year the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) has embarked on a strategic planning process to develop a set of specific goals, actions, and initiatives to guide their success over the next three years.  Facilitated by the Sacramento State Center for Collaborative Policy, the SGC has received input from over 100 individuals and 71 different organizations through interviews and focus groups.   On August 3, 2011 the Strategic Growth Council convened a large Strategic Planning Session where themes gathered from earlier interviews and focus groups were presented to and discussed by a broad group of stakeholders including members of the SGC.  The potential goals, actions, and initiatives discussed that day can be viewed here in the strategic planning session workbook.  Input received during the various forums will be drafted into a strategic plan in August.  The SGC is expected to release a draft strategic plan for public input in September and approve the final strategic plan at their meeting on October 5, 2011.

SB 375 Plans: California Air Resource Board Releases Methodology for Reviewing Sustainable Communities Strategies

The Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008, SB 375 (Steinberg), requires each of the state’s 18 metropolitan planning organizations (MPO) to develop a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) that demonstrates how the region will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) through integrated land use, housing, and transportation planning to meet the regional GHG emission reduction targets set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).   Each SCS will be reviewed by CARB to determine if the proposed strategy will meet the GHG emission reductions target set for the region.   Below is an overview of the approach CARB will use when reviewing the SCS’s.  Further detail on the methodology can be found by clicking here. 

 

Travel Demand Models:  CARB will examine which travel models are used, how they were applied in the development of the SCS, and whether and how the MPO used other tools to capture the impact of SCS policies on GHG emissions.  Additionally, CARB will study the models’ validation, calibration, and peer review process.

Model Inputs:  CARB will evaluate whether or not the data, assumptions, and calculations each MPO uses are appropriate for SCS modeling.  The model inputs will be evaluated based on publicly available sources of information (e.g. Institute of Transportation Engineers, Caltrans, Highway Performance Monitoring System, etc.).

Sensitivity Analysis:  Sensitivity analyses examine the effect that specific changes within a model will have on model outputs.  CARB will conduct sensitivity analyses on the most relevant variables or groups of variables to compare the results with empirical literature or other pertinent information to determine if the results fall within a reasonable range.

Performance Indicators:  CARB will review the following performance indicators to determine whether the projected regional changes in per capita vehicle miles traveled, land use patterns, and vehicle activity patterns are consistent with the change in GHG emissions:

  • Passenger vehicle miles traveled
  • Commute trip mode share
  • Residential density
  • Distance of housing and employment from transit stations
  • Bike and walk trips

 

The SCS will be included in the federally enforceable Regional Transportation Plan once adopted by the MPO.  If the contributions of the SCS do not meet the GHG emission reduction targets set by CARB, the MPO will be required to submit an “alternative planning strategy” to meet the target.  The “alternative planning strategy” will not be part of the Regional Transportation Plan.

 

Regional Planning and Community Challenge Grants – Notice of Funding Availability

The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development released their Notice of Funding Availability for Regional Planning and Community Challenge Grants.  Please see below for further details on each of the programs. 

 

Regional Planning Grant

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Regional Planning Grant program will encourage grantees to support regional planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure developments in a manner that empowers regions to consider how all of these factors work together to bring economic competitiveness and revitalization to a community.

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Pre-applications for the program are due on August 25th, 2011. Once communities are notified that they have been approved for the final application process, those applications will be due on September 26th, 2011.

 

CURRENT FUNDING AVAILABLE: $67 million, from which not less than $17.5 million shall be awarded to regions with a population of less than 500,000.

 

WEBSITE: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/grants/nofa11/2011grpscrplccg

 

Community Challenge Planning Grant

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Community Challenge Planning grant program will be competitively awarded to state, local, and tribal governments for efforts such as amending or replacing local master plans, zoning, and building codes to promote mixed-use development; building more affordable housing; and the rehabilitation of older buildings and structures with the goal of promoting sustainability at the local and neighborhood levels.

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE:   This program does not require a pre-application.  Final applications are due on September 9th, 2011.

 

CURRENT FUNDING AVAILABLE: $28.6 million, of which not less than $3 million shall be awarded to jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000

 

WEBSITE: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/grants/nofa11/2011grpscrplccg

 

State and Federal Funding Wizard – Prototype Released

Several state agencies, including the Strategic Growth Council, Air Resources Board, and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, as well as UC Davis have partnered on developing the Funding Wizard, a searchable database to locate funding across state and federal agencies for reducing the impacts of climate change and supporting sustainable communities.   

 

The prototype was released in June 2011 and can be accessed here:  http://www.coolcalifornia.org/funding-wizard#/wizard

 

In 2012, the Funding Wizard will be expanded to include additional funding opportunities, rebates, an online calendar, features for noticing upcoming grant deadlines and workshops, e-blast sign-up and automated distribution.

 

Sustainable California

Conservation Strategy Group manages Sustainable California as a forum for organizations and agencies to share information and identify opportunities for individuals and organizations to engage in urban sustainability policy development and funding programs, focusing on activities in California.

Conservation Strategy Group provides email updates on what’s happening at the Capitol and identifies opportunities to take action in support of urban sustainability. We have also established an online resource through which information could be shared.  Our hope is that the network would evolve over time so that participating organizations would also share information with each other.

This service is free and provided by Conservation Strategy Group.  For questions or comments, please contact Connie Gallippi at connie@csgcalifornia.com

 

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California Policy Federal Policy Local Government Metropolitan Planning NewsFlash State Policy Transportation Funding

CALCOG News: California State Budget and Federal Reauthorization Impacts on Transportation

Click here to join the California Association of Councils of Government

State Budget Snapshot

All it took to get a state budget was to assume that the state will see $4 billion more in revenue than we thought before. Easy. That equates to $2 billion in revenue for every week the Legislature did not get paid . . .

But CALCOG members will want to be aware of a few items.  First, the Gas Tax Swap deal remains in tact. Second, the governor used his line item veto authority to eliminate funding for 47.5 CalTrans positions to review impacts of local projects (PIDs) on the state highway system. He also eliminated nearly $150 M in Prop 1B appropriations to enhance local transit routes and feeder systems to high speed rail due to the lack of a comprehensive state rail plan. Also of interest to COGs with RHNA responsibility is the veto of funding for several HCD positions that review housing elements.

 

In addition, Counties were “disappointed but not disheartened” that Realignment lacks dedicated revenues and constitutional protections, and inversely, cities are fuming over the two-bill “extortion” scheme to take redevelopment revenues, which are arguably dedicated and constitutionally protected under Proposition 22.

Federal Reauthorization: Bridging a $300 Billion Gap

At a time when California is asking its MPOs and regional transportation planning agencies to do more, Congress may be planning on giving them less–significantly less. The story from Transportation Nation is that funding expectations are spiraling downward. Under the proposal unveiled by House Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Mica, funding for road and transit investment will be reduced by 35 percent.  See the summary or full outline.  Transportation for America has a concise summary and analysis here. In February, the Administration proposed $556 Billion investment plan over 6 years.  The Mica proposal is for $230 billion. Transportation Issues Dailyhas posted a list (developed by Democrats) that estimates losses on a state by state basis that projects a $7.2 billion loss for California. There is a Committee hearing on July 12, but no language.

 

So far, besides typical partisian criticism, much of the immediate reaction has balanced some praise for some of the streamlining with very significant concerns about funding levels. Transportation Issues Daily has summarized several key reactions here, including a somewhat surprising response from the US Chamber of Commerce arguing for more funding. For more reactions, substantive and trivial, you can search Twitter under the #hashtag: “Micabill” (for those unfamilar with the term, you can Google “hashtag;” for those unfamiliar with Google, get help!).

 

So what does this mean? Will there be a bill before Sept 30, the day in which the current authorization expires? Who knows? The DC Streetblog reports that consideration of any bill before the August recess is unlikely (its not strategic to vote on spending bill before resolution of the debt service issue).  But the National League of Cities reports that Congress is poised to take on the issue.  Hmmmm.

 

Meanwhile, Senator Boxer has proposed a two year, $109 Billion reauthorization at current funding levels (plus inflation) and claims it will save 600,000 jobs. A good explanation of both proposals can be found at the AASHTO Journal.

 

The only thing that seems certain is that the uncertainty related to these revenue streams will remain for the short term future, which has its own consequences in terms of planning and project delivery.