Climate Change
Background
Background
The transportation sector is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state of California, with a contribution of 38%. Assembly Bill 32, California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, sets forth a requirement for the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
Senate Bill 375 - Sustainable Communities Strategy
Senate Bill 375 - Sustainable Communities Strategy
In September 2008 Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 375 (SB 375), also known as the Sustainable Communities and Climate Change Act of 2008, as the mechanism established to implement passenger vehicle greenhouse gas reductions outlined in AB 32.
Under SB 375, BCAG, as the region's Metropolitan Planning Organization, has been designated by the state to develop the area's "Sustainable Communities Strategy" (SCS). The SCS will include a regional land use plan and transportation network that accommodates the region's projected housing need while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Click Here to view BCAG's 2012 Sustainable Communities Strategy page.
Under SB 375, BCAG, as the region's Metropolitan Planning Organization, has been designated by the state to develop the area's "Sustainable Communities Strategy" (SCS). The SCS will include a regional land use plan and transportation network that accommodates the region's projected housing need while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Click Here to view BCAG's 2012 Sustainable Communities Strategy page.
Senate Bill 226 - CEQA Streamlining for Infill Projects
Senate Bill 226 - CEQA Streamlining for Infill Projects
In October 2011 Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 226 (SB 226). SB 226 updates the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines to set forth a streamlined review process for infill projects. The updates implemented by SB 226 also contains performance standards that will be used to determine an infill project's eligibility for the streamlined review.
The Governor's Office of Planning & Research (OPR) has prepared an online web page containing additional information regarding SB 226, including links to the portions of CEQA updated along with the performance standards. Click here to view OPR's SB 226 web page.
BCAG has prepared and online web map containing the locations of "low vehicle travel areas" within the Butte County Region. The map was developed with information from BCAG's regional travel demand model and the 2012 MTP/SCS. Click here to access BCAG's SB 226 - Low Vehicle Travel Area web map.
The Governor's Office of Planning & Research (OPR) has prepared an online web page containing additional information regarding SB 226, including links to the portions of CEQA updated along with the performance standards. Click here to view OPR's SB 226 web page.
BCAG has prepared and online web map containing the locations of "low vehicle travel areas" within the Butte County Region. The map was developed with information from BCAG's regional travel demand model and the 2012 MTP/SCS. Click here to access BCAG's SB 226 - Low Vehicle Travel Area web map.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Information
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Information
The link below provides information for member jurisdictions and others who may be interested in alternative fuel vehicle "best practices" related to saving energy and reducing GHG emissions through AFV use. For more information contact the BCAG offices.
Complete Streets
Complete Streets
Complete streets are roadways which have been designed to allow for the safe access of all users including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law on September 30th, 2008 Assembly Bill 1358, the Complete Streets Act of 2008. The act draws a clear connection between complete streets and climate change, as the act states:
"According to the United States Department of Transportation's 2001 National Household Travel Survey, 41% of trips in urban areas nationwide are two miles or less in length, and 66% of urban trips that are one mile or less are made by automobile.
Shifting the transportation mode share from single passenger cars to public transit bicycling, and walking must be a significant part of short and long-term planning goals if the state is to achieve the reduction in the number of vehicles traveled and in greenhouse gas emissions required by current law."
The law requires, commencing January 1, 2011, that cities and counties, upon any substantive revision of the circulation element of the general plan, to include a plan for a balanced, multi-modal transportation network in a manner suitable for the respective setting in rural, suburban, and urban contexts.
The Governor's Office of Planning and Research has been charged with developing and adopting guidelines for the preparation of the circulation element which incorporates the act. The law requires that the guidelines be adopted no later than January 1, 2014.
At the Federal level, the Complete Streets Act of 2009 was introduced into the US Senate and House in March 2009. The Federal Act would require states and Metropolitan Planning Organizations, such as BCAG, to adopt policies to ensure that future road investment take into account the complete streets concept.
Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law on September 30th, 2008 Assembly Bill 1358, the Complete Streets Act of 2008. The act draws a clear connection between complete streets and climate change, as the act states:
"According to the United States Department of Transportation's 2001 National Household Travel Survey, 41% of trips in urban areas nationwide are two miles or less in length, and 66% of urban trips that are one mile or less are made by automobile.
Shifting the transportation mode share from single passenger cars to public transit bicycling, and walking must be a significant part of short and long-term planning goals if the state is to achieve the reduction in the number of vehicles traveled and in greenhouse gas emissions required by current law."
The law requires, commencing January 1, 2011, that cities and counties, upon any substantive revision of the circulation element of the general plan, to include a plan for a balanced, multi-modal transportation network in a manner suitable for the respective setting in rural, suburban, and urban contexts.
The Governor's Office of Planning and Research has been charged with developing and adopting guidelines for the preparation of the circulation element which incorporates the act. The law requires that the guidelines be adopted no later than January 1, 2014.
At the Federal level, the Complete Streets Act of 2009 was introduced into the US Senate and House in March 2009. The Federal Act would require states and Metropolitan Planning Organizations, such as BCAG, to adopt policies to ensure that future road investment take into account the complete streets concept.
Contact Us
Contact Us
If you have questions regarding transportation related climate change activities in the Butte County region, please contact Brian Lasagna, Regional Analyst at (530) 809-4616 or via e-mail at blasagna@bcag.org.
