Greenhouse Gas
Streetsblog LA
Governor’s Budget Earns High Marks, But Active Transportation Shutout from Cap and Trade Funds
Yesterday, Governor Jerry Brown officially unveiled his budget after days of speculation and leaked reports to newspapers. One of the highlights of the budget is how Brown proposes to spend the "Cap and Trade"* funds. Last year, the state borrowed against these funds to fill a gap in the general operating budget. This year, with $100 million "borrowed" from last year returned, the Cap and Trade allocation was a cool $850 million for projects that will improve air quality through green energy initiatives.*
January 10, 2014
Golden State Could Be Sitting on Livable Streets Gold Mine
(The debate over how to spend the state's cap-and-trade funding source was already hot last year. This year, it could become one of the largest transportation stories in the state, competing even with High Speed Rail. As such, Streetsblog L.A. welcomes op/ed pieces on how to best use those funds. Email ideas to damien@streetsblog.org - DN)
January 7, 2014
Gov. Brown Could Sign Bill to Help Finance Sustainable Development in CA
Governor Jerry Brown is poised to sign a bill that would enable cities and counties in California to finance regional smart growth plans and sustainable transportation improvements through the creation of Sustainable Communities Investment Authorities.
August 9, 2013
Why You Should Be Angry About CA’s “Highest Gas Tax in the Country”
I know it's tempting to gloat.
July 1, 2013
Brown’s Budget Sends Cap and Trade Funds to Black Hole of General Fund
When California passed it's land-mark Greenhouse Gas reduction laws in 2006, residents and businesses were assured that funds raised through the controversial "cap and trade" program would be invested in programs and projects that would further reduce emissions.
May 15, 2013
Metro Takes a Stand on Cap and Trade Funds: Spend Them on Sustainable Transportation
As part of today's Metro Board meeting, the Board of Directors passed a motion calling on the state's Air Resources Board to spend funds collected through the state's cap and trade program on sustainable transportation funding.
March 28, 2013
Advocates, TransForm, Move L.A. Demand that Cap and Trade Funds Go For Cleaner Transportation
When California created a "cap and trade" system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions statewide, it was widely agreed the funds raised would be spent on programs that reduce these emissions in their own right. With nearly 40% of the state's greenhouse gas coming from the transportation sector, it makes sense for a hearty investment in active transportation and transit.
February 28, 2013
NRDC/Move L.A. Push Governor on Smart Growth Bill, Praise Regional Plans
Over the last year, three large regional transportation authorities have passed regional transportation plans that tie together transportation, land use, greenhouse gas emissions and public health mandated by S.B. 375 in 2008. Today, a new study by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Move L.A. praises the Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego regional planning areas for passing these plans and promotes legislation that could make future plans even better.
September 24, 2012
AG Joins Lawsuit Against Highway-Friendly “Transit Plan” in San Diego
When the San Diego Association of Governments passed its regional transportation plan, which will direct transportation spending in the region for decades, the agency hailed the plan as a national model. This was the first plan passed that followed the standards of SB 375, the California environmental law that set greenhouse gas reduction targets based on transportation and development planning.
January 27, 2012
California’s Climate Laws Undermined by Weak Transpo Policies, Investment
A new report from NRDC and Smart Growth America -- which examines what all 50 states are doing to curb greenhouse gas emissions from transportation -- lauds California as the most progressive state on policy, but points out that its transportation and spending priorities don't match the bold blueprints, particularly as it relates to public transit.
December 15, 2010