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Climate Change and CA
Misguided and Expensive Regulations (Part 2 of 2) :
Just this past week, a field study was released
showing that Antarctic ice shelves are not melting,
as previously claimed. In fact, a whole website is
dedicated to evidence that global warming has been
hyped: http://wattsupwiththat.com/ Yet,
California still follows its mission to allegedly
protect the planet while committing economic
suicide.
In 2006, California passed AB 32, the “California
Global Warming Solutions Act.” The Act directed the
California Air Resources Board (CARB) to adopt a
statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits equivalent
to those of 1990 and to achieve that target by 2020.
The Climate Change Scoping Plan is CARB’s “roadmap”
for achieving the state’s 2020 emissions limit. E
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that
electrical rates could increase by as much as 15
percent as utilities rush to renewable energy power
sources to comply with the law. According to a
January article by Pete Peterson of Pepperdine's
School of Public Policy, UC Berkeley biogeochemist
Margaret Torn used detailed models of power grids to
extrapolate the necessary infrastructure changes
California would need to make to meet these goals.
Her findings, published in the November issue of Science concluded
that by 2020 every Californian would have to be
driving an electric car powered by the 1.5 new
nuclear plants per year that California would have
to build between now and 2050. First the legislature
would have to approve the new nuclear plants
(unlikely.)
In 2010 under Proposition 23, Californians had a
chance to postpone implementing AB32 until statewide
unemployment fell below 5.5 percent for a full year,
but California voters voted it down.
In 2008, the CA legislature passed SB 375, the
“Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act
of 2008.” This Act requires 18 regional
transportation planning agencies (or “metropolitan
planning organizations”) to adopt plans to reduce
auto and light truck emissions in consideration of
statewide greenhouse gas emissions goals. The
regional agencies are comprised of local elected
officials: city council members and members of
boards of supervisors from the region. Cities and
counties outside of the boundaries of the 18
metropolitan planning organizations may still
voluntarily adopt policies and programs to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions through their land use and
transportation planning activities. The Institute
for Local Government provides Climate Action and
Sustainability Best Practices Framework as a guide: http://www.ca-ilg.org/climate-action-sustainability-best-practices
Strategies include: more efficient vehicles;
increase in the use of low-carbon fuels to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles and light
trucks; and reduction of vehicle miles traveled. The
18 metropolitan planning organizations are required
by the act to plan land use patterns in their region
to encourage the use of mass transit, to cluster
housing near work and to eliminate urban sprawl. The
law requires that each metropolitan planning
organization develop a “sustainable community
strategy .” ICLEI (International Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives) often provides template
language for such plans.
AB 857, is a law that requires the Governor to
submit annually to the Legislature a proposed five
year infrastructure plan needed for schools and
agencies. Each proposal must specify how the request
is consistent with statewide priorities. These
include: the promotion of infill and equity;
protecting and preserving the environment and
undeveloped lands; the encouragement of efficient
development patterns minimizing costs to taxpayers
to provide services.
SB 391, passed in 2009, adds new requirements to
the state’s long-range transportation plan to meet California’s
climate change goals under Assembly Bill 32.
Caltrans has prepared a state level transportation
blueprint focused on the state’s role with regards
to the interregional movement of people and goods,
which is complementary to regional transportation
plans and land use visions. This includes a vision
for the high-speed rail authority.
The California Interregional Blueprint will also
integrate the state’s long-range plans with
Caltrans-sponsored programs including: the regional
Blueprint planning program; smart Mobility
framework; complete streets; California essential
habitat connectivity project; and the climate action
program. Habitat Connectivity Project: (large file) http://www.scwildlands.org/reports/CEHC_Plan_MASTER_030210_3.pdf
Interregional Blueprint:http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/californiainterregionalblueprint/about_cib.html
SB 732, established the “Strategic Growth
Council” funded through water and flood control bond
money. The Council coordinates programs of state
agencies to improve
air and water quality; improve natural resource
protection; increase the availability of affordable
housing; improve transportation; meet the goals of
the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006;
encourage sustainable land use planning; and
revitalize urban and community centers in a
sustainable manner. The council is required to
manage and award grants and loans to support the
planning and development of sustainable communities,
including general plan elements.
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