Category Archives: Climate Change Committee

Sierra Club and ECOS Sue Caltrans over Yolo I-80 Freeway Widening Project

On May 29, 2024, the Sierra Club and the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) filed a lawsuit against Caltrans alleging legally inadequate environmental analysis of the I-80 freeway widening project through Yolo County. The lawsuit’s goal is to stop Caltrans from widening 17 miles of the I-80 freeway from six to eight lanes between Davis and Sacramento through the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area until Caltrans conducts a valid analysis of adverse environmental impacts threatened by the project and implements appropriate mitigation for these harmful effects.

Click here to view our press release.

Click here to view the petition.

Other environmental groups filed suit too.

ECOS and Partners Testimonies at City of Sacramento Hearing re 2040 GP & Climate Action & Adaptation Plan 2/25/2024

The Sacramento City Council is expected to adopt its 2040 General Plan and Climate Action & Adaptation Plan and certify the Final Master Environmental Impact Report on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Please attend this important meeting.

ECOS/Partners testified on the Natomas Basin aspects of the General Plan Update to the City’s Planning and Design Commission on Thursday, January 25th, 2024. Watch our comments on the Natomas Basin aspects of the General Plan Update in the recorded video, here.

The 2040 General Plan

The General Plan is the City’s blueprint for how and where it will grow over the next 20 years. It contains policies that guide everything from the type of homes available, to jobs, transportation, environmental justice, public safety and much more. This major update has been focused on managing growth sustainably and equitably in ways that benefit the whole community, increasing opportunity and prosperity for all.

The Climate Action & Adaptation Plan

The Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP) establishes Sacramento’s greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target for 2030 and 2045, and positions Sacramento to reduce GHG emissions while adapting to projected climate change impacts.

More Info

To learn more about the Sacramento 2040 Project, including links to draft documents, please visit www.sac2040gpu.org.

ECOS Climate Committee meeting 12/21/2023

Thursday, December 21, 2023 – 6 PM start (Zoom)
Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155
To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155

6:00 PM: Welcome and Introductions

6:10 PM: Alberto Ayala, Executive Director, Sacramento Metro Air Quality Management District (AQMD) – will discuss applying for federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG), and the recent COP28 meeting in Dubai.

  • The AQMD is working with agencies in our 7-county Sacramento region to develop a regional greenhouse gas (GHG) plan to include all desired climate pollution reduction strategies. The CPRG program provides $5 billion in grants to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing GHG emissions, authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act; pre-proposals are due Feb. 1. At a recent joint meeting of SACOG, SMUD, SMAQMD, and SacRT boards, Alberto discussed the idea of converting biomass utilization (from agriculture and forest thinnings) to green hydrogen fuel and sequestered biochar.
  • At COP28, the final global agreement calls for transitioning away from fossil fuels.

7:00 PM: Updates and Announcements

Caltrans started construction on the I-80 Yolo Causeway between Sacramento and Davis. Caltrans released a draft EIR (Environmental Impact Report) for the larger project: adding lanes to the causeway. Comments are due January 5.

Sacramento County: “Notice of Preparation” released for “Subsequent Environmental Impact Report” for a revised Climate Action Plan: January 10 meeting to discuss; comments due Jan. 31. Also, their Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force is preparing to send recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for building electrification, air quality, and transportation.

Sacramento City: moving ahead with existing building electrification, and a Climate Action & Adaptation Plan. The City Council voted to move ahead with a Missing Middle Housing approach that would eliminate single-family zoning in its 2040 General Plan.

Click here to view the agenda in PDF.

ECOS Climate Committee meeting 11/16/2023

ECOS Climate Committee meeting
Thursday, November 16, 2023 – 6 PM start (Zoom)
Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155
To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155

6:00 PM: Welcome and Introductions

6:10 PM: Timothy Irvine-Alavi (Chair, Sacramento County Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force) –
will report on the Task Force’s progress on recommendations to County Supervisors to be presented this winter. These result from their Energy Technical Advisory Panel (especially existing building electrification), their Transportation Technical Advisory Panel, and their Outreach and Education Subcommittee.

6:40 PM: Tamie Dramer (Executive Director, Organize Sacramento) –
will present polling results for a possible November 2024 ballot initiative for affordable housing.

7:00 PM: Updates and Announcements

  1. Caltrans has started construction on the I-80 Yolo Causeway between Sacramento and Davis. On Monday, Nov. 13, Caltrans is scheduled to release a draft EIR (Environmental Impact Report) for the larger project – Adding lanes to the causeway. Let’s discuss possible comments due next month.
  2. Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Plan, Nov. 9 joint meeting SACOG, SMUD, SMAQMD, SacRT boards: to secure $ billions for climate initiatives (like ZEV deployment). Pre-proposal due Feb. 1, 2024 to US EPA. (e.g.: forest biomass conversion to green hydrogen fuel and sequestered biochar)
  3. New ECOS contract with SacRT for Educational Outreach and Communication Support Services

Click here to view the agenda in PDF.

ECOS Climate Committee Meeting 10/19/23

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 at 6:00 pm

LINK to join: ECOS ZOOM 6656164155
or call: 1 669 900 6833, Mtg ID: 665 616 4155

Please note that this meeting will not be recorded.

Jeanie Ward-Waller, former Caltrans’ Deputy Director of Planning and Modal Programs

6:00 Welcome and Introductions

6:10 Presentation:
Jeanie Ward-Waller was demoted last month, after she notified Caltrans officials that she would file a whistleblower complaint about Sacramento-area highway expansion projects allegedly circumventing environmental rules.

Here are some of the latest updates on the situation:

Coalition letter calling on Gov. Newsom to hold Caltrans accountable to his climate vision, October 17, 2023

The widening of I-80 works against California’s climate goals | Opinion, By Stephen M. Wheeler and Barbara Leary, Special to the Bee, The Sacramento Bee, October 17, 2023

A Caltrans executive questioned a freeway expansion. Then she was demoted, Rachel Uranga, LA Times, October 13, 2023

Editorial: California’s transportation spending doesn’t match its climate promises, LA Times, October 10, 2023

Breaking: California Transportation Official Demoted for Opposing Highway Expansion, Asia Mieleszko, Strong Towns, October 10, 2023

6:30 Discussion/Q&A

7:00 Updates and Announcements

This meeting is open to everyone interested in addressing some of our region’s most pressing challenges.

Click here for the agenda in PDF.