California Mobility Center to boost state climate goals, local economy through new Sac State facility, Thursday, August 8, 2024, CapRadio

By Gerardo Zavala | Thursday, August 8, 2024 | CapRadio

What is the California Mobility Center?

According to the master plan, the mobility center will provide future mobility innovators and industry leaders with access to programs and resources that accelerate the pace of commercialization.

The Environmental Council of Sacramento — a nonprofit corporation with a mission of achieving regional sustainability, livable communities, environmental justice and a healthy environment for Sacramento residents — held a talk Wednesday evening via Zoom with the center’s CEO, Orville Thomas, to discuss how the center will help the region achieve climate goals while also boosting the local economy.

Click here to read more.

Will Sacramento freeways get multiple express lanes like planned? Judges will decide

By Tom Philp | July 31, 2024 | The Sacramento Bee

Asked last year why Caltrans ignored the SACOG alternative, spokesman Dennis Keaton said, “A multiple express lane alternative was never requested by SACOG to be analyzed.” Yet examining alternatives is the law. Complying with regional plans is also in Caltrans’ guidelines. Environmental groups have made these glaring weaknesses the basis of lawsuits filed in Alameda County Superior Court. The groups include the Sierra Club, the Environmental Council of Sacramento, PCL, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Center for Biological Diversity.

Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/article290584834.html#storylink=cpy

Airport South Industrial Project: Review by experts, July 17, 2024

Sierra Club, Friends of the Swainson’s Hawk and ECOS submitted expert opinions to the City of Sacramento and LAFCo on the draft Environmental Impact Report for the Airport South Industrial Project. The legal opinions are those of Patrick Soluri, Soluri Meserve, a Law Corporation, expert comments on transportation issues prepared by Daniel Smith (Exhibit 1) and expert comments on biological resource issues prepared by Shawn Smallwood, PhD (Exhibit 2).

Click here to view the letter in full.

Airport South Industrial Project: The position of ECOS, July 31, 2024

On July 31, 2024, ECOS submitted a letter to Sacramento-area Elected Officials, Executive and Planning Staff regarding our position on the proposed Airport South Industrial Project for the parcel south of I-5 in Natomas Basin.

Below is an excerpt.

This project would require annexation of farmland into the City and construction of all infrastructure. It will cause great harm to the integrity of the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan, existing preserves, wildlife, and to the Natomas community and school children. It should not be approved.

Click here to read the letter in full.

Review by experts of the Airport South Industrial Project

Sierra Club, Friends of the Swainson’s Hawk and ECOS submitted expert opinions to the City of Sacramento and LAFCo on the draft Environmental Impact Report for the Airport South Industrial Project. The legal opinions are those of Patrick Soluri, Soluri Meserve, a Law Corporation, expert comments on transportation issues prepared by Daniel Smith (Exhibit 1) and expert comments on biological resource issues prepared by Shawn Smallwood, PhD (Exhibit 2).

Click here to view the letter in full.

Sacramento promised to require community benefits from developers. Has the city followed through? July 24, 2024, The Sacramento Bee

In 2021, the city of Sacramento promised to require real estate developers pursing major construction projects to provide benefits to local neighborhoods. More than two years after the draft law was initially reviewed by the city council, negotiations remain in limbo — with advocates having awaited next steps from the city for almost six months.

Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/news/equity-lab/accountability/article290207904.html#storylink=cpy