ECOS LETTER re Sacramento County Climate Action Plan, 11/6/2024

On Nov 6, 2024, ECOS submitted to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors a comment letter on the County of Sacramento Climate Action Plan, Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR).

The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) appreciates that County staff have developed a better Climate Action Plan than its 2022 version. However, we still have major concerns that must be addressed before we can support it.

Click here to read the letter.

ECOS Climate Committee Meeting feat. SACOG, 11/18/2024

SB 375 has been the “North Star” of regional climate action in California since Darrell Steinberg got it enacted sixteen years ago.
With half of State GHG emissions coming from vehicles, it requires State transportation funds to only go planning agencies (SACOG here) that show how they can fund transportation systems in a way that can achieve State-mandated GHG reductions.
This has been challenging, as we see Caltrans continue to expand freeways, and as Sacramento County supervisors continue to approve sprawl development.
After 16 years, a lot has changed — SACOG wants SB 375 to be paused until it can be revised.
On Monday, let’s hear why – from SACOG’s leader. And also – from an academic leader – should it be revised, and if so, how?

AGENDA

6 PM: Welcome and Introductions

6:10 PM: Why does SACOG want the State to pause its SB 375 target setting process?
CA Senate Bill 375 (Steinberg, 2008) provides the framework for reducing GHG emissions, requiring the Air Resources Board to set regional targets: for SACOG, 19% per capita vehicle GHG emission reduction, from 2018 to 2035. CARB is now working on establishing future targets for CA regions. In his last “State of the City” address, Sacramento Mayor Steinberg cited SB 375 as a notable legislative achievement.

  • James Corless, Executive Director, Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) will explain why he (and other regional planning agencies) asked CARB to pause its SB 375 target. Link to letter: https://calcog.org/why-are-mpos-seeking-a-pause-on-sb-375-target-setting
  • Amy Lee, postdoctoral scholar at UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies, will provide a perspective. Amy studied with UC Davis Prof. Susan Handy in Transportation Policy, including study of regional transportation planning and induced travel. Amy previously worked at SACOG.

7:20 PM: Q&A, Discussion

7:50 PM: Updates
• Lawsuits over Caltrans’ plan to add lanes to I-80 in Yolo County
• Sacramento County Climate Action Plan, & County’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force
• ECOS’ work with SacRT to highlight benefits of public transit
• Election Recap – Sacramento Region

Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155
To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155

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.

SB 867, Allen. Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024

July 10, 2024

This bill would, if approved by the voters in November, authorize the issuance of $10 billion in State General Obligation bonds to finance projects for to improve the climate resiliency of California.

It would provide funding for safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience, wildfire and forest resilience, coastal resilience, extreme heat mitigation, biodiversity and nature-based climate solutions, climate-smart, sustainable, and resilient farms, ranches, and working lands, park creation and outdoor access, and clean air programs. Bonds will also be provided for projects that promote sustainable agriculture, protect biodiversity, and increase outdoor access. This bill reflects the need for comprehensive funding that reflects the many ways climate change is affecting our lives. By investing in our collective future now, we will protect public health and promote environmental stewardship for future generations.

In the Sacramento region, SB 867 will provide specific funding for urgently needed measures — $150M to improve levees and flood protection in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; $50M dollars for the Wildlife Conservation Board to support salmon reintroduction to the Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds; $21M for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy. These measures will help protect one of the most impacted ecosystems in our state, in addition to benefits Sacramento may receive from bonds that are allocated more broadly.

Click here to read the ECOS letter thanking Assemblymember Kevin McCarty.

Click here to read the ECOS letter thanking Assemblymember Angelique Ashby.