Tag Archives: Community

Decarbonizing California’s Transportation – Is It Working? 7/17/2025

The transportation sector is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and threatens healthy air quality in communities. What is working and not working in California? Join us for an update of strategies to improve it, and examples of local transportation decarbonization efforts.

Environmental Council of Sacramento Climate Change Committee Meeting: July 17, 2025
Decarbonizing California’s Transportation – Is It Working?
Hybrid meeting: On Zoom and at Mogavero Architects, 1322 T St., Sacramento
Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155 | To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155
6:30 PM: Social period (for those in-person) / 7:00 PM: Welcome and Introductions, Zoom start

7:10 PM: California’s Climate Goals Are in Jeopardy! Neil Matouka, Net-Zero California

California’s ambitious decarbonization goals rely on several federal, state, and local implementation policies. This makes our goals vulnerable, given the change in federal administration, and the unpopularity of certain necessary actions at the regional and local levels. Neil Matouka will show us an indicators dashboard for statewide tracking of our climate goals (ZEVs, Renewable Portfolio Standard, land conservation, etc.), and show climate impact resources available to support decision makers and community members.

At Net-Zero California, Neil manages its Clean Power program, developing and implementing data-driven policies to address climate change challenges. Neil launched California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment at the Office of Planning and Research, and served as the Air Resources Board’s Local Government Climate Action Planning Liaison, working with communities to develop climate solutions and transition to an equitable, low-carbon future.

7:30 PM: Communities Matter! – Environmental imperative, safety imperative, socioeconomic imperative. Larry Rillera, California Air Resources Board

Larry Rillera will present key clean transportation regulations and incentives, and give examples – such as Sacramento’s Green Technical Education and Employment. Larry will also discuss outreach and engagement, and how we can get ready for an upturn.

At the Air Resources Board, Larry serves on interagency teams and public-private-partnership ventures, engaging with communities, tribes, and businesses to decarbonize the transportation sector, including heavy-duty vehicles. At the California Energy Commission, Larry developed financing solutions for solar panel manufacturers, electric vehicle charging stations, and ZEV manufacturing. He has also developed career pathway programs at schools and with community-based organizations.

7:50 PM: Join the discussion!
Questions will include:

  • What are opportunities and barriers to decarbonize the transportation sector?
  • What is the state of environmental justice in this work?
  • How can we at ECOS (and others) get involved?

After Q&A, we’ll have updates and announcements (open to all).

Click here to view the agenda (in PDF).

Big Day of Giving 2025

“The environment is where we all meet, where we all have a mutual interest. It is the one thing all of us share.”
-Lady Bird Johnson

Get ready…get set…and give!

By giving to ECOS, you empower us to keep building a more sustainable, just, and livable region for all. Your support helps break down environmental inequities, strengthen communities, and bring together people and organizations committed to real change.

Your gift clears the air, plants the seeds, and lights the trail toward a better future.

Be the spark that guides us forward!

You can find our donation page for Big Day of Giving at: https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/organization/Ecos

Interested in knowing how your donation will be put to action?

Your contribution funds will help support ECOS volunteers and staff in the areas of policy analysis, legal action, administration, and site maintenance related to the following goals:

  • Protect open space in Natomas from proposed development.
  • Win Yolo-80 lawsuit so that Caltrans follows SB743 and SACOG’s Blueprint on future projects.
  • Expand the public transit network within Sacramento County.
  • Build relationships with high schools for the Environmental Justice Team.
  • Urge Sacramento County to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through better land use toward infill and away from new greenfield/sprawl developments.
  • Conduct our South Sacramento Park 99/infill study.
  • Ensure our region’s climate action plans are comprehensive and meet state laws and goals.
  • Work to achieve a beneficial Water Forum Agreement 2.
  • Ensure environmental/equity concerns are met in multiple multiyear water supply projects.
  • Increase support for a Natural Lands Campaign Resolution for better management of natural areas within urban parks.
  • Craft a strategy for implementing California’s 30×30 initiative in the SACOG Region.
  • Protect Blue Oak Woodlands from harm from a solar field development in east Sacramento County.
  • Continue resistance to the huge Delta conveyance project.

Golden 1 Credit Union Returns!

When you donate during Big Day of Giving using a Golden 1 Credit Union debit or credit card, gifts can be matched by Golden 1 Credit Union — up to $100,000 distributed proportionately!

**If your Apple Pay or Google Pay is connected to your Golden 1 debit or credit card that also counts towards the donation matching.

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Sacramento’s council never approved an expansion study. Why did it happen? April 1, 2025, The Sacramento Bee

By Tom Philp | April 1, 2025 | The Sacramento Bee

Now opponents are crying foul before a decisive vote over this expansion proposal on Wednesday before the Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission, also known as LAFCO. They have good reason: This has all the fingerprints of Howard Chan, now the former city manager of Sacramento, acting yet again as if he was as powerful as the mayor when he most certainly was not.

Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/article303190516.html#storylink=cpy

New! Streets for People Draft Plan – Comments due 4/6/2025

New! Sacramento’s Streets for People Draft Plan is out! We want to make it easier for everyone to choose walking, rolling, or biking for the short trips they take every day.

Sacramento’s Streets for People Draft Plan is available for review through April 6. You can comment on the Plan in the link below or by sending staff a comment.

Part two will include completing the Streets for People Active Transportation Plan, with the public review of the Draft Plan available March 5 through April 6, and Plan adoption in summer 2025.

Comment on the draft plan at sacstreetsforpeople.org.