Wild and Scenic Film Festival Sacramento 2017 – Films
Thursday, September 28th, 2017. Doors Open at 6:00 pm, Films run from 6:30 pm-9:30 pm
24th Street Theater at the Sierra 2 Community Center (2791 24th St, Sacramento, CA 95818)
Tag Archives: Sacramento Region
ECOS’ Comments on the 2017 SB 375 Update
July 28, 2017
The Environmental Council of Sacramento, along with Organize Sacramento, the Sacramento Housing Alliance, the Planning and Conservation League, Mogavero Architects, 350 Sacramento and the California Bicycle Coalition submitted our collective comments on the recent update to SB 375, The Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008. Below are our opening comments, with a link to the letter in full.
Dear Chair Nichols, Air Resources Board Members, and Staff:
In 2004, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) adopted the Blueprint. This plan provided vision for how the region would integrate land use and transportation planning to curb sprawl, reduce vehicle emissions, and cut down on traffic congestion to improve quality of life. This is to be accomplished by encouraging a sufficient variety housing options close to jobs, schools, and other critical community amenities. The adoption of the Blueprint—and subsequent Metropolitan Transportation Plans/Sustainable Communities Strategies (MTPs/SCSs)—has made SACOG a leader in the state and the nation in its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and build more equitable communities.
While we support the recently adopted MTP/SCS, we also believe there is tremendous room to improve the plan. We believe that neither the SB 375 target recommendations made by SACOG staff (-18%) or Air Resources Board (ARB) staff (-19%) represent the full GHG reduction potential from improved land use and transportation behavior in the Sacramento region. Considering the substantial amount of greenfield development anticipated in the current SACOG MTP/SCS and the extremely low densities of the existing urban footprint, we feel that a stronger GHG reduction target is very feasible.
Read our full comment letter by clicking here or on the image of the letter below.
Photo: Smog over LA – is this what we want for the Sacramento region?
Sprawl Control Ballot Initiatives Introductory Discussion
If you are interested in stopping urban sprawl please come to a meeting to discuss possible ballot initiatives on Wednesday, June 28th, 2017, 6:00pm – 7:30pm at Mogavero Architects, 2012 K Street, Sacramento, CA.
Background: Low-density sprawling suburban communities cause automobile dependency and large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as many other negative impacts on our communities. Redirecting growth into existing neighborhoods has synergy in many areas of social, economic, and environmental aspects of daily living. Currently there is zoning for nearly 120,000 new single family homes already approved in the Sacramento region, not counting the much larger number of residences that can be built on empty lots in existing neighborhoods. Nonetheless, Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove, Folsom, Roseville, Placer County, El Dorado County, and Sacramento County are working to approve development for over 50,000 new single family homes in remote areas.
This Meeting: the purpose of this meeting is to gauge the level of interest in undertaking a campaign to run ballot initiatives to control sprawl boundary and urbanization expansions by regional cities and counties over the next few years. If you would like to stop this egregious violation of the public trust and public value giveaway to land speculators please join us.
Volkswagen emissions fraud sleuth chosen to head Sacramento air agency
By Tony Bizjak
May 25, 2017
The Sacramento Bee
Alberto Ayala, a state air pollution executive who helped uncover Volkswagen’s massive diesel cheating scandal, has been named head of the Sacramento region’s air quality efforts.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District board voted on Thursday morning to name Ayala its executive director, replacing retiring executive Larry Greene.
Ayala, a deputy executive officer at the California Air Resources Board, launched the state’s initial review of diesel engines in 2012 that lead to the discovery that Volkswagen had illegally programmed millions of its vehicles internationally, including in California, to pass emissions tests.
Bizjak, Tony. “Volkswagen emissions fraud sleuth chosen to head Sacramento air agency.” Sacbee. SacBee, 25 May 2017. Web. 26 May 2017.
Meet the New CEO of SACOG, James Corless
Join the Environmental Council of Sacramento – ECOS for our May ECOS Board Meeting! Everyone who is interested is welcome. Bring a friend!
Monday, May 15, 2017
Location: SEIU Local 1000, 1325 S St, Sacramento, CA 95811
5:30 pm Reception
Please come and meet and socialize with ECOS Board Members and guests. Light appetizers and refreshments served. Feel free to bring something to share.
6:00 pm Meeting Begins
Come meet James Corless, the new Chief Executive Officer of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG)!
Come meet the new chief executive of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) on Monday, May 15th with ECOS! James Corless is a public transit and smart growth advocate and the founding director of Transportation for America.
SACOG is the region’s chief transportation planning agency. Learn more about them here: http://www.sacog.org/
Transportation for America is an alliance of elected, business and civic leaders from communities across the country, united to ensure that states and the federal government step up to invest in smart, homegrown, locally-driven transportation solutions. Learn more about the organization here:http://www.t4america.org/
“James Corless is the founding director of Transportation for America, where he built an impressive national network of civic, elected, and business leaders who understand that strategic investments in infrastructure are crucial for attracting economic development.” – SACOG http://www.sacog.org/post/james-corless-begins-ceo-appointment
After the discussion, ECOS Committees will report on their current business. Announcements from members and attendees are welcome at the end, as time allows.
