10/6/08-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill to tie greenhouse gas reduction to transportation funding and regional land-use planning.
The new law, previously SB375, is intended to reduce global warming emissions by drawing up regional plans to reduce miles driving by commuters. Also, most transportation funding will be routed solely to “smart growth” projects.
The new law requires the California Air Resources Board to set targets to reduce greenhouse emissions from motor vehicles for each region of the state by 2010. The state’s 17 metropolitan planning associations will be responsible for adopting a plan to meet the goals.
To entice cities and counties to adopt a “smart growth” plan, the only developments that will be eligible for shares of state transportation money will be those that are built near transit or clustered near current developments.

9/9/08-The Legislature has approved a bill that would tie greenhouse gas reduction to transportation funding and regional land-use planning. The bill now awaits clearance to advance to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk.
Sponsored by Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, SB375 is intended to reduce global warming emissions by drawing up regional plans to reduce miles driving by commuters. Also, most transportation funding would be routed solely to “smart growth” projects.
The California Air Resources Board would be required to set targets to reduce greenhouse emissions from motor vehicles for each region of the state by 2010. The state’s 17 metropolitan planning associations would be responsible for adopting a plan to meet the goals.
To entice cities and counties to adopt a “smart growth” plan, the only developments that would be eligible for shares of state transportation money would be those that are built near transit or clustered near current developments.
For bill status, call (916) 319-2856.