Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act
Issue: Ensuring a Sustainable Future
Target Level of Office: State
Policy Origin: California State Legislature
Poilcy/Bill Number: Senate Bill 375
Link: www.YEONetwork.org/2013policy/?i=211
Summary Narrative of the Policy: This chaptered law integrates a sustainable community strategy
and environmental review into transportation planning and funding at the state level.
Relevant Talking Points & Important Information:
• California is a leader in green, sustainability initiatives. Sustainable Communities and
Climate Protection Act, or SB 375, is the nation’s first legislation to link transportation and
land use planning with global warming. According to the NRDC, California’s SB 375 is an
important step toward a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous California.
• In order to ensure smart and sustainable growth, state programs should align with
state development principles and goals. To that effect, California tied environmental
sustainability metrics into its funding model. This law requires the California Air Resources
Board (CARB) to establish regional goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions across
all economic sectors, including land use and transportation. Each of the 17 metropolitan
planning areas in California will have specific emissions reduction targets for 2020 and
2035, and all funding decisions for all regional transportation projects must align with the
regional planning agencies plans to meet the aforementioned emissions goals.
• By placing additional levels of scrutiny into infrastructure and funding planning, the state
ensures that regional projects take a comprehensive look at needs, program efficacy,
and environmental impact before proposing new costs or projects while maintaining air
quality, emissions, and fossil fuel usage targets.
Policy
2014 Book
State Level
35