Transcript Iwasaki - Developing Strategies to Address Climate Change

Climate Change in California
Randell H. Iwasaki
Chief Deputy Director
California Department of Transportation
On the Cutting Edge
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We're already
developing
comprehensive
regulations to deal with
Climate Change.
We’re establishing
precedents for
national action.
Because, well, we’re
CALIFORNIA!
Overview
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Some history…
At the planning level
Adaptation
Project level analyses
Departmental activities
California Actions
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Executive Order S-305: Established GHG
emission reduction
targets and the
Climate Action Team.
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1990 levels by 2020
(25% below business as
usual)
80% below 1990 levels
by 2050.
California Actions
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AB 32: The Global Warming Solutions Act
of 2006:
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Establishing a first-in-the-world comprehensive
program of regulatory and market mechanisms to
achieve real, quantifiable, cost-effective
reductions of greenhouse gases.
2020 goal of 1990 GHG emissions
Automobile emissions standards (at EPA…)
Low Carbon Fuel Standard
and other requirements…
AB 32 - Climate Change
www.climatechange.ca.gov
Climate Change Planning Process
(AB 32)
AB 32
(2006)
• Restore GHG
emissions to
1990 level
-169 MMT GHG
30% of needed GHG
reduction is from
Transportation
(50 – 60 MMT per year)
Early Actions &
Adopted Strategies
• Low carbon fuel standard
• Greater fuel efficiency
• Departmental Action Plans
• Many others…
- 72 MMT GHG (43%)
Scoping Plan
(2009)
TBD
• Cap and trade…
- 97 MMT (57%)
Caltrans Climate Action Plan (2006); http://www.dot.ca.gov/climateaction.htm
Transportation GHG
Reduction Strategies
High Speed Rail
1.60%
Percent of 63 MMT GHG Goal
4.00%
Truck Efficiency
5.90%
Goods Movement
Land Use*
7.20%
Vehicle Efficiency
7.20%
SB 375
23.80%
Low Carbon Fuel Standard
Emissions Reductions (upcoming…)
50.40%
0%
*Land Use has greater impact
In achieving 2050 goals
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
SB 375 (Steinberg)
A conformity-like approach:
 Regional greenhouse gas
emissions targets from California
Air Resources Board (CARB)
 MPOs do approved traffic and
emissions analysis, and develop a
“Sustainable Communities
Strategy” (SCS) as part of their
Regional Transportation Plan
 Land use and transportation
projects that meet SCS goals SCS
get a pass on climate change
analysis.
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Pre-existing FSTIPs are
grandfathered
Signed by Governor
Schwarzenegger 9/30/08
Regional Greenhouse
Gas Emissions Targets
(mid-2010)
Sustainable Communities
Strategy by MPO
Transit-oriented
and infill
Projects
CEQA
exemption &
$ incentives
Climate Adaptation
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Some permitting agencies
are requiring project level
review for sea level rise
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Governor’s office is
developing a sea level
“standard”
State agencies are
developing “Adaptation
Strategies”. Due in early
2009.
See Potential Impacts of
Climate Change on U.S.
Transportation, TRB Special
Report 290.
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http://onlinepubs.trb.org/
onlinepubs/sr/sr290.pdf
One sea level rise scenario
showing SFO under water…
Climate Change at the Project
Approval Level
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The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
may require climate change impact analyses.
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(CEQA is analogous to NEPA)
Some out of court settlements…
2007 exemption for climate change analyses for
Bond Projects
Proposed CEQA regulation by the beginning of
2010. (Drafts by Summer 2009.)
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We’d like to see a programmatic approach rather than
project-by-project
Sac-50 HOV Lane
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HOV / busway project into downtown Sacramento
Gap in CEQA exemption allowed us to be sued.
Judge ruled (July 2008):
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Need to do more GHG emissions analysis. Can we make a
“significance” call?
Need to work with planning partners to update transit analysis
Caltrans may appeal…
Project Level Issues:
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Cumulative impacts – what’s the standard?
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Some advocate NO increase in GHG
If so, do construction emissions preclude the use of
CEs???
What is de minimis?
We are looking for a legislative fix or we must do a
programmatic document.
Also commenting on CEQA update…
What is appropriate mitigation?
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GHG emissions: Carbon sequestration? Increased
efficiency?
Adaptation: design for new sea level. Hydrology?
Department Direct Emissions
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We've joined CA Climate
Registry to document our
emissions and progress.
We are reducing our Carbon
Footprint.
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State requirement is at least
LEED Silver for new buildings
Retrofitting old buildings to meet
20% energy reduction
Piloting a 50% increase in
telecommuting
Employee transit use is
subsidized
Reducing energy usage on our
facilities
We are working on our fleet
efficiency
Also reducing CO2 generated by
cement
Summary: What to Expect?
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Biggest change since NEPA (and CEQA)
Tiered implementation
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Regional GHG emissions approach
Adaptation Plans
Project level analyses
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Early actions
Changes in transportation and land use
Cap and Trade
GHG emissions and mitigation
Adaptation
Work on your direct Carbon Footprint
Climate Change in California
Randell H. Iwasaki
Chief Deputy Director
California Department of Transportation