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Comment 68 for Public Input on Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds (investmentplan-ws) - 1st Workshop.
First Name: Valerie
Last Name: Brown
Email Address: suzsmith@sctainfo.org
Affiliation: Chair, SCTA/RCPA
Subject: Public consultation on investment of cap and trade auction proceeds
Comment:
June 12, 2012 Mary Nichols, Board Chairman California Air Resources Board P.O. Box 2815 Sacramento, CA 95812 RE:Public consultation on investment of cap and trade auction proceeds Dear Ms. Nichols: The Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) and Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA) appreciate the opportunity to comment on the proceedings related to use of cap and trade auction proceeds. The SCTA serves as the countywide transportation planning and funding agency in Sonoma County. In that capacity the SCTA has been actively engaged in numerous efforts to reduce GHG emissions from the transportation sector. The RCPA is a legislatively created, countywide body of local government officials charged with coordinating and implementing climate change activities throughout Sonoma County and to advocate on issues relevant to the role of government and the reduction of GHG emissions. The SCTA and RCPA share a Board of Directors made up of local elected officials from each of the 10 jurisdictions in Sonoma County. In response to the May 24, 2012, public consultation meeting held in Sacramento, the SCTA/RCPA would like to offer comments from both a transportation and local government perspective on the two questions posed. How can California effectively invest the auction funds to meet the goals of Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) including support of long-term, transformative efforts to improve public health and develop a clean energy economy? The SCTA/RCPA recommends the following principles when considering expenditure of the auction funds: 1.The Air Resources Board should, working in conjunction with other State and local government agencies, develop a multi-year expenditure plan to outline the priorities for the use of cap-and-trade revenue. The expenditure plan should include objectives and performance measures that link the expenditure of funds to reduction in greenhouse gas emissions based on certain criteria. 2.The expenditure plan should seek to enhance or maximize other benefits to California, including improved mobility, livability, public health, economic vitality and social equity. 3.Transportation Sector: a.Given the importance of reducing emissions in the transportation sector, a significant amount of anticipated revenue should be directed towards projects that reduce transportation-related emissions. b.This objective would enhance the implementation of Senate Bill 375 (SB375) and encourage the linkages between transportation, land use, housing and healthy communities as well as connectivity between modes of transportation. c.The expenditure plan should provide direct investment into transportation infrastructure, operations and maintenance with an eye toward integrating those investments into a true user-friendly system that is not just automobile-reliant. 4.Energy Sector: a.Energy efficiency, renewable energy and the water/energy nexus represent the key areas where emission reductions can be derived from the energy sector and the built environment. b.The objective of minimizing emissions from the built environment will encourage comprehensive long term planning as well as lead to innovations in land use planning, zoning ordinances and building codes. In addition, retrofitting our existing buildings and systems can be done more immediately to provide emission reductions. c.The expenditure plan should continue and expand upon existing efforts such as Energy Upgrade California, zero carbon water, Build it Green, property assessed clean energy programs and other incentive and financing tools that target retrofitting buildings and systems and planning for the future built environment. 5.Conservation Sector: a.Protecting the natural environment and critical resources while preparing to adapt to climate change impacts are the flip side of addressing the built environment. b.The objective of addressing conservation and adaption needs should include open space protection, investment in working forests, river parkway development, wetland protection and development, bio-char options to address vegetative waste and a number of other nature-based investments that lead to significant GHG benefits. c.The expenditure plan should engage and fund local governments to develop and implement conservation efforts that help protect our critical resources and address adaptation issues. 6.The expenditure plan should build upon the many diverse efforts currently underway to implement emission reduction projects and programs. There are excellent examples from all of the sectors and at all levels of government. 7.The expenditure plan should direct funds to local government to serve as implementers on behalf of the State. What criteria should be prioritized in the development of an investment plan for auction funds and why? The SCTA/RCPA recommends the following criteria be considered in the development of an investment or expenditure plan: 1.Deliverability – can a project, program or policy be implemented quickly and provide benefits both immediately and over the long term? 2.Measurable benefits – does a proposed project, program or policy demonstrate quantifiable reductions in emissions? 3.Geographic equity – will rural, suburban and urban areas see equitable benefit from the expenditure plan? 4.Diversity – are needs and values of different communities addressed when it comes to prioritizing projects, programs and policies? 5.Balance – how will a project, program or policy balance economic value with environmental benefit to maximize mobility, livability, public health, economic vitality and social equity? Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to working with you throughout this process. Sincerely, Valerie Brown Chair, SCTA/RCPA CC:Sonoma County Legislative Delegation SCTA/RCPA Board of Directors
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2012-06-22 08:37:27
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