Comment Log Display

Mary Nichols
Chair, Air Resources Board
1001 "I" Street
P.O. Box 2815 
Sacramento, CA 95812

Dear Chairwoman Nichols and members of the board: 

We urge you to adopt the comprehensive recommendations from the
Regional Targets Advisory Committee (RTAC) at your November 19,
2009, meeting.  Crafted by a representative group of stakeholders
and your able staff, the RTAC report carefully balances greenhouse
gas reduction goals with social equity considerations of the
impacts on lower-income Californians. 

As you know, the Rent Board tries to sustain at least - limited by
powerful forces in opposition - at least some measure of affordable
rental housing.
People invested in their living space, feeling secure where they
are, that they can pay for it, can live in it as long as
necessary/desired take good care of their environment. The feeling
of citizenry empowerment enables conscientious behavior, even going
an 'extra mile' , maybe even in the form of voluntary monetary
expenditure, to maintain the better living arrangement that
benefits themselves and their neighbors, including Earth.
Obviously different living circumstances are essential in order to
avail opportunities for conscientious living; good job
opportunities close to home is the most difficult, especially since
so much work - jobs - depend on polluting behavior themselves.  But
we need to think in broad views rather than contain our
considerations to the narrow range allowed us by the present
production system - so much of which is based on that hugely
destructive fundamental, growth.
Growth relates to profit by a few people.  Our outlook is for care
for most of us by most of us, including gentle care of Earth. If
you are able to include this idea in your work you will do much to
contribute to whatever salvation possibilities still exist.

Although supportive of the report as a whole, we urge your
particular consideration of the following recommendations:     

1.	Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) should update their
data collection and modeling to quantify the greenhouse gas
reduction impacts of housing affordability, gentrification, and
jobs-housing fit.  As defined in the report, "jobs-housing fit" is
the extent to which the rents and mortgages in a community are
affordable to people who work there.  In theory, a stronger
jobs-housing fit should allow Californians to reduce their commute
times and distances.  However, this link needs to be tested and
quantified, as do the links between home affordability generally
and gentrification.
2.	Performance measures for the sustainable communities strategy
should include the jobs-housing fit and 5 other housing-related
measures.    
3.	MPOs' progress in meeting goals should be measured through
modeling and other sound scientific approaches.
4.	The co-benefits of greenhouse gas reductions should be measured
and reported. 
We appreciate your consideration of our views.     

Sincerely, 
Jack L Harrison