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<br />8A <br />Page 5 <br /> <br />. Establishment of Regional Transportation-Related Greenhouse Gas Targets. In <br />September, Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggersigned Senate Bill 375 {Steinberg. Chapter <br />728, Statutes of 2008) which establishes mechanisms for the development of regional <br />targets for reducing passenger vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. The Plan states that 5 <br />million metric tons of emissions will be reduced as a result of transportation related <br />planning programs, or almost 3 percent of the total needed to achieve AB 32's 2020 <br />target. This number. however, is a placeholder as the Plan states that the total target .will <br />ultimately be determined during the SB 375 process.- <br /> <br />. Adopt Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Efficiency Measures. The Plan suggests <br />requiring aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance retrofits of medium and heavy-duty <br />vehicles to improve fuel efficiency. It also suggests hybridization of medium and heavy- <br />duty vehicles, specifically those used in urban, stop-and-go applications to achieve <br />increased fuel efficiency. <br /> <br />. Expand the Use of Green Building Practices fo Reduce the Carbon Footprint of <br />California's New and Existing Inventory of Buildings. The Plan pulls from a number of <br />areas to produce greenhouse gas savings through buildings that exceed minimum <br />energy efficiency standards, decrease consumption of potable water, reduce solid waste <br />during construction and operation. and incorporate sustainable materials. The Green <br />Building strategy under the Plan also includes siting considerations-noting that buildings <br />that are sited close to public transportation or near mixed-use areas can work in tandem <br />with transportation-related strategies to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Local <br />governments are encouraged under the Plan to adopt "beyond-code" local green building <br />requirements. <br /> <br />Additionally, the Plan anticipates the State Building Standards Commission will adopt a <br />mandatory code in 2011 which will institute minimum environmental performance <br />standards for all occupancies. The Plan also envisions green building zero-energy targets <br />in the future. Furthermore, the Plan recommends the establishment of an enVironmental <br />performance rating system for homes and commercial buildings and further recommends <br />that California adopt mechanisms to encourage and require retrofits for buildings that do <br />not meet or exceed minimum standards of performance. <br /> <br />. Reduce Methane Emissions at Landfills. Increase Waste Diversion, Composting and <br />Commercial Recycling. Move Toward Zero-Waste. The Plan recommends reduction in <br />landfill methane, through the Discrete Early Action measure for landfill methane control. <br />This measure is expected to be presented to the ARB Board for approval at their January <br />2009 Board Meeting. The Pian also suggests policies like Extended Producer <br />Responsibility and environmentally Preferable Purchasing along with commercial <br />recycling and increased production and markets for compost to achieve higher levels of <br />recycling and promotion of zero-waste goals. <br /> <br />What's Next? <br /> <br />Rulemakings and other regulatory actions outlined in the Plan and noted above will take place <br />over the next two years. Under AB 32, the Plan must be in place by January 2009, and measures <br />outlined in the Plan must be in place by January 2012. League staff will continue to update its <br />membership over the next two years through League list serves, Priority Focus, and through <br />League policy committees dealing with climate change issues. <br /> <br />S8 375 Conference Scheduled For Nov,13 <br /> <br />City officials are inVited to attend Building Forward: Creating a Sustainable California and Fighting <br />Global Warming with SB 375 in San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 13. Authored by Senate <br />President-Elect Darrett Steinberg and signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger innSeptember. SB 375 connects transportation funding and land use planning to reduce greenhouse <br />gas emissions while protecting local land use control. <br /> <br />5 <br />