Contra Costa County

Climate Leaders

Reducing VMT and GHG Emissions:

Tools & Resources

Ian Peterson, Environmental PlannerBay Area Air Quality Management District

October 23, 2012

Bay Area Air QualityBay Area Air QualityManagement DistrictManagement District

Regional air pollution control agency

– Created in 1955– Jurisdiction spanning 9 Bay Area counties– 22 member Board of Directors

Programs to reduce regional air pollutant levels

– Stationary source permitting and regulations– CARE program

– Climate Protection program

– Incentive programs to reduce vehicular emissions

– Local and regional agency collaboration

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Bay AreaClimate Action Planning

Bay AreaClimate Action Planning

Update

•2009 thru 2011 26 CAPs adopted (total)

18 in Progress

•2011 thru 2012 33 CAPs adopted (total)

100 Community GHG inventories

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BAAQMDPerspective

BAAQMDPerspective

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The Air District’s Role in Reviewing and Commenting on Climate Action Plans (CAPs)

•Climate protection added to the Air District’s mission statement in 2009

•Global warming impacts local air quality

•Air quality co-benefits from reducing GHGs

Works with local jurisdictions to develop CAPs by providing technical assistance and review draft materials. To date, 15 letters sent and are available on the Air District’s CEQA website.

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Transportation, Land Use, Air Quality, & GHGs

Transportation, Land Use, Air Quality, & GHGs

• Major Sources of Air Pollutants

• Opportunities & Challenges

• Mobile Sources (on & off-road)

Transportation, Air Quality,Land Use, & GHGs

Transportation, Air Quality,Land Use, & GHGs

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A well located and designed infill project may generate 40% to 75% less VMT than the typical suburban development. This reduction can be attributed to:

•Maximizing the use of available land

e.g. neighborhoods are walkable and more attractive

•Easing access to public transportation

e.g. housing is located within walking distance to mass transit

•Having shorter and fewer vehicle trips

e.g. daily errands can be made without driving

•Locating housing closer to jobs

e.g. multiple forms of transportation are available and convenient

• Collaborative effort among CA Air Districts

• Reflects most recent literature and research

• Body of evidence to support quantification

• Contains fact sheets for over 90 measures

• To satisfy environmental review standards

available at www.capcoa.org

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CAPCOA Report CAPCOA Report BackgroundBackground

GHG QuantificationGHG Quantification - All - All

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GHG QuantificationGHG Quantification- Transportation- Transportation

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GHG QuantificationGHG Quantification- Transportation- Transportation

The Typical Fact Sheet:

•Detailed•Complex

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Transportation Demand Management Tool

Transportation Demand Management Tool

BAAQMD developed a tool that…

•Streamlines the TDM calculations

•Easy-to-use interface

•Maintains transparency

•Underwent separate validation & recalibration processes

Oriented towards providing a better understanding of strategies that reduce dependency on vehicular travel.

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Transportation DemandManagement Tool

Transportation DemandManagement Tool

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Tool Demo

Potential UsesPotential Uses

Can be used for a variety of applications:• Residential development• Commercial/Retail development• Mixed-use development• Specific or Master Plans (however limited)

Useful as project-level planning tool for CEQA for a variety of people:

• Environmental consultants• Land use planners• Air quality district staff• Land use developers• Decision-makers

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Thanks!Thanks!

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Ian PetersonEnvironmental Planner

Bay Area Air Quality Management District

(415) 749-4783

ipeterson@baaqmd.gov