The League of California CitiesResources to Promote “Better Transportation”

Eric FigueroaRegional Public Affairs Manager

East Bay DivisionOctober 23, 2012

Our Strategic Goals

• The League’s Regional Approach for 2012– Build Strong Partnerships for a Stronger

Golden State. Collaborate with other public and private groups and leaders to reform the structure and governance, and promote transparency, fiscal integrity, and responsiveness of our state government and intergovernmental system.

Regional Approach

• Our Focus is Regional – Yet Still Local– The League is Committed to Local Decision

Making– Our Members Want Incentive Based Approach to

Issues– The League Serves a Wide Variety of Members,

but We Can All Agree We Want a Better Community

– The Issue is How . . . And it is Never One Size Fits All

SB 375

• Ground Breaking Legislation Changed the Way California Addresses Climate Change.

• The League Did Support SB 375, but it was a Hard Fought Decision.

• One of SB 375’s Crucial Elements is That Once a Target is Established, the Regions Have Flexibility in Determining How They Will Achieve their Respective Targets.

• The State’s Only Role is for the Air Resources Board to Agree or Disagree with the Region on Whether the Region’s Plan will Achieve the Targeted Reduction — not to Micromanage the Methods and Strategies Developed by the Region.

Our Guiding Principle

• Preserving regional flexibility and local control was a critical factor for the League, business groups, homebuilders and other organizations in the final agreement on SB 375.

• As regions move forward with developing and implementing Sustainable Communities Strategies they need flexibility to develop plans that reflect local realities, which are now even starker.

• The best hope for progress is to focus on the practical challenges faced by local agencies and the marketplace and working to develop the financial and other resources to match desired goals.

• This is Where Cities and Counties are Critical Partners with Advocacy Groups – We Really Do Need to Work Together

Beyond Advocacy - Education

• The League is Committed to Education in All Areas That Impact Communities– Education Via Our Policy Process

– But More Importantly, Education via Our Research Arm: The Institute for Local Government

ILG – Resources to Support You

• ILG’s Climate Action and Sustainability Best Practices Framework - 10 Best Practice Areas for Local Agenices Including:

• Energy Efficiency & Conservation• Water & Wastewater Systems• Green Building• Waste Reduction & Recycling• Climate-Friendly Purchasing• Renewable Energy & Low-Carbon Fuels• Efficient Transportation• Land Use & Community Design• Open Space & Offsetting Carbon Emissions• Promoting Community & Individual Action

Practical Examples

• ILG’s Climate Action and Sustainability Examples for Inspiration and Replication– Focus on Results in the 10 Key Areas.

– Greenhouse Gas Reduction Samples

– Climate Action Plan Samples

– A Bay Area Specific Page

Climate Action Resource Page

• Beyond Best Practices and Examples are Information Sharing Pages

– Specific Items in Each of the 10 Best Practice Areas for Local Agencies

ILG Awards of Recognition

• The Beacon Award: Local Leadership Toward Participating in the Voluntary Beacon Award Program Provides Local Agencies and Their Leaders with Positive Recognition for Saving Energy, Conserving Resources, Promoting Sustainability and Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

• The Beacon Program Shines a Bright Light on Accomplishments for Residents, Colleagues and Others.

League of California Cities

• Recap

– We Are Looking to Work with Other Regional Entities to Promote Positive Climate Change Ideas.

– Guided by Our Core Principal of Local Control

– Maintain a Research Arm to Facilitate Learning Among our Members in City and County Government

• Questions?