SB 535 (DE LEON): SOLVING POLLUTION &

POVERTY

Vien Truong, Esq. The Greenlining InstituteTwitter: @viendettavient@greenlining.org

Marybelle Nzegwu, Esq.Public Advocates Inc.Twitter: @MB4Justice

mnzegwu@publicadvocates.org

The Climate Gap

• Reach 1990 levels of GHG by 2020

• Encouraged state to direct revenues to disproportionately impacted communities

• CA’s Air Resources Board (CARB) created a scoping plan to meet the AB 32 goals

• Scoping Plan included cap and trade

AB 32 (2006) Global Warming Solutions Act

Directs cap and trade revenues to areas of state most impacted by climate change:

• 25% benefit disadvantaged communities

• 10% in disadvantaged communities

Co-benefits:

1. Clean up air pollution2. Improve public health3. Increase mobility4. Economic growth5. Create new jobs, and more.

SB 535 (de Leon, 2012)

SB 535 & AB 1532 amassed 200 supporters from environmental justice, green, health, business, labor, immigrant, housing,

transportation & faith organizations, and local elected leaders

SB 535 COALITION

$272M Total(32% of the

total revenues)

Near-Term Priority GHG Reduction Programs & Funding in FY 14-15 Budget

$2.237 B25% = $559M

LEADING WITH EQUITY BENEFITS EVERYONE

.

Inequality is Bad for the Environment &

Economy.

Invest to meet the priority needs of

underserved communities.

When underserved communities thrive, there is a beneficial

multiplier effect.

DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY BENEFIT TOOL

Does the investment avoid substantial burdens?

Are low-income residents or households the primary beneficiaries?

Are the benefits significant?

Will the investment meet an important community need?

TAKE THE BUS HOME, TO SCHOOL, WORK, MARKET &

REDUCE GHG/CO-POLLUTANT EMISSIONS

Lower-income Californians are the core ridership of our transit systems; For the transit dependent, buses provide dense service coverage within and between neighborhoods and connect riders with all of their possible destinations.

WORLD-CLASS PUBLIC TRANSIT

Investments in affordable units for Low Income, Very Low Income and Extremely Low Income households result in greatest reductions of VMT and help meet a significant unmet need.

Affordable Housing near transit in high-opportunity locations, such as areas with good schools and near jobs-centers, helps increase access to opportunity AND is a highly-effective GHG reduction method.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ALL