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