Climate Change in California

Randell H. IwasakiChief Deputy DirectorCalifornia Department of Transportation

On the Cutting Edge

We're already developing comprehensive regulations to deal with Climate Change.

We’re establishing precedents for national action.

Because, well, we’re CALIFORNIA!

Overview

Some history… At the planning level Adaptation Project level analyses Departmental activities

California Actions

Executive Order S-3-05: Established GHG emission reduction targets and the Climate Action Team. 1990 levels by 2020

(25% below business as usual)

80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

California Actions

AB 32: The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: Establishing a first-in-the-world comprehensive

program of regulatory and market mechanisms to achieve real, quantifiable, cost-effective reductions of greenhouse gases.

2020 goal of 1990 GHG emissions Automobile emissions standards (at EPA…) Low Carbon Fuel Standard and other requirements…

AB 32 - Climate Change

www.climatechange.ca.gov

Climate Change Planning Process (AB 32)

AB 32 (2006)

• Restore GHGemissions to1990 level

-169 MMT GHG

Early Actions &Adopted Strategies

• Low carbon fuel standard• Greater fuel efficiency

• Departmental Action Plans• Many others…

- 72 MMT GHG (43%)

Scoping Plan(2009)TBD

• Cap and trade… - 97 MMT (57%)

30% of needed GHGreduction is from Transportation(50 – 60 MMT per year)

Caltrans Climate Action Plan (2006); http://www.dot.ca.gov/climateaction.htm

50.40%

23.80%

7.20%

7.20%

5.90%

4.00%

1.60%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Emissions Reductions (upcoming…)

Low Carbon Fuel Standard

Vehicle Efficiency

Land Use*

Goods Movement

Truck Efficiency

High Speed RailPercent of 63 MMT GHG Goal

Transportation GHGReduction Strategies

SB 375

*Land Use has greater impactIn achieving 2050 goals

SB 375 (Steinberg)A conformity-like approach: Regional greenhouse gas

emissions targets from California Air Resources Board (CARB)

MPOs do approved traffic and emissions analysis, and develop a “Sustainable Communities Strategy” (SCS) as part of their Regional Transportation Plan

Land use and transportation projects that meet SCS goals SCS get a pass on climate change analysis. Pre-existing FSTIPs are

grandfathered Signed by Governor

Schwarzenegger 9/30/08

Regional GreenhouseGas Emissions Targets

(mid-2010)

Sustainable CommunitiesStrategy by MPO

Transit-orientedand infillProjects

CEQA exemption & $ incentives

Climate Adaptation Some permitting agencies

are requiring project level review for sea level rise Governor’s office is

developing a sea level “standard”

State agencies are developing “Adaptation Strategies”. Due in early 2009.

See Potential Impacts of Climate Change on U.S. Transportation, TRB Special Report 290. http://onlinepubs.trb.org/

onlinepubs/sr/sr290.pdf

One sea level rise scenarioshowing SFO under water…

Climate Change at the Project Approval Level The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

may require climate change impact analyses. (CEQA is analogous to NEPA) Some out of court settlements…

2007 exemption for climate change analyses for Bond Projects

Proposed CEQA regulation by the beginning of 2010. (Drafts by Summer 2009.) We’d like to see a programmatic approach rather than

project-by-project

Sac-50 HOV Lane

HOV / busway project into downtown Sacramento Gap in CEQA exemption allowed us to be sued. Judge ruled (July 2008):

Need to do more GHG emissions analysis. Can we make a “significance” call?

Need to work with planning partners to update transit analysis Caltrans may appeal…

Project Level Issues:

Cumulative impacts – what’s the standard? Some advocate NO increase in GHG If so, do construction emissions preclude the use of

CEs??? What is de minimis? We are looking for a legislative fix or we must do a

programmatic document. Also commenting on CEQA update…

What is appropriate mitigation? GHG emissions: Carbon sequestration? Increased

efficiency? Adaptation: design for new sea level. Hydrology?

Department Direct Emissions We've joined CA Climate Registry

to document our emissions and progress.

We are reducing our Carbon Footprint. State requirement is at least LEED

Silver for new buildings Retrofitting old buildings to meet

20% energy reduction Piloting a 50% increase in

telecommuting Employee transit use is subsidized Reducing energy usage on our

facilities We are working on our fleet

efficiency Also reducing CO2 generated by

cement

Summary: What to Expect?

Biggest change since NEPA (and CEQA) Tiered implementation

Early actions Changes in transportation and land use Cap and Trade

Regional GHG emissions approach Adaptation Plans Project level analyses

GHG emissions and mitigation Adaptation

Work on your direct Carbon Footprint

Climate Change in California

Randell H. IwasakiChief Deputy DirectorCalifornia Department of Transportation