March 2017
Funding
Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program
The Strategic Growth Council's AHSC Program provides grants and affordable housing loans for
Infrastructure and housing projects that will reduce vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions by increasing accessibility to affordable housing, employment centers and key destinations through low-carbon transportation options such as walking, biking and transit. The Strategic Growth Council is accepting public comments on the draft fiscal year (FY) 2016-17 Program Guidelines until April 14, 2017, as well as holding workshops on this draft in early April. Learn more here.
Urban Greening Grant Program
The Urban Greening Program funds projects that reduce greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon, decreasing energy consumption or reducing vehicle miles traveled. Some examples of possible projects include the building or expansion of public parks and trails, greening streets or public lands including riparian habitat for water capture, and urban heat island mitigation and energy conservation. Workshops are being held in Oakland on March 27th and April 4th, find out more here.
Low Carbon Transportation and Air Quality Improvement Program
The Low Carbon Transportation and Air Quality Improvement Program make investments in transportation projects that reduce criteria air pollutants, and greenhouse gas emissions. On April 6th, the Air Resources Board will be hosting a public workshop on the 2017-18 funding plan for the Low Carbon Transportation Investments and the Air Quality Improvement Program as well as draft
recommendations for allocating the potential $25 million Volkswagen settlement funds for ZEV-related aspects of the EFMP Plus Up Program or similar vehicle replacement programs. Learn more on their website here or check out the workshop invite.
Local City News
County Infrastructure Challenges
Contra Costa County District Supervisor Glover discussed the poor state of our infrastructure at a city council meeting in Antioch. The biggest challenge will come when the massive amount of snow melts in the Sierra's and overpowers our deltas. Read more here.
San Francisco and DAPL
On Tuesday, March 14 San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution directing the city treasurer to weed out Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) profiteers! Read it here.
City of Richmond Community Organizing
Here is a great piece on the city of Richmond, CA and their work as a community organizing around environmental causes. Read it here.
Other City News
Bee-Friendly Cities
The city of Austin, Minnesota announced that it will become bee-friendly, promising to refrain from using systemic pesticides and encouraging property owners not to use them as well! Read about it here.
Reducing CO2 Emissions in Cities
Urban planners and policy makers around the world have started to brainstorm ways that cities can create more space for pedestrians and lower CO2 emissions from diesel. See their ideas here
L.A Declares Aqueduct Emergency
The city of Los Angeles declared an emergency in order to protect its aqueduct system and residents from danger due to the flooding. Read it here
Contra Costa Cities are you protected against harmful floods?
Sanctuary Cities
Many Cities are making formal statements on this topic. It may not be "sustainability" but it closely ties to Environmental Justice. The need for everyone to be free from Fear and harm.
We all have a right to a livable and safe community. Here is a list of various organizing groups in our County: www.generationgreen.com/resources
Cities Lead the Way
Great article on the effectiveness of cities when federal governments fail to pass environmental policy! A great reminder on the importance of cities in moving us forward! Read it here.
Philips 66 Permit Denied
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors just denied the Phillips 66 oil trains project! This is a huge victory for San Luis Obispo, California, and the climate movement. Read here.
Economics
California Wind Energy in Danger
California's wind energy is in danger of stalling because short-term electricity prices are insufficient to keep the turbines in good repair and to power them with modern tech. Read more here.
Business and Sustainability
Invests Office Management released its corporate sustainability report - in 2016 electricity down by 43% since 04' and gas by 38%! Read about it here.
Businesses and cities working together can make significant changes!
Future of Cars
UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies examines the future of transportation; they believe it is electric, driver-less, and shared. How many alternative vehicles are in Your City fleet? Learn more here.
Restoring Floodplain the Solution to California’s Flood
Restoring floodplains could be California's solution to climate extremes such as drought and floods! Read about it here.
Contra Costa to Expand Urban Limit Line
Contra Costa County might expand urban limit line with new housing development - this is bad for the environment and sets a dangerous precedent! Read the full article here.
Review Contra Costa County Climate Leaders on Great Nonprofits:http://greatnonprofits.org/
Please visit our website for information on Local Government actions in Contra Costa County www.cccclimateleaders.org
Click here to check out our new Youtube account and video.
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