Symposium Panels Highlight Road and Rail Progress and Challenges

In recent years, legislation and voter-approved bonds have changed the way California addresses transportation and land-use planning.  In 2008, the Legislature passed SB 375, which focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles travelled through the adoption of regional Sustainable Communities Strategies. That same year, voters approved nearly $10 billion in funding for High Speed Rail project, with billions more earmarked by the federal government. But how have these measures actually changed development practices in California to be more sustainable? Two panels at the PCL/PCLF Symposium will help answer this question, and focus on what we should do next:

SB 375: Where the Rubber Meets the Rail (CLE)

This panel includes information on the early adoption of the San Diego Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) and strategies for what must occur next to make the promise of integrated and sustainable planning a reality.  Participants will examine current SCS efforts as case studies, gain knowledge of the tools needed to engage in the SCS process, and learn about new legislative efforts to promote good growth and integrated/transit friendly development.

  • Mike McKeever, Sacramento Area Council      of Governments (moderator)
  • Laurel Impett, Shute, Mihaly and      Weinberger LLP
  • David Mogavero, Mogavero Notestine      Associates
  • Eliot Rose, UC Berkeley Center for      Resource Efficient Communities

Boondoggle or Beacon? The Future of High Speed Rail in California

California’s High Speed Rail (HSR) system has long been discussed, and remains one of the most expensive and controversial infrastructure projects in California’s history. HSR proponents see a vital project that will change California’s transportation landscape, reducing the need for new and expanded highways, and resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions…all while putting Californians back to work. Opponents of the current plan have been critical of its routing, financing plan, skyrocketing price-tag, and the ridership and business plan assumptions that have been made in developing the proposal.

  • Elizabeth Alexis, Californians      Advocating Responsible Rail Design
  • Denis Douté, SNCF America Inc.
  • Dan Richard, California High-Speed      Rail Authority Board Member

The Annual Environmental Legislative Symposium will take place on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at the Sacramento Convention Center.  Early bird (discounted) registration is available through December 31.  We’ve secured a room block at the Citizen Hotel; room reservations must be made by January 6, 2012 to receive the discounted rate.