Melanie Curry
Recent Posts
A Cap-and-Trade Primer Based on California’s Experience
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To help focus the conversation at the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change meeting in Bonn, the Environmental Defense Fund has prepared a quick fact sheet on cap-and-trade.
Gas Tax Battle Royale
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California's new gas tax is either a boondoggle to line the pockets of politicians, or the beginning of a new, pothole-free day for California roads, depending on perspective. But it's necessary, and it's not even enough money anyway.
Strategic Growth Council Narrows List of Potential TCC Grants
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The Transformative Climate Communities grant program aims to encourage neighborhood-level plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing local economic, environmental, and health benefits to disadvantaged communities. The Strategic Growth Council will award approximately $140 million in TCC grants.
Caltrans Wants Input on California State Rail Plan
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A series of open houses will present the 2018 California State Rail Plan, the state's strategic plan for creating a coordinated, statewide rail network. What does it need?
California Leaps to No. 3 in “Bicycle Friendly” State Rankings
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There's still much more work to do, but California, says the League of American Bicyclists, “seems to be getting serious about biking and walking.”
CTC Hosts First Workshops on New Active Transportation Program Guidelines
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Staff are considering two basic changes to the guidelines: spreading project funding out over four years, instead of two; and creating separate applications for different kinds of projects. But other changes will be entertained.
Anticipating Gas Tax Money, CTC Approves More Active Transportation Projects
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The CTC approved 63 new projects under the Active Transportation Program, and another 22 projects will get funding sooner than originally planned.
Brown Signs Bill on CTC Representation, Vetoes One on Transit Passes
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Governor Brown approved guidance on creating a more representative CTC, and his veto of the transit pass bill leaves open the possibility of further dialogue.
More Bills Signed: Zero-Emission Vehicles Get All the Love
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A batch of bills signed by Governor Brown this week were related to increasing the number of zero emission vehicles in California, making them available to people who wouldn't be able to afford them, and increasing the number of charging stations available in the public sphere.
15 Days to Comment on DMV Rules for Autonomous Cars
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Until October 25, the public has a chance to weigh in on proposed rules for testing and using self-driving cars on California roads. Because California relies on unfinished and weak federal rules, there is cause for concern.
Governor Signs Bill to Bring Accountability to Regional Climate Change Plans
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S.B. 150 aligns local and regional greenhouse gas reduction targets with state targets, creates a community-driven process on how to measure progress, and requires regular reports on progress, success--and challenges met along the way.
Governor Vetoes State Agency Bike-Share Bill
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Governor Brown continues to work through a pile of bills on his desk, signing some and vetoing others.