“Hot” Planning Topics in the California Legislature

(CCAPA Workshop)

At the 2007 California Chapter American Planning Association Conference (CCAPA) in San Jose I attended the workshop “Hot” Planning Topics in the California Legislature. The presenters worked for CCAPA as liaisons for California planners to the legislative process. Sande George is the CCAPA Executive Director and Lobbyist and Pete Parkinson is the Vice-President for Policy and Legislation.

Two major topics stood out to me from their presentation. One was the discussion of AB32 and the second was the CCAPA Climate Change Task Force. AB32 is specific legislation aimed at addressing environmental regulations and enforcement, while the Climate Change Task Force was formed by the CCAPA and dedicated to innovative ways for planners to address climate change on a macro level.

AB32
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed this legislation, also known at the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, into law August 30, 2006. This bill requires that all greenhouse gas emissions within the state of California be reduced to 1990 levels by the year 2020. That is a 25% reduction from “business as usual” estimates. In this workshop the presenters gave an overview of what the bill is and what it means for planners. They also gave the audience an idea of how the CCAPA becomes involved in the legislative process as lobbyists.

Climate Change Task Force
The Task Force was developed by the CCAPA to address Climate Change issues as they pertain to the planning field. The presenters supplied us with the Task Force’s September 2007 pamphlet “Planning Policy Principles for Climate Change Response.” The pamphlet discusses the role of CCAPA, new legalization such as AB32, and CEQA. They also outlined the role of the state, regional agencies, local government, and CEQA in planning for climate change.