STEPS Researchers Reach Out to Policymakers in Washington DC
January 12, 2009
Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector will be front and center for the 111th Congress. As Congress convenes, lessons from other nations and from sub-national GHG reduction efforts will be carefully considered. California is pursuing innovative approaches to accelerate light-duty vehicle efficiency, low carbon fuels, and the reduction of vehicle travel through smart land use planning (and other means). These approaches are particularly important for federal consideration for several reasons. First, they indicate the magnitude of possible reductions in transportation greenhouse gases and oil use. Second, they provide a policy model for Congress. California’s approaches are firmly grounded in the state’s historic California Climate Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) and California’s recent legislation that requires new land use patters that will reduce GHG emissions (SB 375, 2008).
The UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS-Davis) conducts considerable analysis to support California’s carbon emission reduction policies. Faculty from ITS-Davis provided this briefing to inform staff members from the House, Senate and federal agencies. The Institute presented four talks to explain the basis and current implementation stage of four key California low-carbon transportation strategies: its low carbon fuel standard (LCFS), a renewed consideration of feebates, PHEV roll-out strategies, and tools to support smart land use under SB 375.
Agenda and Presentations can be found under STEPS Public Events in the Quick links section.
Donald Gautier, USGS geologist, presents on petroleum in the arctic