Way to Go, Barack!

President Obama has met yet another promise of his campaign, along the lines of lifting the gag order applied to family planning organizations that prevented them from even mentioning the 'A' word (abortion).

This one, folks, is big, really big, because it is critical for CA to meet the greenhouse gas reductions mandated in AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.

Today, Monday, Jan. 26, he signed a memorandum directing his new EPA Secretary, Lisa Jackson, "to move swiftly on an application by California and 13 other states to set strict limits on greenhouse gases from cars and trucks."

The Sierra Club is delighted!

"This action deserves the loudest applause. President Obama is making good on campaign promises and sending yet another clear signal that global warming and a clean energy economy are top priorities for his administration. By beginning this process and directing EPA to review the Bush administration's lack of action, President Obama is turning the Federal Government into a force for positive change instead of a roadblock." Press Release, 1/25

Key Environmental Lawsuit Settled On Highway 50 Project

This development shows the importance of environmental review being applied to major highway projects. Thanks to litigation pursued by Environmental Council of Sacramento,and Neighbors Advocating Sustainable Transportation community group, public transit will be a big winner while the carpool lane construction can proceed. More jobs, less greenhouse gas emissions!

On Planetizen:

Key Highway Lawsuit Settled In California

“One down, nine to go - that's how many hwy projects Gov. Schwarzenegger wants exempted from environmental review in order to be 'shovel ready' for the Obama stimulus”

State, environmental groups settle highway lawsuit

By SAMANTHA YOUNG Associated Press Writer

Posted: 01/16/2009

"The deal relieves the state from having to pursue court-ordered environmental reviews that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been seeking to circumvent in negotiations over the state budget.

The settlement means construction could start later this year on the $165 million project to add carpool lanes along Highway 50 east of downtown Sacramento.

The agreement requires the state to give Sacramento $7.5 million to expand its light rail system as a way to offset the pollution and greenhouse gases that might be generated from the added traffic.

Eric Davis, a spokesman for the Environmental Council of Sacramento, said he hopes the settlement will prevent efforts to undermine environmental laws for road projects in the ongoing budget negotiations.

"Our agreement shows that economic stimulus and environmental protection can go hand-in-hand," Davis said in a statement."

Public Health & Climate Change

They get it!
Public Health folks truly understand the land use/climate change connection.
This was truly gratifying - I had attended a meeting at the public health (PH) offices in Sacramento - they are preparing an "adaptation strategy" - something that will become increasingly more important as the effects of climate change take hold.

It was nice to be amongst these PH professionals as this is a field I know little of, but hope to learn more!

Our huge accomplishment was the successful outcome of our diesel rule campaign - please see our air quality committee report....(4-page PDF)