FEATURE ARTICLE

November 2008

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Examining SB 375’s Landmark Regional Land Use Planning Scheme: Is the Sacred Cow of Local Land Use Control Now Roadkill?

California is the world’s 12th largest carbon emitter. Cars and light trucks emit one-third of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. California forecasts 11 million new residents by 2025. Passenger Vehicle miles (VMT) traveled are growing twice as fast as the population. AB 32 (the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006) mandates California GHG emissions be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020—a 25 percent reduction. While the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is developing AB 32 regulations addressing GHG emissions from all economic sectors, unchecked VMT growth may overwhelm and offset any gains from other strategies to reduce transportation sector emissions, such as cleaner cars and fuels. Further complicating California’s efforts to reduce GHG are similarly important yet competing policies, such as accommodating housing for all economic sectors, protecting the environment, open space and natural resource lands, and coordinating efficient transportation infrastructure and funding with local land use powers.