California's public transit systems must play a more meaningful role in the State's plans for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that cause climate change. The California Transit Association is therefore working with state leaders to define and support transit's many contributions to reducing GHG emissions, including through funding and encouragement of new transit services to attract motorists, planning for transit-supportive land use decisions, use of clean air technology, and other emissions reductions strategies to combat climate change and global warming.     

In November 2008, the California Transit Association Executive Committee adopted four Overarching Policy Goals on Global Warming to guide the Association's work with the State as it develops and implements new laws, such as AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, and SB 375 [Steinberg, Chapter 728, Statutes of 2008]. These policy goals are:

1.    Transit must be at the table as these new laws are developed and implemented.

2.    In pursuing its goals for clean air, global warming, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and a stronger connection between transportation & land-use planning, we acknowledge the State will pursue many strategies with regard to the Transportation Sector, such as cleaning the vehicle fleet and lowering the carbon content of fuel; these strategies must also include enactment of laws and regulations  acknowledging the vital role enhanced public transportation service can and should play in meeting these goals, including through mode shifting from auto trips and reduction of vehicle miles traveled.

3.    The California Air Resources Board (ARB) should advocate for stabilization of current transit funding sources, and any new laws or regulations implementing the State’s goals in these policy areas calling for enhanced public transportation service must include appropriate stable and long-term funding sources adequate to support the required transit service.

4.    We oppose imposition of unfunded mandates on transit, and we support enactment of the proposed cap-and-trade program, and/or other market-based programs, to limit emissions, and urge the ARB to dedicate an appropriate level of revenue from such programs to strategies that enhance public transit.
 

The California Transit Association continues to monitor and participate in new developments in the State's global warming reduction efforts and to encourage transit-supportive policy enactments.

 Questions regarding our Climate Change program should be directed to Legislative and Regulatory Assistant Sabrina Means at sabrina@caltransit.org.