Opinion: Why would California rob from clean transportation to fund highway expansions?
LA TimesCalifornia has ambitious climate goals : By 2045, the state wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 85%, drop gas consumption 94% and cut air pollution 71%. Why would we cut from the state’s most climate-friendly transportation program and spend that money on highway projects that will make climate change and traffic congestion worse? Despite this, according to a recent Natural Resources Defense Council study, most transportation spending in the state still goes toward projects that increase greenhouse gas emissions, especially widening highways. In addition to routinely approving new highway widenings, the California Transportation Commission also runs the state’s most climate-friendly transportation initiative, the Active Transportation Program. We will not be able to achieve our climate goals solely by shifting gas powered vehicles to electric vehicles ; we also must transition a significant number of daily trips in our cities to mass transit, biking or walking — precisely what the Active Transportation Program helps make possible.
History of this topic
California emissions drop 2.4% due to electric vehicles and cleaner fuels, officials say
LA Times
It’s one of California’s worst freeway bottlenecks. Will fixing it ruin the planet?
LA Times
California says it prioritizes climate goals over freeway widening. So why is the 15 Freeway getting more lanes?
LA Times
Editorial: Funding for California’s bullet trains puts the high-speed rail revolution back on track
LA Times
Editorial: California’s transportation spending doesn’t match its climate promises
LA Times
California bans mandated parking near transit to fight high housing prices, climate change
LA Times
California phasing out gas vehicles in climate change fight
Associated Press
Op-Ed: L.A. is spending tens of billions of dollars to make climate change and traffic worse
LA Times
Critics say infrastructure projects won't make a big enough impact on climate change
NPR
Editorial: California isn’t on pace to meet its climate targets. Here are 3 ways to cut pollution faster
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