The City of Sacramento is moving forward with their climate actions, including:
- First Year Actions. The proposed work plan for 2021 includes many of the Climate Commission’s “First Year” recommendations. This includes the addition of 2 full-time positions, launch of the Environmental Justice Committee, 3 transportation audits in underserved communities, building and vehicle electrification, a food access program, and water conservation and green infrastructure initiatives. This comes with a price tag of $3.8 million for 2021, which will be presented to the Council on February 2.
- Slow Streets. A 5-month Slow Streets pilot in six neighborhoods has been approved.
- Electrification. The ordinance for new building electrification (including EV infrastructure) is scheduled to come before the Council in March/April.
- General/Climate Action Plans. The Council approved in concept several big items for the pending General Plan and Climate Action Plan, including land use changes to allow for increased housing density, roadway changes to facilitate active transportation/transit, and numerous other key strategies including eliminating parking minimums, building and vehicle electrification, prioritizing active transportation, increasing the tree canopy, prioritizing equity in infrastructure, and developing a neighborhood resiliency program.
- CEC Grant. The City has received $1.8 million from the California Energy Commission to bring electric vehicle charging stations and bike/car share programs to community centers and libraries in underserved communities.
President Biden has taken some exciting steps to move beyond fossil fuels. These include a number of Executive Orders to:
- “Identify and end” fossil fuel subsidies
- Pause new oil, gas, and coal lease sales on public lands
- Direct 40% of climate and renewable energy investments to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities
- Protect 30% of public lands and oceans by 2030
- Ensure scientific integrity across federal agencies
- And more!!
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on President Biden to declare a national climate emergency.
The New York City Pension Funds voted to begin selling off an estimated $4 billion of holdings in fossil fuel corporations.
