Reactions to story from The New York Times

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  NYT Jealous of CA's Bills: Judging by their effusive praise of...

  http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2008/10/10/nyt_jealous_of_cas_...
  53 days ago in Curbed SF : The San Francisco Neighborhoods and Real Estate Blog · Authority: 1,079

  Judging by their effusive praise of anti-sprawl SB 375, the New York Times has a bit of California envy. See for yourselves: "For years, while Washington slept, most of the serious work on climate change has occurred in the states, and no state has worked harder than California. ... Given California’s size, these and other initiatives will help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Even more progress would be made if others follow." Keep the dream alive, guys. [NYT]
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  Anti-Sprawl, Polar Bears, Oil Shale, and Renewable Energy

  http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/nrdcnews/antisprawl_polar_...
  56 days ago in Switchboard, from NRDC › NRDC News's Blog · Authority: 3

  The New York Times ran an editorial about California’s landmark anti-sprawl law mentioning NRDC's role in shaping the bill… Andrew Wetzler addresses the importance of outlining protected habitat for the polar bear in an Associated Press article picked up by outlets like USA Today… On E&E TV, Jim Presswood talks about the renewable energy tax extensions included in the Bailout Bill and the future of clean energy development in the US… In the Daily Sentinel Bobby McEnaney expresses his concerns that oil shale tax credits in the Bailout Bill may put Americans on the hook for funding dirty fuels, and lead to distraction from real renewable solutions… Daily Variety reports on the “Body of Lies” movie premier benefiting NRDC and attended by Alan Horn, Russell Crowe, and Leonardo DiCaprio… Aaron Colangelo discusses the role pesticides may be playing in honey bee colony collapse disorder on Coast to Coast AM.
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  New York Times Editorial Celebrates Success of SB 375

  http://www.ecovote.org/blog/?p=373
  55 days ago in Political Action for Environmental Protection | California League of Conservation Voters Blog · Authority: 6

  The positive media coverage of the many victories, big and small, that led to the ultimate passage of anti-sprawl and greenhouse gas emissions control legislation SB 375 does an environmentalist’s heart good. And now, the New York Times’ lead editorial on October 7, 2008 (“Cut the Sprawl, Cut the Warming”) points to the bill’s passage as more evidence that California is leading the nation in environmental progress. Not that anyone had to convince us, but now the most influential and high-profile editorial section in the country has stated it as fact for its national and international readers. The Times editorial describes the problem of vehicle emissions in California, summarizes the solutions (assigning emissions-reduction goals and developing land use strategies and incentives for each of California’s metropolitan planning areas to reduce driving and meet the new targets), and gives credit to “bill architect” Senator Darrell Steinberg and his allies – environmental groups and developers. This isn’t included in the editorial, but according to Sen. Steinberg: “CLCV was instrumental in the success of SB 375. With its sophisticated political operation and respect in the environmental community and the legislature, CLCV helped craft one of the most important global warming bills of our time.” But back to the Times piece… It ends with a bit of a cautionary note: “There is, of course, no substitute for federal action or for American global leadership on climate change, both of which the next president will have to deliver.” So true. That’s why CLCV has endorsed Senator Barack Obama for president. Just in case the link to the editorial expires, we have included the full text below: “Cut the Sprawl, Cut the Warming” For years, while Washington slept, most of the serious work on climate change has occurred in the states, and no state has worked harder than California. The latest example of California’s originality is a new law — the nation’s first — intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by curbing urban sprawl and cutting back the time people have to spend in their automobiles. Passenger vehicles are the biggest single source of carbon dioxide in California, producing nearly one-third of the total. Meanwhile, the number of miles driven in California has increased 50 percent faster than the rate of population growth, largely because people have to drive greater distances in their daily lives. The new law has many moving parts, but the basic sequence is straightforward. The state’s Air Resources Board will determine the level of emissions produced by cars and light trucks, including S.U.V.’s, in each of California’s 17 metropolitan planning areas. Emissions-reduction goals for 2020 and 2035 would be assigned to each area. Local governments would then devise strategies for housing development, road-building and other land uses to shorten travel distances, reduce driving and meet the new targets. One obvious solution would be to change zoning laws so developers can build new housing closer to where people work. Another is to improve mass transit — in woefully short supply in California — so commuters don’t have to rely so much on cars. The bill contains significant incentives, including the promise of substantial federal and state money to regions whose plans pass muster. In addition, and with the consent of the environmental community, the state will relax various environmental rules to allow “infill” — higher-density land use in or near cities and towns. The bill’s architect, State Senator Darrell Steinberg, worked closely with developers and environmental groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council. The measure is the latest in a string of initiatives from the California Legislature, including a 2002 law that would greatly reduce carbon emissions from automobiles, and a 2006 law requiring that one-fifth of California’s energy come from wind and other renewable sources. Given California’s size, these and other initiatives will help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Even more progress would be made if others follow. New York and 15 other states have already said they will adopt California’s automobile emissions standards when the federal government gives them the green light — which the Bush administration has stubbornly refused to do. There is, of course, no substitute for federal action or for American global leadership on climate change, both of which the next president will have to deliver. This editorial appeared in print on October 7, 2008, on page A30 of the New York edition of the New York Times.
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  California passes into law the ?anti-sprawl? bill

  http://www.livableregion.ca/blog/blogs/index.php/2008/10/07/...
  56 days ago in The Livable Blog · Authority: 11

  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/opinion/07tue2.html The New York Times October 7, 2008 Editorial Cut the Sprawl, Cut the Warming For years, while Washington slept, most of the serious work on climate change has occurred in the states, and no state has worked harder than California. The latest example of California’s originality is a new law — the nation’s first — intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by curbing urban sprawl and cutting back the time people have to spend in their automobiles. Passenger vehicles are the biggest single source of carbon dioxide in California, producing nearly one-third of the total. Meanwhile, the number of miles driven in California has increased 50 percent faster than the rate of population growth, largely because people have to drive greater distances in their daily lives. The new law has many moving parts, but the basic sequence is straightforward. The state’s Air Resources Board will determine the level of emissions produced by cars and light trucks, including S.U.V.’s, in each of California’s 17 metropolitan planning areas. Emissions-reduction goals for 2020 and 2035 would be assigned to each area. Local governments would then devise strategies for housing development, road-building and other land uses to shorten travel distances, reduce driving and meet the new targets. One obvious solution would be to change zoning laws so developers can build new housing closer to where people work. Another is to improve mass transit — in woefully short supply in California — so commuters don’t have to rely so much on cars. The bill contains significant incentives, including the promise of substantial federal and state money to regions whose plans pass muster. In addition, and with the consent of the environmental community, the state will relax various environmental rules to allow “infill” — higher-density land use in or near cities and towns. The bill’s architect, State Senator Darrell Steinberg, worked closely with developers and environmental groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council. The measure is the latest in a string of initiatives from the California Legislature, including a 2002 law that would greatly reduce carbon emissions from automobiles, and a 2006 law requiring that one-fifth of California’s energy come from wind and other renewable sources. Given California’s size, these and other initiatives will help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Even more progress would be made if others follow. New York and 15 other states have already said they will adopt California’s automobile emissions standards when the federal government gives them the green light — which the Bush administration has stubbornly refused to do. There is, of course, no substitute for federal action or for American global leadership on climate change, both of which the next president will have to deliver.
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  Anti-Sprawl, Polar Bears, Oil Shale, and Renewable Energy

  http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/nrdcnews/antisprawl_polar_...
  56 days ago in Switchboard, from NRDC › Home · Authority: 243

  New York Times ran an editorial about California’s landmark anti-sprawl law mentioning NRDC's role in shaping the bill… Andrew Wetzler addresses the importance of outlining protected habitat for the polar bear in an Associated Press article picked up by outlets like USA Today… On E&E TV, Jim Presswood talks about the renewable energy tax extensions included in the Bailout Bill and the future of clean energy development in the US… In the Daily Sentinel Bobby McEnaney expresses his concerns that oil shale tax credits in the Bailout Bill may put Americans on the hook for funding dirty fuels, and lead to distraction from real renewable solutions… Daily Variety reports on the “Body of Lies” movie premier benefiting NRDC and attended by Alan Horn, Russell Crowe, and Leonardo DiCaprio… Aaron Coleangelo discusses the role pesticides may be playing in honey bee colony collapse disorder on Coast to Coast AM…

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