The settlement of two lawsuits will place heightened scrutiny on the city's efforts to reduce car travel, increase development near public transit and phase out natural gas in buildings.
San Diego has settled a lawsuit over its climate action plan. KPBS metro reporter Andrew Bowen says the city's efforts to phase out fossil fuels will now face a lot more scrutiny.— placing renewed scrutiny over the city's efforts to reduce car travel, increase development near public transit and end the burning of natural gas for cooking and heating.to the city's 2015 climate action plan, setting a goal of"net zero" greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.
Under the settlement, which the City Council approved last week, San Diego agreed to release annual inventories of greenhouse gas emissions and assess whether it is on track to meet the climate plan's 2030 and 2035 goals. For example, in 2026 the city will be allowed to emit the equivalent of 7.36 metric tons of carbon dioxide. That would represent a roughly 20% reduction from emissions in 2020, when the burning of fossil fuels was already well below normal due to COVID-19 restrictions.If the city fails to meet its annual emissions targets, staff are required to hold public workshops and develop updated plans to get back on track.
Muto said the settlement also eliminates uncertainty over the city's growth and development plans, which are allowed to be streamlined under state environmental laws because of the city's commitment to reduce emissions. Thehad been thrown into legal doubt because of a separate lawsuit filed by the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation, which was also settled.
"I appreciate the efforts of local advocates and stakeholders that keep San Diego on the leading edge of climate action and work with us on housing and community infrastructure needs," Muto said.I cover local government — a broad beat that includes housing, homelessness and infrastructure. I'm especially interested in the intersections of land use, transportation and climate change.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
San Diego freight trains stopped again by San Clemente landslideSoggy slope slips almost 3 feet in 24 hours, getting close to railroad tracks at Mariposa Pedestrian Bridge site
Read more »
San Diego Navy SEAL accused of extremism faces punishment over threatsLGBTQ+ activists and extremism researchers say active duty Navy SEAL Bryce Henson threatened them for months before the Navy launched an investigation in November.
Read more »
Inclement weather prompts closures at some San Diego County schoolsJulian Union Elementary School District and Mountain Empire Unified School District are some districts closed Wednesday.
Read more »
Another Powerful Storm Expected in San Diego CountyNearly two weeks after devastating flooding damaged homes and uprooted people's lives throughout San Diego County, another powerful storm is expected to move into the county on Sunday, possibly bringing chances of rain until Wednesday. The rain will be heavy at times, and some of the impacts could include excessive rainfall, flooding, gusty winds, snow for the mountains and big surf for the coastal areas. Rain estimates for Sunday night through Tuesday show 2-3 inches of rain for the coast and valleys, 2-5 inches for the mountains and up to 1 inch for the desert. Below we have listed some of the most common questions San Diegans may have after the storm, and some resources available.
Read more »
Missing Marine helicopter found in San Diego's East County; search underway for aircrewThe five Marines were traveling on the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, flying from Creech Air Force Base in Clark County, Nevada, to Marine Corps Air Station…
Read more »
Here's how much rain has fallen this week in 40 San Diego County communitiesThe NWS says the rain will continue to fall, on and off, into Tuesday night. A new storm will arrive on Wednesday night.
Read more »