Comment Log Display

Dear Chair Nichols:

On behalf of the City of Escondido, thank you for the opportunity
to comment on the California Air Resources Board’s (ARB) Proposed
Scoping Plan (Scoping Plan).  I have reviewed the letter sent to
you by Kyra Ross and Bill Higgins, on behalf of the League of
California Cities, dated November 14, 2008. I concur with their
comments but will not attempt to comment in as much detail.

Escondido is beginning a number of efforts to reduce our City’s
greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions).  We are continuing
efforts to locate new development in a compact pattern around our
urban core, and expand the use of transit and a central, transit
station. We are also developing a number of green building
practices for both public and private uses. We are also addressing
climate change in our environmental review process.  

While the City of Escondido is generally supportive of a number of
programs and policies outlined in the Scoping Plan, it is crucial
for state policymakers to ensure the goals are realistic and match
the means needed to implement them. It appears that the Scoping
Plan appropriately allows the SB 375 process to develop regional
transportation-related GHG targets. The 5 MMT figure appears to be
an appropriate benchmark that should not be increased at this time.
 

Escondido, like many other cities, is faced with critical budget
shortages that will limit our ability to heavily invest in GHG
emission technologies in the next 2 to 3 years. In light of these
limitations, incentives must be provided to the development
community and local agencies in order to encourage more development
in areas where the reductions in GHG emissions will be the
greatest.  The City of Escondido strongly encourages the ARB to
consider these limitations as it moves forward with the Scoping
Plan

Thank you again for the opportunity to comment.  The City of
Escondido looks forward to working with the ARB in the future.  

Sincerely,
Lori Holt Pfeiler
Mayor

Note:  Hard signed copy of letter to follow in mail