Update: About a third of the climate change-causing greenhouse gas emissions in the county come from vehicle emissions, so it makes a difference where people live and how they get to where they need to go. And one of the ways to meet state-mandated targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to reduce vehicle miles traveled. High-density housing linked to jobs and shopping areas by public transportation or walking and biking trails tends to lead to fewer vehicle miles traveled than spread-out housing connected only by roadways. The impact of the state legislation is evident in other plans developed by local governments.

Update factors in new laws for climate change | Recordnet.com: "For San Joaquin County, the California Air Resources Board target is a 5 percent reduction from 2005 levels by 2020 and a 10 percent reduction by 2035, according to the San Joaquin Council of Governments.

The 2014 Regional Transportation Plan being developed would set forth a forecast development pattern that will be able to meet those reduction targets, said Aaron Hoyt, an associate regional planner with COG, the county transportation planning authority.

"It also identifies the transportation network that will be needed to serve the needs of the future by all modes (of transportation)," he said."
read more at: http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130225/A_NEWS/302250314

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