ICYMI - last week's Toolbox Tuesday webinar is online for anytime viewing! "Up to Code: Hydrogen Station Permitting, Market Trends & Zero-Emission Fleets" is streaming here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4N02pgvHr8&feature=youtu.be
Thanks to all of our partners at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), SunLine Transit Agency and California Fuel Cell Partnership for partnering with us on the webinar.
Improving air quality in Southern California means improving health outcomes for generations to come. That's why we're celebrating California Clean Air Day October 7 - will you join us in committing to take action for a more breathable future? There are steps that everyone can take to protect our environment and health. Take the pledge for yourself, your organization, or your kids! 🌎🏞️
https://www.cleanairday.org/individual-pledge/SCAG/
CLEANAIRDAY.ORG
Clean Air Pledge - California Clean Air Day
Coming up Thursday: SCAG's Regional Council meets virtually at 1pm, following meetings of the SCAG Policy Committees which will each start at 10. You can participate via Zoom or phone, and we'll also be hosting a view-only stream on our website.
Find agendas and streaming info for all upcoming meetings here:
http://scag.ca.gov/committees/Pages/Current-Agendas.aspx
Save the date! The 11th annual Southern California Economic Summit will convene virtually on Dec. 1. Join civic and business leaders from across the region for this vital conversation centered around “Charting an Inclusive Regional Recovery.”
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, our cities, families and cornerstone industries have all been seismically impacted and face enormous challenges on the road to recovery. Hear from leading voices in business, industry, planning and academia as they define strategies for building back a strong, inclusive Southern California economy.
Registration is now open - RSVP now! http://scag.ca.gov/economicsummit
Active Transportation funding is still available, now through Nov. 13, from the Sustainable Communities Program. The SCP provides resources and assistance to local agencies to support projects that promote safety and alternatives modes of transportation. Get more info and apply: http://sustain.scag.ca.gov/Pages/DemoProjApplication.aspx?utm_medium=email
Big news from Sacramento today. Signed on top of an electric Ford Mustang, no less!
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-09-23/gavin-newsom-fracking-ban-california-zero-emissions-cars
LATIMES.COM
Newsom orders 2035 phaseout of gas-powered vehicles, calls for fracking ban
When it comes to Southern California's economy, charting an inclusive regional recovery is our top priority. At our 11th annual Economic Summit coming up on Dec. 1, leading voices in business, industry, planning and academia will join us in working to define a path forward for our region in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify how to make sure no one gets left behind. Register now! http://scag.ca.gov/calendar/Pages/11thEconomicSummit.aspx
Another big step forward for the project that is set to make active mobility safer and easier across the Coachella Valley! Excited for when we get to walk/bike/skate/roll through all 40+ miles of CV Link. https://www.desertsun.com/story/money/business/tourism/2020/10/20/cv-link-path-december-construction-add-another-20-miles/5991956002/
DESERTSUN.COM
CV Link on path for December construction start on 20 miles through several cities
Earlier this year, SCAG committed to taking action toward making Southern California a more equitable and just region. One of our first steps: assembling a Special Committee on Equity and Social Justice, spearheaded by President Councilmember Rex Richardson. This active and diverse group includes leaders from nonprofits, businesses, healthcare, labor and education, as well as Regional Council members representing every county in the SCAG region.
They'll next meet on Nov. 16 to review a new work plan, including SCAG's internal equity initiatives, revisit an updated equity definition, and discuss the equity inventory and framework. In the meantime, you can catch up on their first meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hDATNkz0Xw
More on the committee available here: http://scag.ca.gov/committees/Pages/CommitteeL2/Granicus.aspx?CID=53
YOUTUBE.COM
Special Committee on Equity and Social Justice - YouTube
Speed is the single biggest determinant of a car collision's deadliness. Speed limits have the power to save lives. So how are they set? And is that the best way keep people safe - especially those who aren't in cars? This great piece from Grist.org gets into it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ado6uLHvo9U&feature=emb_logo
YOUTUBE.COM
The one weird rule that's raising speed limits
Just under 10 minutes away! The Great Shake Out, the nation's largest earthquake drill, starts at 10:15am. When things get shaking, Drop, Cover and Hold! Join us, and millions around the state, in making sure we are ready in case an emergency strikes.
Stream your own earthquake drill:
https://youtu.be/__X_LkpVS2A
More on the program
http://www.shakeout.org/california/dropcoverholdon/
SHAKEOUT.ORG
The Great California ShakeOut
New report release! Our new Last-Mile Freight Delivery Study lays out strategies to address the efficiency/safety/community impacts of surging business and home deliveries.
“Deliveries have become an essential part of our everyday lives. It’s critical that we develop solutions to reduce costs and delays, ensure safety & make deliveries more efficient, while reducing impacts to air quality in local communities” - SCAG President Rex Richardson.
More on our new study:
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/southern-california-coalition-releases-last-mile-impact-study
Big news! We are very excited to announce three-time Pulitzer Winner and New York Times columnist Tom Friedman as the keynote speaker for our 11th Annual #SoCalEconomy Summit on Dec. 1. Don't miss this vital conversation on the region’s economic future:
http://scag.ca.gov/calendar/Pages/11thEconomicSummit.aspx
Honored to be recognized by WTS Los Angeles as the 2020 Employer of the Year! SCAG works hard to support advancement and professional development for women and people of color, and take seriously our commitment to ensure meaningful equity both in our own ranks and in the jurisdictions we serve.
https://www.wtsinternational.org/news/2020-wts-la-employer-year-southern-california-association-governments
The draft 2021 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP), which includes a roster of over 2,000 regional transportation projects in the works, is available for public review & comment through early December. Two virtual hearings on the draft 2021 FTIP coming up on Nov. 17 and Dec. 2 - details at http://ftip.scag.ca.gov/Pages/2021/draft.aspx
Deadline extended! The Sustainable Communities Program call for active transportation and safety projects will now be accepting applications through Friday, Dec. 11. In addition to offering a lot of application resources on our website, SCAG staff is also offering one-on-one coaching through the application process. Get more info and reach out:
http://sustain.scag.ca.gov/Pages/DemoProjApplication.aspx
Did you know SCAG’s Sustainable Communities Program has multiple opportunities to seek funding? SCAG is excited to announce the release of the latest Call for Applications, this one focused on housing and sustainable development projects.
The call includes three specific project types to promote pro-housing policies and affordable housing supported by multimodal transportation options. Learn more, and sign up for our 12/2 application webinar: scag.ca.gov/scp
Our successful Go Human transportation safety and encouragement program has just received a major state grant! SCAG's work making streets safer and more active continues, with support for programs through next September.
“Active transportation is an essential part of our region’s long-term mobility plans,” SCAG President Councilmember Rex Richardson said. “Providing safe options for walking and bicycling is critical to promoting social equity and healthy communities and ensuring the efficiency of our increasingly integrated transportation system.”
https://mynewsla.com/business/2020/11/05/traffic-safety-grant-to-fund-southern-california-street-safety-programs/
MYNEWSLA.COM
Traffic Safety Grant to Fund Southern California Street Safety Programs - MyNewsLA.com
SCAG's Regional Council meets today at 12:30 p.m. You can participate via Zoom or phone, or livestream it here to follow the action. See you then! https://scag.ca.gov/post/regional-council-livestream
SCAG.CA.GOV
Regional Council Livestream - Southern California Association of Governments
Coming up Thursday: SCAG's Regional Council meets at 12:30 p.m., following the SCAG Policy Committees. You can participate via Zoom or phone, and we also host a view-only stream on our website.
Full agendas, featuring all public participation info, are available here:
https://scag.ca.gov/current-agendas
SCAG.CA.GOV
Current Agendas - Southern California Association of Governments
Congratulations to Assemblymember Laura Friedman on becoming chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee! As a former SCAG board member, we are proud that you are a strong representative for the region in Sacramento. Thank you for meeting with us to talk about our legislative priorities, including increased investment into transportation and infrastructure, affordable housing production, and broadband expansion.
(Leadership present included SCAG President Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, 1st VP Clint Lorimore, 2nd VP Jan Harnik, Legislative Committee Chair José Luis Solache and ED Kome Ajise.)
More on how Southern California transit agencies are transitioning to zero-emission at tomorrow's #ToolboxTuesday webinar, featuring Foothill Transit on launching the nation's first grid-powered, battery-electric double-decker bus in public service. We'll be talking challenges, benefits and lessons learned from being an early adopter of zero-emissions technology. Join us! https://scag.wufoo.com/forms/m14a7te90az53ej/
“For Southern California to truly recover from the devastation of the pandemic we need to close this growing racial equity gap, and long-range planning for transportation and land use has a critical role to play.” - President Vice Mayor Rex Richardson on moving SCAG's action plan forward.
https://mynewsla.com/business/2021/01/27/planning-organization-briefs-officials-on-plan-to-promote-equity/
MYNEWSLA.COM
Planning Organization Briefs Officials on Plan to Promote Equity - MyNewsLA.com
A reminder that the deadline for our call for Housing & Sustainable Development proposals is next Friday, Jan 29th❗ Submit your proposal for housing sustainability districts, EIFDs, streamlined approval processes, parking innovation or similar project ⬇️
https://scag.ca.gov/sustainability-program-call-applications