GreenMeansGo
Sacramento Region Greenhouse Gas Reduction Pilot Program
Green Means Go is a multi-year pilot
program to lower greenhouse gas emissions in the six-county
Sacramento region by accelerating infill development, reducing
vehicle trips, and electrifying remaining trips. Local
jurisdictions will designate Green Zones, in which they must take
specific actions to promote infill development and reduce
existing barriers and provide new transportation options. State
funding is needed to help implement these actions and further
incentivize local development and housing production. Green
Zones, in a partnership of state funding and local government
action, create areas targeted for infill and compact development,
increasing housing and transportation options and promoting
shorter, fewer, and cleaner vehicle trips.
Green Zones
Local Nomination Process Begins
For Green Means Go to be most effective, Green Zones need to be in areas where new growth is planned and is supported by local policies and actions so that the efforts to accelerate infill, travel choice, and electrification all have potential to be complementary strategies. This local commitment to increased development in Green Zones is the essential first step to transforming these areas over time.
Background
Greenhouse Gas Reductions and Economic Development:
“Green Means Go” is a multi-year pilot program proposed by SACOG to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the six-county Sacramento region by accelerating infill development, reducing vehicle trips, and electrifying remaining trips. Green Means Go, when adequately supported, will also improve quality of life in the region by improving local economic development, increasing housing availability, and decreasing traffic congestion.
Potential Green Means Go Projects
Submitted by SACOG Cities and Counties
Accelerate Infill:
• Specific infrastructure improvements
necessary to support higher density housing and commercial
development, including resizing water, sewer, and
drainage.
• Rehabilitation of historic main street
buildings in smaller cities and suburbs to provide housing and
retail space
• Site inventory of commercial properties and feasibility study
to provide concept-level design alternatives for infill
properties with the greatest potential to include affordable
housing.
CASE STUDY
Del Paso Boulevard
The corridor of Del Paso Boulevard lies along the historic Lincoln Highway (US 40) in Old North Sacramento. In 1947, Highway 160 was developed, blocking downtown from passing through Del Paso Boulevard, instead taking traffic past North Sacramento straight to Carmichael and Roseville. Del Paso Boulevard suffers from old or inadequate infrastructure, which has proven to be a barrier to development. This, coupled with a lack of investment and new consumer attractions, has led to vacant or underutilized sites along the corridor.
Support for Green Means Go
Statewide Organizations
• California Alliance for Jobs
• California State Council of Laborers
Pilot Program Background
In March 2018, the California Air Resources Board established new SB 375 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for the SACOG region. The region’s target for a 19 percent reduction by 2035 is conditional on the implementation of a new pilot program in the Sustainable Communities Strategy that addresses specific conditions and challenges relating to GHG emission reductions. If SACOG and the state do not secure funding and related policy commitments, CARB will reduce SACOG’s target to 18 percent.