Back in October, we brought you information on ICLEI’s new STAR Community Index, a national framework and performance-management system expected to be launched in 2011 that will allow local governments to measure and rate their sustainability performance. ICLEI has now announced the nine selected STAR Beta Communities. They are: Atlanta, GA Boulder, CO Chattanooga, TN … Continued
A new report released today by Smart Growth America and the Natural Resources Defense Council found that transportation policies in every state could save money and reduce carbon emissions by making smarter decisions with state funds.
In “Getting Back on Track: Climate Change and State Transportation Policy,” SGA and NRDC found that current transportation policies in almost all 50 states either fail to curb carbon emission rates or, in some cases, actually increase emissions. This contradiction between state policies and broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions means not only that many states are missing opportunities to protect clean air; it means they are missing economic opportunities as well.
In a press conference this morning, former Maryland Governor Parris Glendening remarked:
Transportation makes up an enormous proportion of our national economy and our environmental impact: it must be front and center as we think about how to get the most out of our public investments. The states that rose to the top in this report, California, Maryland and New Jersey, are there because they are meeting the challenge to innovate.
This week’s round-up of Complete Streets talk across the country, from the first inklings of policy development in New Hope, Minnesota to an article in Albany, New York’s Times Union on how Complete Streets are part of comprehensive cancer prevention strategy. [Continue Reading “Quick Takes: Mid-October…”]
EPA has announced the five recipients of technical assistance through the Greening America’s Capitals program, a new, collaborative initiative from the HUD-EPA-DOT Partnership for Sustainable Communities. Boston, MA; Jefferson City, MO; Hartford, CT; Little Rock, AR; and Charleston, WV will receive direct, tailored sustainable design assistance from teams of urban planners and landscape architects. From … Continued
Last Thursday, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay signed complete streets into law. The city will now “consider complete street elements in the design, construction and maintenance of public transportation projects, improvements and facilities.”
This week we report on: three new policies adopted by Bozeman, MT, Franklin, PA, and the Madison County Council of Governments in Indiana and policy progress in several more communities and states.
This week in Complete Streets news, we cover some of the results of Monday’s Dangerous by Design release, including a meeting with Secretary LaHood, progress in Lee County, and more.
This week in Complete Streets news, we celebrate three new policies, bringing the national total to 110 jurisdictions! We’ve also got news from Kentucky and Mississippi, plus much more.
This week: A new coalition formed in Minnesota, Lee’s Summit may be the 99th jurisdiction to adopt complete streets, new bike lanes in Rochester MN and more.
News on complete streets comes in daily now, so we’re going to start a new feature in our blog to keep everyone – including us! – up to speed.