Government leaders from across the Monterey Bay region committed
this week to reducing per-capita greenhouse gas emissions of
passenger vehicles by 5 percent over the next 25 years.
Government leaders from across the Monterey Bay region committed this week to reducing per-capita greenhouse gas emissions of passenger vehicles by 5 percent over the next 25 years.
The commitment by the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, expected to be fulfilled through responsible transportation and growth policies, comes as state regulators seek to implement California’s ambitious greenhouse gas regulations.
The California Air Resources Board is expected to decide next month whether the region’s new targets are acceptable. The state board had initially suggested that the three-county Monterey Bay Area coalition, which includes San Benito, could increase its output of greenhouse gases, but local leaders wanted to show greater environmental responsibility.
On Monday night, AMBAG’s Board of Directors voted 16 to 6 to ensure 0 percent per-capita growth of greenhouse gas emissions through 2020 and to decrease per-capita emissions by 5 percent by 2035.
The targets, though, remain somewhat elusive as the monitoring technology is not in place to accurately measure greenhouse gas emissions.
County Supervisor and AMBAG board member Ellen Pirie said she voted against the proposed target for this reason. She said it didn’t make sense to “sign up” for something that was unclear.
