I was on the transportation working group, which along with the other working
groups (efficiency, industry, agriculture, etc.) is now sending recommendations
to the full task force. Transportation recommendations will include adopting
the California emissions standards (by far the biggest improvement in carbon
emissions of any single action in transportation), requiring lower carbon
content in fuels, and a thorough package of planning and funding reforms,
including more $ for bike/ped/transit, stronger incentives and requirements for
complete streets, less economic development for far-flung projects, and cutting
requirements in zoning for parking lots (to name a few). I think the wording is
still not final, because none of that is on the Web site yet. If I get a final
version I will pass it along.
At any rate, I was worried about getting to Sun Prairie tomorrow -- a not very
convenient bike destination -- but I think it will be fairly cut and dried
presentations from the various working groups. The proposals will be sent to a
consultant for cost/benefit and carbon emissions analysis. The actual winnowing
and shaping of the final recommendations by the full task force will come later.
Still, if anyone can make it, it never hurts to have a supportive audience, and
you will get a sense of what's on the table so you can prepare for any coming
debates. You know the lobbyists (homebuilders, roadbuilders, etc.) will be
there, as will GM and the utilities. BFW has been a no-show, except in response
to a call for info from me, so it will be up to individuals to look out for
bike/ped stuff (though some of the task force members are from sypathetic
groups such as 1000 Friends of WI and Clean WI).
It is possible that some kind of pluralist success will come from all of this,
as the big players (utilities, carmakers, etc.) all want to avoid getting stuck
with the major burden of carbon cuts, and are looking to spread the cost
around. It's also possible, of course, that something less successful will
occur. A big push will be to get the governor and legislature to actually
follow the recommmendations, assuming they are good.
I'll try to keep tabs on the process and post a notice about the crucial
meetings.
Eric Sundquist
----- Original Message ----
From: "Schimpff, Jeff A - DNR" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2007 12:03:18 PM
Subject: [Bikies] Electronic comment site Re: Bicycle Advocacy and Task Force
on Globa lWarming Work Groups
Indeed, one could deduce that public participation is not really
welcome. However, the 'pscglobal" handle on the announcement file
indicates that perhaps it was PSC who delayed the announcement.
in any event, there is an electronic comment link that I hope everyone
will use and in turn encourage everyone they know or wish they knew to
use, as well:
http://dnr.wi.gov/environmentprotect/gtfgw/
snip
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