Public transit and compact development policies reduce regional pollution levels, according to an analysis of just-released U.S. Dept of Energy data.
Too Much Pollution, Environment California’s report with some bad news for this state also delivered good news in its analysis of other states’ initiatives:
…The initial success of these states shows that moving to clean energy can have a significant and immediate impact on overall emissions – and that emission reductions and robust economic growth can occur side by side.”
The report appeared just before the Gold Line extension debut in Los Angeles, and showed very positive results for public transit and compact development programs in two Northwest states:
Washington and Oregon are the only two states in the nation in which fewer vehicle-miles were traveled per person in 2007 than in 1990…Oregon has reduced its per capita carbon dioxide emissions from gasoline in cars by 14 percent since 1990, while Washington has reduced those emissions by 11 percent.
…Both states have used strong and consistent public policies to encourage the use of alternatives to vehicles and to promote patterns of development that reduce dependence on cars.
…Washington has encouraged employers to find ways to reduce the number of workers coming to work each day in single-occupancy vehicles. Oregon, meanwhile, has a track record of promoting “smart growth” policies…encouraging compact, mixed-use development where more tasks can be completed by bike, on foot, or via transit.