9:35pm | The city of Long Beach has announced that an open house will be held on Tuesday at a local library branch to educate the the public about a plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The open house event will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on May 3 at the Mark Twain Library, 1401 E. Anaheim St.

According to information provided by the city, the plan is being developed by the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, an organization that addresses issues related to regional planning, economic development and overall quality of life in the Southeast Los Angeles County (Gateway) sub-region.  

The COG is working with its member cities, such as Long Beach, to develop this plan, according to City Hall.The COG chose Long Beach as the location for this open house because of the strategies the city is already planning and implementing, some of which will be on display during the open house.

The plan, called a Sustainable Communities Strategy, or SCS, compiles city, county and regional data in the following three categories, all of which are expected to influence land change and land use and transportation patterns:

  • Transportation projects. This includes bicycle and pedestrian improvements, such as separated bikeways, intersection improvements, and traffic signal synchronization, etc. that help reduce auto usage and emissions. Examples include the significant mobility and bicycle-friendly efforts under way in the City of Long Beach.
  • Land use changes. This involves more sustainable development near existing or planned transit stations. Examples include Transit Oriented Development along Long Beach Boulevard.
  • Travel demand management. This refers to programs like shortened work weeks and employer-sponsored ride sharing, which enable commuters to use their personal cars less often while still getting to and from work. Examples include the City Hall ride-sharing program and alternative work schedules.

Senate Bill 375 is a California law that sets requirements for developing greenhouse gas emission targets for cars and light trucks. Local metropolitan planning organizations are required to develop a Sustainable Communities Strategy that identifies how the region will meet its greenhouse gas emissions targets.

The COG SCS will be incorporated into a larger plan covering the six Southern California counties. These projects and strategies are expected to be implemented by one of two target years: 2020 or 2035. The California Air Resources Board has set regional emission reduction targets for each of these years.

The COG is holding additional public information sessions about the SCS in May:

  • Monday, May 9: Pico Rivera – Golf Course – Banquet Room, 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

  • Thursday, May 12: Commerce – Senior Center, 6:30 – 8:30 pm

To learn more about the Gateway Cities SCS, please visit Gatewaycog.org/sb375.html.