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Freeways Jam up Climate Plan - Tyee

07/03/08

04:08:21 pm, by edoherty

, 235 words

Categories: Gateway, Environment, Delta Port Expansion, Port Mann Twinning, Oil & Gas

Freeways Jam up Climate Plan - Tyee

Freeways Jam up Climate Plan
'Gateway' will wipe out Libs' green goals: expert.

By Tom Barrett
Published: July 3, 2008

TheTyee.ca

The Gateway Program is at odds with the B.C. government's new Climate Action Plan -- and one or the other will have to give . . .

[snip]

Doherty said he thinks the government will eventually shift the Gateway budget to greener projects but will continue to call it Gateway.

For example, the movement of goods could be shifted from trucks to rail and barge, Doherty said.

"Business would have complained about that two years ago. But with the high price of diesel fuel, I think they would be happy to see some high-efficiency goods movement in the region."

Similarly, the government could put money into building transit rather than roads, especially in the outer suburbs.

Transit is a motherhood issue, he said.

"If they were to say 'The new green Gateway program is the transit Gateway,'" I wouldn't complain and I don't think anybody would complain."

How Washington State cut vehicle miles

Doherty said B.C. should follow the lead of Washington State, which recently passed a law that calls upon the government to make substantial cuts in vehicle miles travelled.

Bill 2815 sets the following goals for per capita vehicle miles travelled:

* an 18 per cent reduction by 2020;
* a 30 per cent reduction by 2035; and
* a 50 per cent reduction by 2050.

[snip]

Full story at http://thetyee.ca/News/2008/07/03/FreewayJam/

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The Livable Blog

Our goal as the Livable Region Coalition (LRC) is to provide a voice for those who believe that efficient and sustainable transportation is a cornerstone for the future of the Lower Mainland. We believe that through creating attractive transportation choices, encouraging urban density, and preserving green space and agricultural land, we can make our communities better places to live and grow.

We believe that the provincial government's strategy to pursue excessive development through the Gateway project is detrimental to the well-being of Greater Vancouver. The Gateway project's stated goals of reducing pollution and congestion will not materialize. Evidence for this comes from many sources. Instead, we advocate real solutions that will actually work and will be less expensive.