Welcome to Monitor Notes: February 21, 2023, an email newsletter featuring regional news, event announcements, and updates from around the Bay Area.
Bay Area League Day 2023
10:00 am – 1:00pm
Meeting Bay Area Legislators
Fighting Voter Cynicism with
State Senator Josh Becker
LWV Bay Area hosted Senator Josh Becker to talk about what he and his Senate colleagues have been doing to fight voter cynicism while listening to the voices of diverse interest groups and crafting legislation. This is the beginning of a series of conversations with BayArea legislators. Watch the interview here on our Youtube channel.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District Updates
The Air District is urging the passage of AB 953 to expand Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program statewide.
Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies currently covers the San Francisco Bay and Southern California coastal regions and incentivizes companies to incorporate sustainable shipping practices across their global supply chain. By creating slow speed zones where ocean-going container vessels and other ships voluntarily travel 10 knots or less in the designated areas, the program helps improve air quality and human health outcomes while protecting endangered whales.
“The continued success of the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program provides ample justification for the need to build upon and expand the program,” said Sharon Landers, interim executive officer of the Air District. AB 953 can change that and protect air quality and whales along the entire California coast.” Visit BAAQMD for the complete press release and for more information.
Decarbonization – Implications for the Gas System and What Local Governments Are Doing
Many local jurisdictions have been working to decrease the use of natural gas in buildings in order to meet energy and climate goals. Some are considering when natural gas use should be stopped completely, proposing “end-of-flow” policies to drive electrification and planning for the retirement of the natural gas system. This forum will explore the legal, technical, regulatory, and financial dimensions related to ending natural gas use, which will influence energy codes and policies moving forward. Speakers will examine the challenges and issues involved, the role of local governments, and opportunities to collaborate with state agencies and utilities to ensure the energy transition is timely and equitable. This Forum is free and open to all and will be in a hybrid format with an option to attend virtually or in person.
Tuesday, March 21st, 2023
9:00AM–12:00PM
Register Here
Concord Reuse Project Delayed Again, Council Drops Master Developer
Victor Flores from Greenbelt Alliance originally published this on December 22, 2022, and updated the story in February to reflect recent developments.
After several hours of public comments and two special City Council meetings, the City of Concord decided to reject the term sheet for the Concord Reuse Project, formerly known as the Concord Naval Weapons Station, in a 3-2 vote. With this decision, Concord will let the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) expire and part ways—at least for now—with current master developer Concord First Partners.
This is a crucial project to help alleviate the crippling housing crisis in the Bay Area. The Concord Reuse Project is slated to deliver over 12,000 homes, including 25% affordable, which is significant when considering that the latest RHNA allocations mandate that Concord plan to accommodate over 2,000 units of low and very low-income housing. It will also boost the region’s overall climate resilience by adopting strategies to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. It is located right next to the North Concord BART station and offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to locate thousands of new homes in a climate-resilient, transit-oriented location.
For more information visit the Greenbelt Alliance’s page here.