California tackles sprawl to combat greenhouse gases
California is set to make history, as the state so often does.
This time, California’s state legislature is on the verge of passing the country’s first law that targets housing sprawl in an effort to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. You can read about the state’s proposed law here at the online home of the Los Angeles Times.
The legislation, if passed by the state legislature, would offer financial incentives to move public funds away from developments that promote housing sprawl. State officials hope the legislation encourages developers in California to plan their housing subdivisions and commercial projects so that residents can more easily live close to where they work. That, of course, would reduce the amount of time they spend driving their cars.
The measure actually stands an excellent chance of passing, with builders endorsing it. This is good news, and hopefully a model of environmentally friendly building that other states will follow.
This type of legislation, by the way, is an example of true green building. To me, green construction doesn’t mean tearing down a small home and building a giant residence in its place with geothermal heating units, energy efficient windows and solar panels. True green housing happens when people stay out of their cars and walk to public transportation, or ride their bicycles to the library because it’s so close. It happens when homeowners decide not to demolish their smaller home but rather to live a more simplified lifestyle. I’ll never be convinced that any house with more than 3,000 square feet of living space is a green one, no matter how many energy efficient appliances its owners stuff it with.
Tags: California, housing sprawl, Los Angeles TimesRelated Stories
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