California Air Resources Board Appoints APA California Board Member Pete Parkinson to Newly Created Advisory Committee on Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

California Air Resources Board Appoints APA California Board Member Pete Parkinson to Newly Created Advisory Committee on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

(February 11, 2009) – SACRAMENTO – Sonoma County planner Pete Parkinson will represent American Planning Association California (APA California) as a member of the newly assembled Regional Targets Advisory Committee (RTAC), created by Senate Bill 375 (SB 375). Parkinson’s RTAC appointment marks a milestone for APA California and recognizes the organization’s contributions in shaping SB 375, the landmark legislation passed last year that aligns housing and transportation planning for the first time.

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) appointed RTAC members, whose expertise spans a variety of fields, to set regional targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles. As an RTAC member representing APA California, Parkinson will provide recommendations from the perspective of a practicing professional planner on factors to be considered and methodologies to be used in the target-setting process.

“The recommendations made by the RTAC will help reshape the future of California development, shifting us away from sprawl-driven growth toward a more sustainable quality of life,” said APA California President, Kurt Christiansen, AICP. “It is only fitting that APA California has a voice in these recommendations and Pete Parkinson is the best choice for that role.”

Other RTAC members include representatives of metropolitan planning organizations, local transportation agencies, air districts, the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties, and other organizations involved with planning, the environment, environmental justice and affordable housing.

A professional planner for more than 24 years, Parkinson is currently director of the Sonoma County Permit and Resource Management Department, the agency responsible for all aspects of permitting and land use planning in unincorporated Sonoma County. He resides in Santa Rosa, Calif.

About American Planning Association California
Chartered in 1978, American Planning Association California (APA California) aims to provide the vision and leadership that fosters better planning in California through its network of nearly 6,500 practicing planners, citizens and elected officials committed to urban, suburban, regional and rural planning. APA California offers a wide spectrum of benefits to its members including information, services, professional development, networking and support to advance planning in California. For more information, visit APA California at www.calapa.org.

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