Green California Summit
April 7-9, 2008, Sacramento Convention Center

Climate Change: How state and local governments are addressing the challenge.
When: Tuesday, April 8, 3:15 - 4:30 pm
Speaker: Ben Ritchie, Senior Project Manager, PMC

“Think global, act local” is more than just a catch phrase. In response to a variety of concerns, including climate change and AB 32, many local governments are quantifying and initiating measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The issue of climate change has become a hot topic under CEQA, and has been the subject of legal challenges as to the adequacy of environmental review.  This session will outline a comprehensive local solution that effectively addresses climate change, and may provide cities and individual project applicants with insulation from legal challenges as to the adequacy of greenhouse gas emissions analyses in subsequent CEQA documents. 

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Great Valley Center’s Annual Conference:
“Green Momentum”
May 7-8, 2008, Sacramento, CA

Going Beyond Green: Fostering Sustainable Communities

What does sustainability mean, and how does it relate to long-range planning? As the Central Valley's urban environments increase in size and number, answers to these questions are important to fostering long-term social, economic and environmental viability. Long-range planning is an ideal tool to establish goals, objectives, policies and actions that move communities toward achieving sustainability. 

This engaging panel discussion and interactive session will focus on infusing sustainability principles into long range planning. The panel will emphasize aspects that make great communities, such as providing a variety of housing options, sustainable energy and water practices, availability of employment, and more.  The City of Madera will share their experience in developing plans with an eye toward sustainability. The City is in the process of updating its General Plan, and will highlight how sustainability is being incorporated into this long range planning document, including the addition of a new Sustainability Element. The Executive Director of the Local Government Commission will then share resources and tools specifically designed for local governments aimed at fostering sustainability and livable communities.

Panel:

Jim Carney, PMC, Senior Associate

Judy Corbett, Local Government Commission, Executive Director
Dave Merchen, City of Madera, Community Development Director
Jill Savery, PMC, Sustainability Services Manager

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AIA 2008 National Convention and Design Exposition
May 15 - 17, 2008, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center

Legal Aspects of Design Review
Presenter: Mark J. Brodeur, FIUD