OAR 660-044-0000
Purpose
(1)
This division implements provisions of chapter 865, section 37(6), Oregon Laws 2009, and chapter 85, section 5(1), Oregon Laws 2010, that direct the Land Conservation and Development Commission (“commission”) to adopt rules setting targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from light vehicle travel in metropolitan areas consistent with the state goal in ORS 468A.205 (Policy) to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 to 75 percent below 1990 levels.(2)
This division also implements provisions of Oregon Laws 2009, chapter 865, section 38 regarding land use and transportation scenario planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Portland metropolitan area. The commission’s intent and expectation is that the requirements set forth in this division will be integrated into and addressed as part of existing procedures for coordinated regional planning in the Portland metropolitan area. The requirements set forth in this division for scenario planning apply only to the Portland metropolitan area. Nothing in this division is intended to require other metropolitan areas to conduct scenario planning, or provide for commission or department review or approval of scenario plans that other metropolitan areas may develop or adopt. While a preferred scenario may include assumptions about state or federal policies, programs, or actions that would be put in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, nothing in this division or commission approval of a preferred scenario is intended to grant authority to the commission, Metro or local governments to approve or require implementation of those policies, programs or actions.(3)
The targets in this division provide guidance to local governments in metropolitan areas on the level of reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to achieve as they conduct land use and transportation scenario planning. Land use and transportation scenario planning to meet the targets in this division is required of the Portland metropolitan area and is encouraged, but not required, in other metropolitan areas. Success in developing scenarios that meet the targets will depend in large part on the state funding for scenario planning; on the state developing strategies and actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from light vehicle travel within metropolitan areas; and on state and local governments jointly and actively engaging the public on the costs and benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.(4)
Land use and transportation scenario planning is intended to be a means for local governments in metropolitan areas to explore ways that urban development patterns and transportation systems would need to be changed to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from light vehicle travel. Scenario planning is a means to address benefits and costs of different actions to accomplish reductions in ways that allow communities to assess how to meet other important needs, including accommodating economic development and housing needs, expanding transportation options and reducing transportation costs.(5)
The expected result of land use and transportation scenario planning is information on the extent of changes to land use patterns and transportation systems in metropolitan areas needed to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from light vehicle travel in metropolitan areas, including information about the benefits and costs of achieving those reductions. The results of land use and transportation scenario planning are expected to inform local governments as they update their comprehensive plans, and to inform the legislature, state agencies and the public as the state develops and implements an overall strategy to meet state goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.(6)
The greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets in this division are intended to guide land use and transportation scenario planning. The targets are based on available information and current estimates about key factors, including improvements in vehicle technologies and fuels. Pursuant to OAR 660-044-0035 (Review and Evaluation of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets), the commission shall review the targets by June 1, 2021, based on the results of scenario planning, and updated information about expected changes in vehicle technologies and fuels, state policies and other factors.(7)
Success in meeting the targets will require a combination of local, regional and state actions. State actions include not only improvements in vehicle technology and fuels, but also other statewide efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from light vehicle travel. The Oregon Department of Transportation prepared a Statewide Transportation Strategy describing state actions that could be implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As metropolitan areas develop scenario plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and compare them to the targets in this division, it is incumbent that metropolitan areas and the state work as partners, with a shared responsibility of determining how local and statewide actions and programs can reach the targets.(8)
Nothing in this division is intended to amend statewide planning goals or administrative rules adopted to implement statewide planning goals.
Source:
Rule 660-044-0000 — Purpose, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=660-044-0000.