Councilmembers warn cap-and-invest reallocation could shrink funding for local climate and transit projects

Councilmember Dickinson told the Law and Legislation Committee he and other members are concerned the State Air Resources Board's reallocation of cap-and-invest funds limited funding for so-called tier-three projects that include climate, transportation and housing investments important to the city. "Aside from any question about whether it fits under Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund guidelines, there's not much relief here when you get when you slice it down to the individual ratepayer," Dickinson said, questioning whether the policy choice effectively sacrifices community-wide investments for small per-ratepayer relief.

Consuelo Hernandez said staff is tracking the cap-and-invest reallocation and discussions about reworking SB 54 (the state's packaging law), and encouraged council involvement with state officials. Committee members asked staff to remain engaged and to use council relationships with state legislators and administration staff to advocate for the city's priorities.