25G - AGMT BICYCLE PROJ CONSULTING

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Section 101. AHSC Program Overview The AHSC Program furthers the purposes of AB 32 (Chapter 488, Statues 2006) and SB 375 (Chapter 728, Statutes, 2008) by investing in projects that reduce GHG emissions by supporting more -compact, infill development patterns, encouraging active transportation and transit usage, and protecting agricultural land from sprawl development. Funding for the AHSC Program is provided from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), an account established to receive Cap -and -Trade auction proceeds. The Cap -and -Trade Program, a key strategy for achieving the GHG emission reduction goals of AB 32, issues a limited number of GHG emissions permits (called allowances) each year. A portion of these allowances can be purchased from the State at quarterly auctions, thereby generating auction proceeds. These State auction proceeds are then deposited in the GGRF, where they become available for appropriation by the Legislature to further the purposes of AB 32. The AHSC Program is administered by the Strategic Growth Council (Council). The Department of Housing and Community Development (Department) will implement the transportation, housing and infrastructure component of the AHSC Program. The Council staff will coordinate efforts with Department staff, working with the California Air Resources Board (ARB) and the Council to administer the broader AHSC Program, including developing program guidelines, evaluating applications, preparing agreements, monitoring agreement implementation, and program reporting. The Council will coordinate with ARB to develop and incorporate consistent guidance in the following areas, which will apply to all GGRF programs, including the AHSC Program: • Expenditure records to ensure investments further the goals of AB 32. SB 535 (Chapter 830, Statutes 2012) and AB 1550 requirements to maximize benefits to Disadvantaged Communities and Low -Income Communities. • Consistent methodologies for quantifying GHG reductions and other economic, environmental and public health co -benefits. • Project tracking and reporting. The AHSC Program will provide grants and/or loans to projects that will achieve GHG reductions and benefit Disadvantaged Communities and Low -Income Communities through increasing accessibility of affordable housing, employment centers and Key Destinations via low -carbon transportation resulting in fewer vehicle miles traveled (VMT) through shortened or reduced vehicle trip length or mode shift to transit, bicycling or walking. Three project prototypes have been identified to implement this strategy: 1) Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Project Areas, or 2) Integrated Connectivity Project (ICP) Project Areas, or 3) Rural Innovation Project Areas (RIPA). Funds will be allocated through a competitive process, based on the merits of applications submitted and the proposed use of funds within the identified Project Area. The threshold requirements and application selection criteria focus on the extent to which developments realize the AHSC Program's objectives of reducing GHG emissions, benefiting Disadvantaged Communities and Low -Income Communities, providing affordable housing, demonstrating project readiness, and meeting other policy considerations. 2017AHSC Program Guidelines - 4 - July 2017 25G-38