Portland's regional government approved a climate strategy Thursday that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the metro area by 29 percent over 20 years.
The strategy was required by a state law passed in 2009.
It includes options for encouraging public transit, biking and walking. It outlines street and highway improvements to move traffic more efficiently. And it calls for cleaner fuels and more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Metro Councilor Bob Stacey says the idea is to align local land use and transportation plans to address climate change.
"This will be a model that can be adopted by metropolitan areas across the globe in dealing with the transportation portion of what remains the biggest challenge of the 21st century," he said.
Stacey says raising enough money to implement the plan will be the biggest challenge. The plan is projected to cost $24 billion.
Angus Duncan, who chairs the Oregon Global Warming Commission, applauded the plan as a "significant step forward for the state of Oregon."
However, he noted, the state will still have approve plans for low-carbon fuels and reduce its use of coal-fired electricity before it will reach its goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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