Secretary Omishakin Launches California Sustainable Communities Task Force

Secretary Omishakin Launches California Sustainable Communities Task Force

What you need to know: 30 members have been appointed to this multi-agency body to advance climate, housing and transportation solutions across California.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - In a bold move to accelerate climate action solutions, California Transportation Secretary (CalSTA) Toks Omishakin today announced the California Sustainable Communities Task Force (SCTF) - a cross-sector coalition tasked with catalyzing the implementation of California's climate, housing, equity and transportation goals. Bringing together leaders from every corner of California, the task force will focus on urgent coordinated strategies to deliver on the promise of sustainable, thriving communities.
Inclusive, cross-sector participation on the task force includes leaders from state and regional agencies, local governments, transit providers, community-based organizations, housing and environmental advocates, academic institutions and rural and underserved community voices to shape a comprehensive report of policy recommendations. The task force will develop a set of policy recommendations focused on empowering regions throughout California to reduce emissions, align transportation and land use outcomes and further transition California from planning to action on regional Sustainable Communities Strategies.
"This task force is about turning urgency into action," said Secretary Omishakin. "With Governor Gavin Newsom's bold climate vision guiding us, California is committed to delivering real, measurable progress. By uniting experts and communities from across the state, California is building practical, scalable solutions that will continue to drive sustainable and inclusive growth."

Secretary Omishakin has appointed the following members to participate on the Task Force:

• Aaron Hake, Executive Director of Riverside County Transportation Commission
• Alison Hughes, Chief Consultant of California Senate Housing Committee
• Antoinette Meier, Senior Director of Regional Planning of San Diego Council of Governments
• Colin Parent, Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel of Circulate San Diego
• Dan Dunmoyer, President and Chief Executive Officer of California Building Industry Association
• Eric Will, Policy Advocate of Rural County Representatives of California
• Hana Creger, Associate Director of Climate Equity of The Greenlining Institute
• James Corless, Executive Director of Sacramento Associated Council of Government
• Jeanie Ward-Waller, Interim Executive Director of ClimatePlan
• Julia Kingsley, Consultant of California Assembly Transportation Committee
• Julie Lo, Deputy Director of Programs of Housing California
• Kate Gordon, Chief Executive Officer of California Forward
• Kiana Valentine, Executive Director of Transportation California
• Commissioner Lee Ann Eager, California Transportation Commission
• Lisa Engel, Chief Consultant of California Assembly Housing Committee Consultant
• Liz O'Donoghue, Resilient Communities Strategy Director of The Nature Conservancy
• Mariela Ruacho, Senior Director of American Lung Association
• Matt Maloney, Metro Planning & Policy Deputy Executive Director of Metropolitan Transportation Commission
• Mark Neuburger, Housing, Land Use & Transportation Legislative Advocate of California State Association of Counties
• Maura Twomey, Executive Director of Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
• Melissa White, Staff Director of California Senate Transportation Committee
• Michael Pimentel, Executive Director of California Transit Association
• Sabrina Bradbury, Deputy Director of CALCOG
• Sarah Jepson, Chief Planning Officer of Southern California Association of Governments
• Sean Tiedgan, Executive Director of Shasta Regional Transportation Agency
• Sujata Srivastava, Chief of Policy of SPUR
• Dr. Susan Shaheen, Board Member of California Air Resources Board
• Susanna Reyes, Sustainability Policy Director of LA Metro
• Ted Smalley, Executive Director of Tulare County Association of Governments
• Zak Accuardi, Director of Mobility Choices, Climate and Energy of Natural Resources Defense Council

Additionally, representatives from Caltrans, the California Transportation Commission, California Air Resources Board, Department of Housing and Community Development, the Governor's Office of Land Use & Climate Innovation and the California Strategic Growth Council will work collaboratively with CalSTA to participate in and support SCTF. The Task Force will also be supported by expert researchers and academics from UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies and consultant Egon Terplan.

Advancing State Climate and Equity Goals

The creation of the California Sustainable Communities Task Force builds on over a decade of climate planning, including the passage of Senate Bill 375 (Steinberg, 2008) and the California Air Resources Board's 2022 Scoping Plan, which outlines the state's roadmap to carbon neutrality by 2045.

Key areas of exploration will include:

• Sustainable transportation investments and land use planning
• Transportation system management and pricing strategies
• Climate resilience and adaptation
• Funding and authority needed for regional implementation
• Updated success metrics and modeling approaches

"The Sustainable Communities Task Force is a powerful opportunity to bridge policy and practice," said California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph. "By bringing together diverse voices and aligning our climate, housing and transportation strategies, we can deliver real benefits to communities across California."

The task force will produce a final report in November 2026 with recommendations for legislative, regulatory and budgetary actions to support implementation of Sustainable Communities Strategies and meet statewide greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reduction goals.

For information on the California Sustainable Communities Task Force, visit CalSTA's calsta.ca.gov/newsroom.