NGA selects CO for transportation and air quality planning

Gov. Bill Ritter praised the National Governor’s Association Center for selecting Colorado to participate in its NGA Policy Academy on Shaping a New Approach to Transportation and Land Use Planning. Through the Policy Academy, Colorado’s Regional Air Quality Council will be able to develop innovative strategies for managing ozone, particularly related to Colorado’s efforts to develop a plan for meeting the federal ozone standard. 

"Working with the NGA Policy Academy will allow our state to evaluate the best options for cleaner air in Colorado. It will help get rid of the Brown Cloud and provide clean air for our children and future generations," said Gov. Ritter. "Colorado is creating solutions that work for our state and will help us to comply with looming federal air quality regulations."

The NGA Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) has selected five states – Colorado, Maryland, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia – to develop and implement innovative solutions through its Policy Academy.

"The U.S. transportation system is facing significant challenges that affect states in all regions of the country – areas both urban and rural – and impact consumers and industries across multiple economic sectors," said John Thomasian, director of the NGA Center. "States that begin to adjust their approach to transportation and land use planning have the opportunity to increase mobility and transportation choices, enhance economic growth and competitiveness, lower emissions, improve quality of life and make smart investment decisions. Through this Policy Academy, the selected states will help confront the country’s most challenging transportation issues."

To learn more about this initiative and other NGA Center Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Division efforts, visit www.nga.org/center/eenr.