2007 LAND USE CONFERENCE SCHOLAR COMPLETES SUMMER INTERNSHIP
WITH CENTER FOR CLEAN AIR POLICY IN SACRAMENTO

Ian Reiss Peterson, a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate student selected by his professors to attend the 2007 Central California Annual Land Use and Planning Law Conference in San Luis Obispo, was hired as an intern by the Washington D.C.-based Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) in Sacramento.

Peterson, who is in the City and Regional Planning master’s program and is Cal Poly’s Student Representative to the American Planning Association, met CCAP Senior Policy Analyst Suzanne Reed at the Land Use and Planning Conference, where she was the keynote speaker.  Peterson had been the recipient of a scholarship to attend the conference.  “I was really fascinated by discussions on the CEQA process,” says Peterson.  “Having the opportunity to attend the conference opened up the black box of the professional world to me.”

Peterson was assigned to the Land Use Subgroup of the Climate Action Team, where he attended meetings between various agencies and interest groups tasked with implementing climate change legislation, including the Air Resources Board, Smart Growth America, the California Energy Commission, and the Office of Planning and Research.  He was asked to do research on relationships between land use planning and vehicle miles traveled.  He was also asked to assist the Energy Commission on land use issues.  “Next to transportation,” says Peterson, “there are large opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation and building practices.”  Peterson was also part of a group asked to review and provide input on a proposed “Green Plan” which the City of Los Angeles wants to implement.

Being involved in these think tanks and brainstorming ideas was all very exciting work for Peterson, who will finish his master’s degree next June.  “I see a big gap between what is being mandated at the state level and what is being done locally.  I would like to concentrate my energy on helping communities incorporate best practices addressing climate change,” says Peterson.

Peterson wanted to thank the corporate sponsors of the Land Use and Planning Law Conference scholarship program, and would recommend the program without a doubt.  “My internship came about because of the contacts I made there,” he says.  He also credits the Cal Poly CRP department for an outstanding program and for the effort to which the professors go to stay connected to the professional world.  “Bill Siembieda, my department chair, promoted CRP students to Suzanne Reed and CCAP as interns after the conference, and encouraged me to go for it.”

The 2008 Central California Land Use Conference will be held on April 4 at the Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort in San Luis Obispo.