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HCOG releases 30-day draft of 2026 RTP; board debates 'climate crisis' language and target timing
Summary
HCOG approved release of the 2026 Regional Transportation Plan administrative draft for a 30-day public review. Board members and public commenters debated whether the plan should use 'climate crisis' or 'climate change' language and whether to delay certain mode-shift and housing access targets.
The Humboldt County Association of Governments voted Nov. 20 to release the administrative draft of the 2026 Regional Transportation Plan for a 30-day public comment period, with staff returning a final draft for consideration in February. The board heard extensive public comment and internal debate over messaging, climate language, and several timing modifications to RTP targets.
Staff told the board the update is mostly a "tune-up" to the 2022 RTP and highlighted proposed revisions: extending target timelines for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure by five years, rewriting the housing/VMT goal to reflect a realistic path toward countywide VMT reductions, aligning fleet-transition targets with HTA plans and state clean-fleets rules, and removing school-bus electrification targets given HCOG’s limited jurisdiction over school districts.
A recurring point of contention was whether to replace the chapter title and references from "climate crisis" to "climate change" for consistency with other planning documents. Supervisor Arroyo and others argued for acknowledging the urgency while using language that reduces friction with partner agencies; some public commenters and advocacy groups urged retaining stronger "crisis" language to communicate urgency.
Board members also discussed retaining language that references seniors and mobility, designating additional "major transit stops" (which can affect CEQA analysis and parking requirements), and adding a role for HCOG in the regional climate action plan. Staff said technical updates (maps and exhibits) are still being finalized and invited board members to submit written edits; staff committed to returning more detailed allocation and weighting alternatives for related RHNA work in December.
The board’s motion approved release of the administrative draft for a 30-day comment period (expected to begin immediately and run into late December), with staff to synthesize public input and return revisions in January–February for final adoption to meet Caltrans deadlines.
