21180.5.
(a) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (d) of Section 21178, an “environmental leadership project,” “leadership project,” or “project” includes a project to construct a fixed guideway and related fixed facilities that meets all of the following conditions:(A) The fixed guideway operates at zero-emissions.
(B) (i) If the project is more than two miles in length, the project
reduces emissions
by no less than 400,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases directly in the corridor of the project defined in the applicable environmental document over the useful life of the project, without using offsets.
(ii) If the project is no more than two miles in length, the project reduces emissions by no less than 50,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases directly in the corridor of the project defined in the applicable environmental document over the useful life of the project, without using offsets.
(C) The project reduces no less than 30,000,000 vehicle miles traveled in the corridor of the project defined in the applicable environmental document over the useful life of the project.
(D) The project is consistent with the applicable sustainable
communities strategy or alternative planning strategy.
(E) The project is consistent with the applicable regional transportation plan.
(F) The project applicant applies for certification by January 1, 2023.
(G) The project applicant demonstrates how the applicant has incorporated sustainable infrastructure practices to achieve sustainability, resiliency, and climate change mitigation and adaptation goals in the project, including principles, frameworks, or guidelines as recommended by one or more of the following:
(i) The American Society of Civil Engineers’ sustainability, resiliency, and climate change policies and standards.
(ii) The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure’s Envision Rating System.
(iii) The United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.
(2) For purposes of this section, “fixed guideway” has the same meaning as is defined in Section 5302 of Title 49 of the United States Code.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 21189.1, the certification by the Governor of a project described in this section shall expire if a lead agency fails to approve the project by January 1, 2024.