AG Sues County To Stop Sprawl

In an unprecedented action, the California attorney general has sued the nation's largest county for its policies promoting urban sprawl. A key piece of the argument is that sprawl -- with its far-flung houses and stores connected by smoggy roads -- contributes to global warming emissions. The alternative to sprawl that many communities around the country are promoting is loosely referred to as "smart growth." The idea is to promote renewal of existing urban areas and when new communities are built, build them around a tight grid of streets that allow people to walk to jobs and stores more often than they drive. In California, that trend got an unprecedented boost by the attorney general, according to a story in the June 6 USA Today. Already bought that little patch of heaven in the suburbs? Here are 10 tips for reducing gas consumption when you do have to drive to town.