EPA Okays Stronger Auto Emissions Standards Now in CA, 13 Other States
The
Environmental Protection Agency today granted California's request for
a waiver allowing greater limits on auto tailpipe emissions, a move
that effectively speeds up the phasing-in of the Obama administration's
fuel-efficiency standards in as many as 13 other states.
June 30, 2009
Lawmakers Investigating the Resignation of Amtrak’s In-House Watchdog
The House oversight committee has launched an official inquiry
into the resignation of Amtrak's veteran inspector general (IG) earlier
this month -- on the same day that an outside law firm reported on
alleged interference with his work by management at the rail
corporation.
June 30, 2009
Report: States Used $6.6B in Stimulus Cash on New Roads, Not Repair
Today is the deadline for state DOTs to allocate at least half of
the transportation money they received under the economic stimulus law,
and Smart Growth America marked the occasion with a study of what types of projects are getting that cash.
June 29, 2009
House Climate Bill on Green Transpo: It’s Better Than You Thought!
The climate change bill that squeaked through the House on Friday
night allows U.S. states to use a share of their carbon emissions
allowances to invest in green transportation, thanks to the combined
efforts of a group of senior Democrats.
June 29, 2009
How Much Operating Aid is Your Local Transit Agency Getting?
President Obama has signed into law a $106 billion war funding bill that includes a provision allowing local transit agencies to spend 10 percent of their stimulus money on operating costs.
June 26, 2009
The Wall Street Tax Shelter That Crashed Your Local Transit Agency
The D.C. Metro accident that killed nine riders this week has renewed calls for rail safety upgrades and reminders that car travel remains far riskier
than transit. But the crash is also shedding light on a problem that
goes beyond Washington: tax shelter deals between banks and struggling
transit agencies -- deals that were given a retroactive pass by
Congress even though the IRS considers them illegal.
June 26, 2009
Boxer and Inhofe Agree: Transportation Policy Reform Can Wait
Green transportation advocates are pressing Congress
to refuse any new spending that's not tied to reform of the existing
system -- a call that influential senators in both parties ruled out
today.
June 25, 2009
Senate Poised to Move on Climate Bill
Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, isn't yet ready to start debating a long-term transportation bill -- but she is reportedly prepared to move on climate change legislation that includes targets for diminishing auto dependence and encouraging transit use.
June 24, 2009
Your Unlikely Reasonable Voice of the Day
Rep. Don Young (R-AK) is not known as a friend of green transportation -- and that's putting it mildly.
June 24, 2009
The High-Speed Rail Numbers Game: Is $13 Billion and 110 MPH Enough?
High-speed rail is one of the Obama administration's most prized policy goals, with $13 billion getting earmarked in the coming year alone to help break ground on up to 11 proposed regional corridors. But what will the U.S. get for its money? A lively Senate hearing yesterday attempted to answer that question.
June 24, 2009