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Ed Glaeser’s Rail Fail
The story so far: Ed Glaeser recently began an effort to assess the costs and benefits of constructing high-speed rail lines at the New York Times' Economix blog. Last week, he posted
his first substantive take on the issue, an attempt to estimate direct
costs and benefits from a hypothetical line between Houston and Dallas.
August 12, 2009
A Progress Report on State-Level Oil Dependence
America's oil addiction is readily acknowledged, even by its biggest enablers. But what is the nation actually doing to kick the habit and embrace a safer, healthier, more realistic energy future?
August 11, 2009
Senators Propose $4 Billion for Transit-Oriented Development Grants
Making good on a vow first reported
in Streetsblog Capitol Hill, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris
Dodd (D-CT) and three colleagues today offered a bill authorizing $4
billion in grants to help states and cities pursue transit-oriented
development, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and other green
transport projects.
August 6, 2009
Lobby Firm Behind Climate Forgeries Helped Kill Higher CAFE Standards
The Washington lobbying firm of Bonner & Associates is facing protests and a possible wire fraud probe after it was revealed
to have forged at least a dozen letters to Congress this summer that
claimed to represent local grassroots groups opposed to fighting
climate change.
August 5, 2009
Californians Put Environment on Back Burner But Still Support Transit
According to a new survey, the economic benefits of walking, biking and taking transit may ultimately be their strongest selling point for Californians - at least during a recession.
July 30, 2009
Your Burger or Your Car (And More Fun with False Dichotomies)
The Washington Post's Ezra Klein, whose blog is a must-read look at the political dynamics of congressional policy-making, makes an eyebrow-raising assertion in his food column today:
July 29, 2009
How Soon Will Cutting Transportation Emissions Save Money?
Anyone
who kept tabs on the House's climate change bill last month recalls
much acrimonious ado about the plan's impact on average American
pocketbooks. The GOP tossed out cost estimates that turned out to be manipulated, while nonpartisan projections showed the bill actually saving money for low-income families.
July 28, 2009
Oberstar to White House: On Emissions, Back Up Your Words With Action
Appearing this morning at the release of a new report
on transportation's role in fighting climate change, House
transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) challenged the
Obama administration to back up their emissions rhetoric with action
and pass his six-year, $450 billion infrastructure bill.
July 28, 2009
Five Down, Five to Go: Plan Linking Transit to Climate Bill Wins Sponsors
Streetsblog Capitol Hill reported this week
that the Obama administration -- which often talks about reducing
transportation-based emissions -- is staying mum on a bill that would
devote a guaranteed share of revenues from carbon regulation to
transit, bike paths, and other green modes of transport.
July 17, 2009
White House Staying Quiet for Now on Transit’s Role in Climate Bill
Delivering his climate-change message to Congress yesterday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood warned that fuel-efficiency advances
secured by the Obama administration would not be enough to reduce
emissions from transportation -- not without encouraging Americans to
drive less.
July 15, 2009