We cannot successfully address the issue of global warming without dealing with transportation, a sector that accounts for nearly one-third of our nation’s carbon emissions. I just finished speaking on the House floor in defense of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) which, after some hard work and negotiating, now includes funding for low carbon transit.
Waxman and Markey have spent countless hours crafting this impressive legislation, which will rein in global warming pollution and create a mechanism to invest in clean, renewable technology. That they included funding for low-carbon transit, like public transportation, complete streets, and bikes, is a nod to the importance of reforming the way we approach our nation’s transportation infrastructure.
As we anticipate next steps with the transportation reauthorization, the funding in ACES will start to spur smart investments that will not only create thousands of jobs at the local level, but will give Americans more commuting choices, improve public health, and reduce our nation’s dependence on oil.
The ACES language on transportation reflects language from a bill I introduced earlier this year called CLEAN-TEA. My legislation called for ten percent of the allocations from a cap on global warming pollution to fund low-carbon transit. ACES falls short of this goal, but it will have a huge impact and is a start in the right direction. The energy and climate bill, which began with absolutely no funding for transit, now includes about $537 million. Eventually this will amount to $1 billion as the allowances become more valuable over time.
I used my time on the House floor to speak about the value of this funding, in hopes that I could draw more attention to an issue that doesn’t receive nearly enough air time. Let this be a prelude to the thoughtful conversation Chairman Oberstar began with his blueprint for the reauthorization.
If we truly want to jumpstart our economy and end our dependence on oil, then we’ll need to continue making smart choices about our nation’s transportation and commuting options. I’ll be voting for ACES in a matter of hours, and I hope this is the first of many steps towards rebuilding and renewing America.
Earl Blumenauer represents Oregon’s 3rd Congressional district.
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Thank you Rep. Blumenauer for all of your important work in the areas of infrastructure, and more specifically, public transportation. Oregonians sure know how to send the right people to Congress.
Thanks, Earl.
Can someone tell me what “low-carbon transit” means? Does this specifically mean non-emitting transit vehicles only, regardless of the VMT reductions they achieve? Or does it just mean any transit that achieves an emissions-relevant degree of VMT reduction?
Woot!
[...] Green Transportation Funding Is Crucial In The Climate Bill And Beyond Rep. Blumenauer guest commentary on Infrastructurist [...]
I would totally disagree on government spending on such things. Especially federal dollars going to fun things such as this. I believe that it’s the state’s business to do these things instead of taking hand outs from the federal government (who btw owns a printing press so they can fund whatever they want to). During this horrible economic downturn you would think that our congress would cut spending and let the market and the people decide what is best, instead of the government telling us what is best for us. This is absolutely absurd!