More on McCain’s Anti-Transit and Coburn’s Anti-Bike Amendments
As Streetsblog Capitol Hill reported yesterday, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) offered amendments striking money for more than 20 transit projects from the bill that funds the U.S. DOT next year.
September 15, 2009
The New White House Fuel Efficiency Rule: Count the Loopholes
The final fuel-efficiency rule released by the Obama administration this morning includes what some lobbyists have nicknamed "the German provision," giving automakers that sell less than 400,000 vehicles in the U.S. an exemption for 25 percent of their fleet.
September 15, 2009
White House Releases Fuel Efficiency Rules — Will the Loophole Make it in?
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Environmental Protection Agency chief Lisa Jackson will head to the White House briefing room this afternoon to release the final version of fuel-economy rules that will bring the nation's auto fleet to an average of 35.5. miles per gallon by 2016.
September 15, 2009
Today’s Headlines
Note to conservatives: You should be fans of passenger rail! (Am. Thinker) Florida Gov. Charlie Crist’s transportation record becomes fodder for his foes (Politico) Are federal stimulus dollars working for minority contractors in Illinois? (CPR) D.C.’s real-time government data-sharing wins a Harvard award … (WaPo) … but does Harvard know about the city’s grim record … Continued
September 15, 2009
California County Now Offers Ride Insurance to Car-Free Commuters
Transit and bike commuters in many cities are able to rush home quickly if an emergency strikes -- but for commuters looking to give up their cars in less dense areas, an emergency often means a pricey cab ride. One California county that falls in the latter camp, Santa Cruz, has come up with a unique solution: "ride insurance."
September 14, 2009
Planetizen Unveils Its Top 100 Urban Thinkers
She may be experiencing an intellectual reconsideration in some corners, but Jane Jacobs is still a beloved figure for the urban planners and designers of Planetizen.
September 14, 2009
Oberstar Stands Firm on Transportation Bill, Gets Industry Backup
In case any doubts remained about his willingness to challenge the White House and the Senate on prompt passage of a long-term infrastructure bill, House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar's (D-MN) op-ed in the Politico this morning should clear them up:
September 14, 2009
McCain’s Transit Hit List: Get the Details
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), a self-styled foe of what he labels wasteful government spending, has launched a broadside against transit projects in the U.S. DOT's 2010 spending bill, which is slated for a vote this week in the upper chamber of Congress.
September 14, 2009
Today’s Headlines
More on the “axe the stimulus plaques” proposal that Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) wants attached to the 2010 U.S. DOT spending bill (Think Progress) How “sustainable cities” can move from talk to action … (Guardian) … and more details on this week’s Obama administration “sustainable communities” tour (EPA Press) Electric car makers getting very optimistic … Continued
September 14, 2009
Stimulus Spotlight: Delaware Town Boosts Bike-Ped Access to Bus Stop
The new Route 43 bus in Middletown, Delaware, stops at many popular places: the local high school, the retail shopping district, and the Methodist church, to name a few. But the park-and-ride that helped riders access the bus was clogged with cars, which the state DOT attributed to higher transit demand.
September 11, 2009