Feds Still Forcing Transit Agencies to Bow to Private Charter Buses
Streetsblog Capitol Hill reported yesterday that the U.S. DOT would end a Bush-era mandate to reward new transit projects for using private contractors -- but a similar pro-privatization rule for bus service remains in effect, preventing local transit agencies from competing with private charter companies.
September 3, 2009
Biden on Stimulus Aid to Cities: ‘We’re Trying … It’s Imperfect’
Vice President Joe Biden acknowledged today that the White House's economic recovery push has created stumbling blocks for cities hoping to take advantage of the stimulus, but he defended the administration's efforts to take a more holistic view of transportation, housing, and other urban concerns.
September 3, 2009
Today’s Headlines
More coverage of the House’s state-level stimulus spending report (JOC, Reuters) Exposing yet another commentator’s irrational skepticism for high-speed rail (WSJ) Wyoming DOT seeks $100 million in stimulus money — two-thirds as much as its total road pot — for wildlife crossings (Star-Trib) Er, the Secretary of Energy is a “radical global warming activist”? (WashIndy)
September 3, 2009
Killing the Myth of the ‘More Shovel-Ready’ Road Stimulus
During debate over the White House's $787 billion economic stimulus law, transit advocates watched as their projects were shortchanged and more "shovel-ready" road projects got the lion's share of the transport pot -- about $8.4 billion, compared with $27.5 billion for highways and bridges.
September 2, 2009
U.S. DOT to Stop Rewarding Transit Projects That Use Private Contracts
The Obama administration will reverse a Bush-era policy that gave proposed transit projects a leg up in the chase for federal money if their operations and maintenance were to be contracted out privately, according to a regulation finalized today.
September 2, 2009
Florida Guv, a Fair-Weather Friend of Rail, Backs Out of Climate Fight
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R), facing a challenge from the right as he stumps for a U.S. Senate seat, is shedding his already shaky environmental credibility as fast as he can.
September 2, 2009
Today’s Headlines
All Things Considered takes an in-depth look at high-speed rail (NPR) Consumers, even those in Generation Y, support a ban on texting while driving (WSJ) Florida’s new GOP senator is an environmentalist — but for how long? (TNR) Another so-sad-it’s-funny conservative fairy tale: “Sustainable communities” means we’ll all live in hobbit-sized homes! (Heritage) Pennsylvania DOT … Continued
September 2, 2009
White House Hails Kansas City’s Stimulus-Backed ‘Green Impact Zone’
Cities have been rather shortchanged by the stimulus law's road funding -- though transit money has been more amply directed to large urban areas -- but the Obama administration found a stimulus success story today in Kansas City.
September 1, 2009
‘Clunkers’ Consequences: GM Sales Down, Ford Gas-Guzzlers Up
When Congress tripled the size of the "cash for clunkers" program in July, both Congress and the White House billed the $3 billion program as a boon for struggling domestic automakers. But when those Detroit car companies released sales figures today, the numbers didn't quite match up to the hype.
September 1, 2009
EPA to Declare CO2 a Pollutant, Release Final Fuel-Efficiency Rules
Environmental Protection Agency chief Lisa Jackson made news on two fronts in a meeting with reporters yesterday: she is preparing to officially declare carbon dioxide a pollutant under the Clean Air Act and release the final version of the Obama administration's new fuel economy standard for autos.
September 1, 2009