Senate’s New DOT Spending Bill Eases One Transit Funding Barrier
During the lengthy process of pursuing a "New Starts" funding agreement with the U.S. DOT, local transit officials are often at the mercy of cost-benefit calculations that have failed to keep pace with evolutions in transport planning. But one aspect of that slog could soon change, thanks to Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA).
August 11, 2009
Today’s Headlines
GM cars on the eBay auction site? It’s coming (NYT) 10 members of Congress dropped $500,000 on a taxpayer-funded trip to investigate global warming — seven of them ended up voting against the House climate bill (WSJ) Seattle orders up new fleet of diesel-hybrid buses (TreeHugger) Giving Mexican trucks access to the U.S. becomes a … Continued
August 11, 2009
30 House Dems Back Transportation Tax on Wall Street Oil Speculators
More than a month after he first proposed the idea, Rep. Pete DeFazio (OR) -- along with 29 fellow Democrats -- has introduced legislation that would levy a small tax on oil futures trades in order to close the yawning gap in the federal transportation budget.
August 10, 2009
Citigroup’s “Cash for Clunkers” Contract Worth $7.7 Million
The U.S. DOT never responded to Streetsblog Capitol Hill's request for a copy of the contract that Citigroup -- which remains one-third-owned by the government after taking a $45 billion bailout -- received to process car dealer claims under the "cash for clunkers" program. But Dow Jones did pry loose one key detail on Friday, reporting that the deal is worth "an estimated" $7.7 million.
August 10, 2009
The Peculiar Federalism of Transit Safety: No National Standards Exist
The recent crash of two D.C. Metro trains has laid bare a glaring lack of authority at the obscure local committee that is supposed to ensure transit riders' safety, as the Washington Post reported today. But the problem is bigger than the nation's capital: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has not issued broad safety rules for rail transit, leaving the issue in the hands of state oversight agencies.
August 10, 2009
Today’s Headlines
D.C. Metro had train control problems before June’s fatal crash that were never revealed (WaPo) Obama signs $7 billion highway trust fund rescue bill into law (JOC) “Cash for clunkers” scammers begin popping up (Daily News) Taxes to pay for transportation become the hot issue in the Virginia governor’s race (WaPo) Oberstar challenges airlines’ use … Continued
August 10, 2009
New ‘Clunkers’ Analysis: Trucks, SUVs More Popular Than Suggested
When the Obama administration first called for more "cash for clunkers" last week, two influential senators said they could not back an extension without stronger efficiency standards for the program's trade-ins -- only to drop their opposition after viewing U.S. DOT sales figures that showed buyers snapping up gas-sipping cars.
August 7, 2009
Electrified Transportation’s Big Week in Washington
While lawmakers were approving billions of dollars to entice auto buyers into moderate fuel-efficiency progress this week, the Obama administration was ramping up its push for electrified transportation.
August 7, 2009
The Senate’s ‘Clunkers’ Vote: Who Crossed Party Lines? (UPDATED)
The "cash for clunkers" car trade-in rebates are alive and well today after an evening Senate vote to give the taxpayer-subsidized program $2 billion -- money that was supposed to go to clean-energy loans and will almost certainly be replaced by new spending.
August 7, 2009
Today’s Headlines
Every state has committed half of their transpo stimulus money, but who’s actually started the most work? Wyoming, at 76%! But Florida’s at 2%, and Oberstar’s putting them on notice (Wash Times, Oberstar’s ofc) “Cash for clunkers” extended by the Senate (WaPo) Nadler’s got Oberstar’s back: “There seems to be a weakness on the part … Continued
August 7, 2009