Streetsblog Capitol Hill
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
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
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
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
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