On Emissions, CA Lawmaker Questions Whether CA Should Lead the Way
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief Lisa Jackson yesterday told
House members that she would soon begin work on new auto
fuel-efficiency rules for the year 2017 and beyond, responding to calls from carmakers searching for certainty -- and warily eyeing the new fuel standards being crafted in California.
April 29, 2010
Federal Transit Security Inspections: A Once-Every-Three Years Affair
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is
linked most closely in the popular consciousness with aviation
security, but its mandate also extends to protecting rail and transit
systems -- a job that needs to get more attention from the agency,
according to senior senators from both parties.
April 26, 2010
U.S. DOT Releases Rules for ‘TIGER II’ Grants, Bringing HUD on Board
The U.S. DOT today released its first round of guidance for the
so-called "TIGER II" program, a $600 million pot of competitive
transportation grants considered a quasi-sequel to the popular $1.5
billion merit-based fund included in last year's stimulus law.
April 26, 2010
U.S. DOT Admits Status Quo Untenable, Vows to Cut Transport Emissions
In its second
Earth Day release, the U.S. DOT yesterday unveiled a 600-page analysis of
transportation emissions mandated by Congress in the 2007 energy bill.
In addition to weighing in on many potential tactics for limiting
transport's contribution to the changing climate, the document notably
recommits the Obama administration to that goal at a time when
Democrats are weighing a delay in the energy debate.
April 23, 2010
Transit Industry Asks Congress to Quadruple Annual Security Funding
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the D.C.
lobbying arm for much of the transit industry, today asked the House
committee in charge of homeland security spending for $1.1 billion next
year to beef up rail and bus security, a four-fold increase over the
level that Congress approved for 2010.
April 22, 2010
New GOP Bill Would Bar Enviro Reviews from Considering Climate
Republicans on the Senate environment committee, who months ago began criticizing
the Obama administration for evaluating federally funded infrastructure
projects for their impact on climate change, today introduced
legislation that would bar the White House from making climate a factor
in environmental reviews.
April 21, 2010
Could L.A.’s Transit Plan Become a Winning Campaign Issue for Boxer?
President Obama did triple duty last night for the re-election campaign of Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), visiting three fundraisers to send a stark message about polls that show the environment committee chairman holding a single-digit lead against her GOP challengers despite a formidable cash advantage.
April 20, 2010