January-February 2008
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During the ATU’s 55 th Convention last fall, the delegates approved a resolution dealing with global warming and the energy crisis.
The resolution noted that if Americans used public transportation for just 10% of their daily travel needs, the U.S. would reduce its dependence on imported oil by more than 40%. The measure called upon the ATU to work with its partners in the transit industry and environmental groups to promote the benefits of transit in connection with global warming.
In December, the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works approved ATU-supported “climate change” legislation that would send a portion of the revenues generated from a proposed “cap-and-trade system” to public transportation. The McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act is a landmark bipartisan bill that addresses the critical problem of global warming by mandating that all sections of the U.S. economy (from industries to farmers and landowners) reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through a flexible market-based system of trading emissions.
Since the Democrats took control of Congress one year ago, new Committee Chair Barbara Boxer, D-CA, has focused on the issue of climate change. Boxer recognizes the role that public transit can play in reducing greenhouse gases. In 2005, public transportation use in the U.S. directly prevented the emission of 6.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and 400,000 metric tons of other types of greenhouse gas emissions. These emission savings are from transit riders no longer driving and reduced congestion in urban areas as a result of transit.
The transit provision was authored by new Senator Benjamin Cardin, D-MD. It would allocate 1% of the carbon allowance auction proceeds for exclusive use in meeting the country’s mass transit needs.
If the bill becomes law, early estimates are that the Cardin transit provision will put $46.5 billion into public transit programs across the country between 2012 and 2050.
Energy Bill Signed
On December 19, President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 into law. The legislation creates an ATU-supported Energy Efficiency and Conservation Grants Program, which would provide block grants to state and local governments to invest in energy efficient activities. Among the eligible uses of these grants is investment in local public transportation infrastructure.
An important section of the energy bill which would have provided direct grants to transit agencies to promote increased ridership and service expansion died in the committee process. Those provisions, authored by new House Transportation Committee Chair James Oberstar, D-MN, will be the subject of hearings this year as the Congress begins consideration of a new six-year highway/transit bill. |
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In This Issue
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ATU Supports Green Agenda
Climate Change Legislation Advances | |
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