Public Transportation, Walkable-Community Development Bill Introduced into U.S. House of Representatives
by Matthew McDermott, Brooklyn, NY on 07.17.08
photo by paulkimo9 via flickr
Although it’s being pitched as being a bill for the relief of high gas prices, a new bill introduced into Congress could bring greater environmental benefits than its title might suggest.
The Transportation and Housing Options for Gas Price Relief Act of 2008 (HR 6495) has been introduced in the House of Representatives. Sponsored by Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), the bill is cosponsored by Chris Shays (R-CT), Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), Jay Inslee (D-WA), Jerry McNerney (D-CA) and Hilda Solis (D-CA).
A wide range of transit and urban planning benefits
Funds allocated by this bill would go towards:
1) Expanding public transportation and to help transit agencies deal with high fuel prices.
2) Encourage auto insurance policies that reward low mileage drivers with lower insurance premiums.
3) Providing incentives to employers and employees to take mass transit, carpool, walk or telecommute to work.
4) Helping local governments create walkable, bike-able communities, well-served by public transit by funding local support programs for transportation demand management and for transit agencies to make need investments.
5) Educating people about transportation and housing options.
6) Increasing the availability of “Location Efficient Mortgages” so that owning a home near public transit is more affordable.
7) Helping the Federal Government to lead by example by upgrading websites to that people can access government services without leaving their homes.
Saving money through reduced energy consumption
According to Michael Replogle of Environmental Defense, “This bill would support current transportation options while encouraging the creation of new and necessary transit alternatives. It would ultimately benefit all Americans by saving them gas money, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, alleviating traffic, and reducing pollution.”
That's a good assessment of what this bill potentially can offer. Though we’ll have to wait to see whether the details of the bill get watered down in the debate process, in theory this is very positive development for the expansion of public transportation options in the United States and the rebuilding of civic infrastructures that allow for reduction of personal energy demand and reduce individuals' eco-footprints.
Read the full text of the Transportation and Housing Choices for Gas Price Relief Act of 2008.
Public Transit, Walkable Communities
Public Transit Looking More Attractive in the Face of Record Gas Prices
Israeli New Urbanists: Density Will Make Our Cities Better Places to Live
We Don’t Have an Energy Crisis, We Have a Transportation Crisis
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Public Transportation Day in Israel: Stuck in Traffic
- Bailout Bill has Hidden Tax Break for Cyclists
- A Cool Way to Meet in the Middle and Cut Driving
- The Sigh of Relief You Just Heard Was From the Earth Itself: U.S. Renewable Energy Tax Incentive Extension Signed Into Law
Electric Cars Signal How Auto Companies Can Make a Profitable Transition to a New Economy
|
Survey: Do You Go Camping?
|
This makes too much sense for Congress to pass it :-)
Cool piece of legislation, but I'll wait to see the details (and, most likely, the pork) before I get too excited.
I worked for several years in Detroit on regional transportation issues. The presence of the Big 3 automotive companies made it a very difficult place to try to accomplish anything for obvious reasons. Now, I live in MD, near a DC Metro rail station, and I am astounded at how much fighting exists between DC/VA/MD because everyone seems to like the idea of public transportation, but no one wants to pay for it.
The bill sounds great, but the Feds will need to put a lot of money behind it even if it does pass to make it viable for states to re-design their cities with these issues in mind. My fingers are crossed!
I love #6.
Too bad it probably won't look a thing like the original IF/WHEN it gets passed.
You have to love the sponsors for trying. =]
Transit use is on the rise across the country, and could use a shot in the arm financially. I work with Michael Replogle and concur with his quote above. Though the name of our organization is Environmental Defense Fund...we went back to the future!
Here's my blog post in today's Climateatlas that shows, via a map and some stats, the recent transit trends all over the country:
http://environmentaldefenseblogs.org/climateatlas/2008/07/17/gas-prices-up-3-out-of-4-cities-in-the-us-have-seen-increases-in-public-transit/
"Expanding public transportation and to help transit agencies deal with high fuel prices."
If this expansion doesn't include aggressively increasing the funding for public transportation infrastructure (building more electric trains — including high-speed trains), it falls well short in my opinion.