APTA: more transit investment needed in climate bill

William Millar, president, APTA, released a statement regarding the new Transportation Agreement in the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES):

“The American Public Transportation Association (APTA), urges Congress to provide significantly more investment for public transportation to address the serious global warming challenges facing our country today.

Under the new ‘American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009’ (ACES), just passed by the House, states can use less than 1 percent of emission allowances to fulfill matching requirements to receive federal funds for projects such as building new subway lines or acquiring new clean fuel buses. This level of funding falls far short of realizing the potential for public transportation to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. APTA applauds the House of Representatives for passing climate change legislation and recognizing the role of transit, but we strongly urge the U.S. Senate to do more to address transportation-related emissions. 

Transportation presently produces one-third of carbon-dioxide emissions in the United States, and the transportation sector is responsible for approximately 70 percent of U.S. oil consumption. Public transportation currently saves 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually – equivalent to the emissions resulting from the electricity generated for the use of 4.9 million households. That’s every household in Washington, D.C., New York City, Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles combined.

We look forward to continue working with Congress on this very important piece of legislation, and seek that Congress consider dedicated investment for public transportation to have a meaningful impact on reducing global warming.”