Last week, Congressmen Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA), along with Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA), celebrated the passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACESA) out of the House Energy and Commerce committee.

The bill advances legislation to strengthen state-level reductions in transportation emissions. On Wednesday, James Corless, director, transportation, for America (T4 America), issued a statement praising the legislation:

"We applaud Congressmen Waxman and Markey for taking a significant step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Representative Matsui is to be commended for her leadership on the bill and her commitment to making transportation a top target for emissions reductions. Important provisions in the bill would help metropolitan areas plan ways to reduce their carbon footprints and provide a modest amount of money for that effort. However, that planning work is likely to fall short unless there is money to implement the clean transportation solutions, such as walkable neighborhoods, better public transportation and safe streets for walking and biking.

"Because the transportation sector is responsible for a third of all emissions, and will likely generate nearly 20 percent of revenues in the bill, it would make sense to invest a share of ACESA in building transportation options that will create green collar jobs and reduce carbon emissions.

"Congress needs to recognize that now is the time to create long-term solutions to the energy and environment problems posed by our current transportation system and we look forward to working with the Transportation and Infrastructure committee as the bill continues to move forward. While we support the initiatives that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, T4 America urges Congress to be more specific in their recommendations for CO2 reductions, and include funding for giving the American people transportation options that will save them money on high energy prices, and help in the effort to stem climate change, both in the clean-energy bill and the upcoming transportation bill."