Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Climate Change

House Dems Agree: Climate Bill Can Help Pay for Greener Transportation

10:56 AM EDT on June 24, 2009

Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Tuesday struck a deal ahead of Friday's make-or-break vote on climate change legislation to give greener transportation a place at the table.

The climate bill gives the states 10 percent of its carbon emissions allowances, the total worth of which is projected to hit $70 billion by 2010, to invest in energy-efficiency projects such as solar power or "smart" electricity grids.

Today's agreement allows 10 percent of those state allowances -- yes, 10 percent of 10 percent -- to help pay for transit expansions, new bike trails, or any other transportation efficiency project.

The climate bill already asks states and localities to meet targets for transportation emissions cuts, so the funding pact would back up that mandate with new money.

Energy and Commerce chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) just announced the change alongside transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Anthony Weiner. Here is Oberstar's statement:

I commend Chairman Waxmanfor working with me to ensure that a portion of allowances areavailable for projects that will expand options for publictransportation, bicycling, walking, and other green transportationalternatives for our citizens.  This legislation provides only a smallportion of the funds needed to address surface transportation-relatedgreenhouse gas emissions, but is a very good first step.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Congestion Pricing

The Explainer: What’s Next for Congestion Pricing?

Let's run through the major issues still looming over New York City's first-in-the-nation congestion toll.

December 4, 2023
Congestion Pricing

Monday’s Headlines: Congestion Ahead Edition

Good news: We're not going to start our week with our typical ascent on our long-legged steed to criticize the Times for its flawed, car-centric coverage. Plus other news.

December 4, 2023
Streetsblog USAOp/Ed

Elon Musk’s Cybertruck is the Perfect Killing Machine

The Cybertruck represents a lot of what's wrong with the U.S. transportation system — even as it purports to address those problems.

December 4, 2023
Streetsblog USAHighway Boondoggles

Highway Boondoggles 2023: Salt Lake Shenanigans

Plans for a major freeway expansion based on over-inflated traffic projections are a wrongheaded way to deal with the region’s rapid population growth.

December 3, 2023
Cycle of Rage

Cycle of Rage: Mayor is Failing the Leadership Test on Congestion Pricing

Purely for political and self-serving purposes, Mayor Adams is attacking congestion pricing — and, in doing so, is undermining the implementation of a program that he has long claimed to be a "strong" supporter of.

December 1, 2023
See all posts