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

Carper: Climate Bill Must Focus on Transport, Not Just Power Plants

Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), chief sponsor of a plan to give green transportation 10 percent of the emissions allowances in the upcoming climate change bill, took to the pages of his home-state newspaper yesterday with an op-ed that begins with a pithy description of "the problem":

1_P1010826m.jpgSen. Tom Carper (D-DE) (Photo: DTI)

We use a gas tax to fund our nation's transportation system. That means that we pay for roads
and transit by burning gasoline. It also means that when Americans
drive less, transportation funds dry up.

How, then, can we in Washington ask cities and states to help combat
climate change by reducing the amount their residents drive, when doing
so will deprive them of federal transportation dollars? We would be
punishing local governments for doing the right thing, and that is not
acceptable.

Carper also offered an answer to skeptical rural officials, such as the South Dakotan who testified at a field hearing last week that less-populated areas would be better off decreasing emissions from agriculture than trying to tackle cleaner transportation:

Our legislation directs cities and states to determine how much theycan reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their transportation systemsby investingin driving alternatives, public transit, intercity passenger rail,transit-oriented development, sidewalks and more. States and citieswith more ambitious plans will receive more federal funds -- finallyrewarding local governments for doing the right thing.

This aspect of Carper's proposal, also known as "CLEAN TEA," is pivotal. Setting emissions targets would be up to states and metro areas, not forced upon them by federal policy-makers. A state that determined its ability to cut transport-based pollution was limited could propose a lower emissions target and accept less of the 10-percent pot.

But wouldn't that penalize South Dakota and other states that have less transit potential? No more than the current guarantee of 92 cents' return for every gas-tax dollar sent to Washington has penalized states such as New York, where less driving has come to mean less aid available for transport.

In fact, the White House's high-speed rail effort offers proof that the promise of federal funds can get almost every state interested in green transportation. Forty out of 50 states have begun the process of competing for $8 billion in rail, according to the U.S. DOT.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

‘Bean-Counting Street Safety’: Advocates Blast Gale Brewer’s Daylighting Flip-Flop

The Upper West Side pol's inconsistent safety record is getting a second look from activists who once supported her.

October 2, 2025

There’s Good Science Behind the Human Craving for Livable Streets

It's time to understand the science of pedestrian-friendly cities. Or, why streets should be designed like gardens.

October 2, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Mourning Becomes Enforcement Edition

Why were cops ticketing cyclists at the very intersection where a bike rider was killed by a driver on Saturday? Plus other news.

October 2, 2025

Trump Culture War Tantrum Turns to Gateway Tunnel and Second Ave. Subway

It's the second time the Trump administration has denied New York transit funding in as many days.

October 1, 2025

West Side Pols Call on Trump Administration to Stop Illegally Blocking 10th Ave. Bike Lane

The DEA blockade of the 10th Avenue bike lane continues, and local politicians are demanding the federal agency stop denying cyclists safety.

October 1, 2025

When the DOT Takes Your Bike: A Cyclist’s Guide to Getting It Back 

A bike commuter's frustrating journey through New York's bureaucratic maze reveals a hidden problem affecting cyclists citywide. 

October 1, 2025
See all posts