480,000 People, $1.4 Billion in Critical Infrastructure at Risk from Sea Level Rise in California
Toshiba and Volkswagen to Develop Electric Cars European auto maker Volkswagen and the Japanese Toshiba Corporation recently announced their plans to begin working together to develop electric drive units for vehicles. The cars will be part of VW’s new family of small cars. Volkswagen chairman, Dr. Martin Winterkorn, said the company’s goal is to be the first auto manufacturer to mass-produce [.]Posted in: Batteries, Electric Cars, Transportation |
| Press Release: “Complete Streets” Bill Introduced to Help Americans Save on Transportation Costs, Cut Congestion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Sean Crowley, 202-572-3331, scrowley@edf.org
Dan Cronin, 202-572-3354, dcronin@edf.org
(Washington, D.C. – March 12, 2009) Americans nationwide could face less traffic congestion and cut their transportation costs if Congress passes legislation introduced today by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), “The Complete Streets Act of 2009.” U.S. Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced the bill last night in the U.S. House of Representatives.
A complete street takes into account all users of the street — not just those in cars — and is a safe corridor for people traveling by foot, bicycle, transit, and car. More than 80 jurisdictions nationwide already have adopted complete streets policies though legislation, internal agency policies and design manuals, including Salt Lake City, Seattle, Charlotte, NC, and Bloomington/Monroe County, Indiana, They have been shown to improve safety and encourage healthy and active lifestyles.
“The Complete Streets Act of 2009″ directs state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and Metropolitan Planning Organization”s (MPOs) to adopt complete streets policies on future federally funded transportation projects within two years.
“Senator Harkin and Congresswoman Matsui understand that unless we change how we build our roads, we will face an endless cycle of rising transportation costs, increased congestion, and more pedestrian and cycling accidents,” said Michael Replogle, a Department of Transportation (DOT) adviser and Transportation Director at Environmental Defense Fund. “In today”s economy, every community wants more safe transportation options that are less expensive and our state transportation departments must adjust accordingly.”
Complete streets also help the pocketbook. The average American who lives in an area that”s walkable and has transit spends only 9% of their income on transportation, while a person living in an area that requires driving spends more than 25%. In addition, complete streets are cost effective because when cities and towns build streets correctly the first time, they reduce congestion, pollution, and local contributions to the global warming problem by providing several travel options.
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Eco-Friendly Fuels at I-5 Rest Stops Common man and policy makers both are increasingly being made aware of the importance of clean and green fuels in near future. The governors of 3 states have come forward with a plan to transform Interstate 5 from a freeway dotted by gasoline burners to a sanctuary for eco-friendly cars and trucks. The people [.]Posted in: Biofuels, Hydrogen Fuel, Transportation |
| 480,000 People, $1.4 Billion in Critical Infrastructure at Risk from Sea Level Rise in California So says the Pacific Institute, which recently released a bunch of online maps on the topic. The institute used the same exact data as I did when I produced maps for the entire lower 48.I found it interesting that the county I currently reside in (San Mateo), will be the most affected county in all [.] |
| SDU Posting from Guatemala and Nicaragua Over the next month or so we will be posting from our secret headquarters in Guatemala, with a slight detour to Nicaragua for about a week.Reality Check - We are working on two development projects. |