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Energy, Environmental Considerations Could Be Included in Transportation Bill for First Time

June 9, 2009
Embargo Text:

EMBARGOED UNTIL 9:30 a.m. EST, JUNE 9, 2009

NTPP Member and WRI Transport Director Nancy Kete Comments on Today’s Announcement

The National Transportation Policy Project (NTPP), a project of the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), released its final report to the Obama administration and Congress here this morning.

The recommendations are intended to create a thorough framework within the reauthorization of the transportation bill, which expires September 30. The NTPP calls for U.S. transportation funding to directly serve five clear goals: economic growth, connectivity, metropolitan access, energy and environment, and safety.

This goal and performance-driven system would replace the current programs that are not tied to any clear federal purpose and do not require transparency and accountability for how the federal transportation funds are spent.

In some sectors, a cap-and-trade system, like the one proposed in the current House climate bill (Waxman-Markey), will generate a sufficient push to achieve necessary emission reductions. But the transportation sector responds more slowly to price signals because changes necessary for emission reductions take a long time to implement. This conceptual chart shows how long it would take for different policies – if they were adopted now – to reduce emissions. All these policies will be needed if the country is to achieve emission reductions called for by U.S. and international climate experts.

Nancy Kete, director of EMBARQ - The World Resources Institute Center for Sustainable Transport, a non-profit organization that develops transport solutions for cities around the world, has been one of the NTPP’s key members focused on the energy and environment goals.

“A transportation system that emits a full third of our greenhouse gases and is almost entirely dependent on oil is not sustainable from an economic, national security, or environmental perspective,” Kete said at a panel discussion this morning.

“I am pleased with how much the members have focused on ensuring that transportation policy is responsive to the 21st century challenges of energy security and climate change. We’re calling for a dramatic change in the way transportation investment decisions are made.

“A new bill must play a fundamental role in reducing greenhouse gases over the coming decades. Low-carbon fuels and the Obama administration’s decision to improve fuel economy standards will not be enough for us to reach our targets.”

Kete added, “States and localities will need to consider transportation-demand management measures. Congestion pricing, increasing the quality and supply of transit, and improving integrated transportation and land-use planning will help avoid GHG emissions in the future. 

“The proposed new programs under the NTPP recommendations would allow states and localities full flexibility to meet national goals according to their needs and priorities. The accountability measures and incentive provisions will keep everyone on track towards cutting U.S. GHG emissions potentially required under the Waxman-Markey bill.”

Kete spoke on the panel discussion with fellow NTPP project member Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of DHE Consulting, LLC and former Congressional Budget Office director. The panel followed a press conference and the keynote address from Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) here at the Washington Court Hotel.

The NTPP is chaired by former Mayor of Detroit Dennis Archer, former Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, former Senator Slade Gorton, and former Congressman Martin Sabo. NTPP is composed of a diverse and bipartisan group of transportation experts and business and civic leaders. The BPC acts as an incubator for policy efforts that engage top political figures, advocates, academics, and business leaders in the art of principled compromise.