American Power Act Endorses Expansion of Clean Transportation Options

May 13, 2010
By Transportation for America

Climate, energy and transportation linked to reduce oil consumption and decrease emissions

Transportation for America, the largest, most diverse coalition working on transportation reform, expressed support for key provisions of the Kerry-Lieberman American Power Act as a major endorsement of clean transportation options to spur energy independence and climate protection.

“On top of a number of other issues, our coalition has been working since day one to stress the essential need to connect America’s climate and energy goals with a renewed national vision for transportation that lessens our dependence on oil, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and expands safe, clean and affordable transportation options for everyone,” said Transportation for America Director James Corless. “The American Power Act represents a key step towards creating a long-term policy that will meet our country’s future climate, energy and transportation goals.”

Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Lieberman (I-CT), with key support from Senator Carper (D-DE), made clear the critical connection between clean transportation and the environment by including necessary provisions that will ensure that revenues generated from the transportation sector go towards meeting the growing demand for more, better and cleaner transportation options, reduce oil consumption and decrease emissions.

“This legislation recognizes the critical role that transportation plays in our nation’s energy addiction,” said John Robert Smith, former mayor of Meridian, Miss., and president and CEO of Reconnecting America. “It gives communities additional funding to implement local plans to invest in community transit, complete streets or green freight facilities.”

Roughly a third of climate-harming emissions and 70 percent of oil consumed in the U.S. come from the transportation sector. As the BP oil spill so vividly reminds us, every gallon of oil we save not only helps the planet, but also makes our nation more secure. Key provisions of this bill would provide states and local communities with some of the resources needed to reduce this dependency by providing consumers with safe, clean and affordable options for public transportation, walking and bicycling, as well as better-managed, less congested highways.

These investments will help spur small businesses and expand American manufacturing of clean energy technologies that we will need to compete in a 21st century economy. Not only will this create jobs and expand our economy but it will help Americans spend less money at the gas tank and save money on transportation.