If we’re serious about reducing CO2 emissions, with nearly a third (28%) of our greenhouse gas emissions coming from the transportation sector, the question won’t be should we try to get cuts from transportation, but rather, what cuts can we get from transportation?’ A new report released Wednesday morning studies that question in depth and demonstrates how we can clean the atmosphere while also reducing our oil dependency, expanding our options for living and getting around and making transportation more affordable overall.

We continue our series on the Transportation for America Blueprint this week with a look at the second of six core objectives we believe Congress must embrace in the next transportation bill — environmental protection, climate stability, and environmental justice. Our country needs a transportation system that keeps our air clean, helps us fight climate change, and protects all Americans — no matter who they are or where they live — from dangerous environmental pollution.

Cities across the world continue their astronomical growth rate. (New York Times) Along with the drop in driving, U.S. carbon emissions see their sharpest drop in more than 25 years. (Washington Post) Memorial Day driving levels are expected to rise over last year. (New York Times)

Download this release (.PDF) (.DOC) Contact: Cosabeth Bullock 202-478-6128 202-904-7466 cbullock@mrss.com Washington — Chairman Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) and members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee are to be commended for releasing a clean energy bill that makes significant advances on long overdue legislation to address the impact of transportation on our climate. The [...]

Download this release (.PDF) (.DOC) Contact: Cosabeth Bullock 202-478-6128 202-904-7466 cbullock@mrss.com Washington, D.C. — A bill introduced today by Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) will significantly advance states’ efforts to reduce transportation-caused greenhouse gas emissions, while providing a broader range of low-cost travel and living options to their residents. Rep. Matsui’s groundbreaking bill, referred to the [...]

U.S. Representative James Oberstar, the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, answers questions from the Kansas City Star about the challenges facing our transportation system and the role of transit in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and oil dependence.

The New York Times editorial board applauds California’s passage of an anti-sprawl bill and urges other states to follow its lead.

With a new bill signed on Tuesday by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, California’s planning agencies gain new ammo in the fight against sprawl, carbon emissions, and climate change. (Associated Press — Steve Lawrence)

A new study from McKinsey and Company shows American consumers as having either direct or indirect control over 65 percent the country’s carbon emissions.

The city council of Hailey, Idaho — which is already working to reduce the town’s greenhouse gas emissions — voted this week to support a campaign for federal transportation reform led by U.S. PIRG. (Idaho Mountain Express — Tony Evans)