Energy security
For decades, our cities, towns, and neighborhoods have been built on the assumption that cheap fuel would allow people to drive their cars for every need.
But with fuel prices skyrocketing through 2008, Americans are suffering as a result of a federal policy that has favored highways over public transit, sprawl over walkable communities, and unchecked demand for crude oil over conservation and long term planning.
By expanding our public transit system and allowing people to go places without driving a car, we can strengthen our economy, help protect the environment, and provide Americans with relief from painful fill-ups at the gas pump.
In an era of $4-a-gallon gasoline, Americans are already hunting for ways to cut back on fuel use and drive down our demand for crude oil – we’re hopping on our trains and leaving our cars in the garage, and we’re unloading houses in distant suburbs in favor of homes in pedestrian-friendly urban centers.
Our dependence on oil leaves us vulnerable to an unstable global market, contributes to climate change, and prevents us from making our economy more secure into the 21st century.
With a reformed transportation program, we can give Americans better, cheaper, and more options for commuting, make our communities safe and convenient for bikers and pedestrians, and break free from our addiction to oil.
Facts:
90% of Americans said in a recent Associated Press-Yahoo News poll that they expect the pain at the pump to pose a financial hardship in the next six months,.” (Source: Schwartz, Nelson D. “American Energy Policy, Asleep at the Spigot?” New York Times, July 6 2008)
69% percent of Americans view our dependence on oil as a high priority issue. By comparison, the percentage of Americans that see health care costs, education, and jobs and the economy as high priority issues are at 68, 64, and 62 percent, respectively. (Source: Harris Interactive December 2007 poll of 1000 likely voters [+/- 3 pts])
This year, public transportation ridership is at its highest point in 50 years . (Source: American Public Transportation Association)
