Biennial of the Americas seeks answers to tough energy, climate challenges

Today was a great day to be in Colorado. First, I toured a Federal Railroad Administration facility--the work the FRA crew is doing there really deserves its own blog post, so stay tuned for that one next week.

Then, I learned about an exciting new municipal bike-sharing program in Denver with 43 bike stations and more than 400 bikes spread around the city. Mayor Hickenlooper and I even had a chance to test the system by checking out a pair of bicycles and riding them to another station.

But what really drew me to Denver was the Biennial of the Americas, a month-long celebration of the Western Hemisphere. I was there for the Americas Roundtable on Energy and Climate Change: Designing Answers for Today's Challenges and to discuss how DOT is working to manage those challenges.

Why is a Transportation Secretary at an energy and climate change roundtable? Because the transportation sector accounts for two-thirds of of US oil use and contributes about one-third of our greenhouse gas emissions. In other words, transportation professionals have a special obligation to take action. The good news is that transportation's pressure on these twin problems creates an obvious opportunity for our sector to help work toward solutions.

Now, we know that there's no silver bullet for ending our reliance on petroleum or solving the climate crisis overnight. But the Obama Administration is putting America on a new path toward sustainability and a cleaner environment. Best of all, we're doing that while building more vibrant, livable communities for American families. Communities that feature more--not fewer--transportation options.

Speaking at the Biennial, photo courtesy Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Here's a sampling of the actions I shared:

• Raising fuel-economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks to 35.5 mpg by 2016
• Treating biking and walking as valid and valued elements of our transportation network
• Realigning the criteria for transit funds to re-emphasize making our lives and our commutes--better, not just faster
• Beginning to build a high speed passenger rail system
• Increasing fuel-efficiency in aviation through the NextGen air traffic control system
• Supporting development of renewable and alternative energy sources for transportation

I've logged thousands of miles in the past 18 months, and the fact is that Americans are excited about these changes. They're telling me everywhere I go that they want policies that bring affordable housing and transit closer together. They want investments in sidewalks and bike paths and light rail. They want more options--sustainable, efficient and affordable options--for getting from one place to another.

Americans are ready for change; our energy and climate challenges demand change; and the Obama Administration's DOT is bringing it.

Comments

[bikedate]

Great work you are doing, Mr. LaHood. We are in the process of getting approval for a Ciclovia here in Santa Monica on October 10th. Come and ride/walk/play with us!

[David E. Bruderly PE]

Natural gas motor fuels may not be "the" silver bullet, but substituting natural gas for liquid petroleum-based motor fuels TODAY is as good a deal as the American consumer will find given the state of technology, known domestic energy reserves and environmental constraints. Natural gas vehicles, if mass produced, and natural gas motor fuels, are affordable, safe, available, scalable, convenient, clean and reduce carbon emissions by 20% to 30%; better than grid plug-in HEVs and food grain biofuels currently in vogue. Perhaps most importantly these gaseous motor fuels will prepare consumers for intrduction of even more sustainable motor fuels and technologies, like hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, TOMMORROW. Enact policy that will give Americans the power to choose their motor fuels and vehicles wisely, with full disclosure of fact-based performance metrics (based on policy goals) at the point of sale.

[Chris Wilson]

Whilst I realize that a concerted effort must be made to reduce the effects of climate change, I have concerns as to how the funding of new infrastructure to accommodate new transportation options will be made. Will this burden be essentially passed to vehicle owners to fund such schemes?

[Ken Breema]

I'd love to see tax incentives for those who buy cars that get over 35 mpg and tax penalties for those that which get less. Maybe you get or pay $200 for each mpg off of the 35 mpg "norm." So, a 30 mpg car pays an extra $1000 in taxes. Whereas a 40 mpg gets a $1000 tax incentive. A 10 mpg Hummer would pay an extra $5000 in taxes. A 50 mpg Prius would get a $3000 incentive.

Money talks.

[M.O.B.S.]

I like the fact that the Obama administration is taking steps and moving forward on trying to make this country less reliant on foreign oil. It’s nice to see we finally have an administration that is listening to the people that elected them. I like the idea of improving and building more sidewalks and bicycle paths. I love to ride my mountain bike. A high-speed rail system is long overdue. But one thing that has me a little disappointed with your post is, 35.5 mpg by 2016. I honestly believe that the technology is already available to push 45 to 50 mpg. To me 35.5 mpg is a short coming. After we the tax payer have bailed out the auto industry again, I believe there should be more pressure put on them. Pressure to not only payback the money they received, but build a highly efficient vehicle. I think it’s the least they could do for the people that seem to have to continuously bail them out, “The American Tax Payer”. My 2 cents.

[Michael E. Bailey]

Its great that we can for the first time look at both bicycling and walking as legitimate forms of transportation and work to make both easier and safer. And also good news that transit is being seen for what it is as a critical factor in cutting air pollution. These are all important positive changes. Our South Orange County Metrolink terminal in San Juan Capistrano is also going to do a bicycle renting program this year. If it goes well, more Orange County stations will do it next year. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Jordan Hydro]

Floods, droughts, pollution and climate change have created even more problems. It is important that China play an increasingly prominent role on climate change. right??

[Laura Dierenfield]

Very inspiring, Mr. Lahood! Thank you. We have a 10 point plan for action #2: Treating biking and walking as valid and valued elements of our transportation network. We're working to make bicycling a part of Hawaii's Clean Energy Future. Find out more at this link: http://www.pathhawaii.org/?page_id=74

Thank you for your inspiring leadership!

[МДФ фасады]

I have concerns as to how the funding of new infrastructure to accommodate new transportation options will be made. Will this burden be essentially passed to vehicle owners to fund such schemes?

[Huang]

I'm convinced that big comfortable Bus and Bicycle maybe the good method to reduce the energy waste.

[air water heat pump]

A high-speed rail system is long overdue. But one thing that has me a little disappointed with your post is, 35.5 mpg by 2016. I honestly believe that the technology is already available to push 45 to 50 mpg. To me 35.5 mpg is a short coming.