Both proposals stem from a conclusion that the obstacles standing in the way of enacting a new multi-year federal surface transportation program are of a long-term nature and will not be overcome any time soon. These obstacles include the inability of Congress to come up with a meaningful way to pay for the program; the increasingly shaky and uncertain status of the Highway Trust Fund; the pressure for deficit reduction in the fiscal and budgetary actions of the next Congress, especially in the likely event of a Republican takeover; and a low priority given to the reauthorization by the Obama White House (see our NewsBrief of July 16, “New Political Realities May Sidetrack the Transportation Reauthorization”).
View this complete post...Archive for the ‘Funding’ Category
Two Promising New Proposals For Solving the Fiscal Shortfall
Monday, August 9th, 2010Gov. Ed Rendell: Rebuild our Infrastructure
Thursday, August 5th, 2010PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE
By Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell
Most schools are out for a summer break after final grades were toted home in students’ backpacks throughout the country. Around the same time, America got its infrastructure report card — and the results aren’t good.
Imagine sitting around the kitchen table reviewing Junior’s grades. His last report card shows a cumulative average of D. As a family, parent, teacher or community, wouldn’t we do all we could to try to help this student improve? Of course we would.
It’s the same with the state of the country’s infrastructure. Consider some of these “grades,” as reported in the American Society of Civil Engineers’ most recent infrastructure report card: transit, D; energy, D+; dams, D; bridges, C; aviation, D; drinking water, D-; hazardous waste, D; schools, D; and wastewater, D-.
I’d say this defines our infrastructure situation as one in crisis.
View this complete post...Video: Dangerous Crossing
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010BLUEPRINT AMERICA
In recent years a little noticed shift has been transforming suburbia: the home of the middle class has become the home of the working poor. As a result, roadways that were built for the car are now used by a growing population that can’t afford to drive. The consequences can be deadly.
Thermal Renewable Energy and Efficiency Act of 2010: Economics and Impacts
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT ENERGY ASSOCIATION (IDEA)
Even if a U.S. climate bill is passed in 2010, it is likely to be many years before a cap-and-trade system has an impact on energy use. With continued uncertainties regarding U.S. climate legislation, it is now more essential than ever that the U.S. implements other policies that move us toward reduced fossil fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The Thermal Renewable Energy and Efficiency Act of 2010 will stimulate increased use of renewable energy sources to heat and cool buildings throughout the country.
BALCONY FORUM REPORT: Featuring Christopher Ward, Executive Director, Port Authority of NY & NJ
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
BUSINESS AND LABOR COALITION OF NEW YORK
On Friday, June 25, BALCONY, the Business and Labor Coalition of New York, hosted a breakfast forum at the New York Vicinity Carpenters Labor Management Corporation featuring Chris Ward, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. The theme of the event was ‘Building the Region in 2010 and Beyond’ and included expert panelists who discussed the state of infrastructure in New York State and nationally.
Solar and Nuclear Costs — The Historic Crossover: Solar Energy is Now the Better Buy
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
NC WARN: WASTE AWARENESS & REDUCTION NETWORK
Solar photovoltaic system costs have fallen steadily for decades. They are projected to fall even farther over the next 10 years. Meanwhile, projected costs for construction of new nuclear plants have risen steadily over the last decade, and they continue to rise. In the past year, the lines have crossed in North Carolina. Electricity from new solar installations is now cheaper than electricity from proposed new nuclear plants.
View this complete post...Bridges 2010 Conference: San Fran, November 17-19
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010“With more bridges being declared structurally deficient or obsolete, there is a need for immediate and novel engineering solutions in order to be well prepared for potential disasters and minimize future maintenance costs.”
View this complete post...State Transportation Reform: How Advocates Are Winning
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
TRI-STATE TRANSPORTATION CAMPAIGN
As long as states are responsible for building and maintaining our country’s surface transportation system, they remain the central actors in transportation decision making and are the lynchpin for any lasting reform. The ability to influence policies, projects and spending decisions at the state level matters.
View this complete post...Transit Report: National State of Good Repair Assessment
Monday, July 26th, 2010
FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION
Roughly one-third of the nation’s transit assets (weighted by replacement value) are in either marginal or poor condition, implying that these assets are near or have already exceeded their expected useful life.
Bridges getting better, but still a LONG way to go
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010The House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit met on Wednesday to discuss bridge inspection in the U.S. (a responsibility of the Federal Highway Administration). According to James Oberstar, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman , “With over one-half of our bridges built before 1964, it is increasingly important that we have […]
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