UPDATE 1-Obama pushes ahead with transport fund rescue

July 1, 2009 John Crawley and Lisa Lambert Reuters

President Barack Obama is pushing ahead with plans to shore up dwindling federal reserves for highway construction and establish a government-run bank to pay for future transportation projects.

Documents obtained by Reuters late on Wednesday detailed Transportation Department proposals for injecting $20 billion of general tax revenue into a government-run trust that funds highway and transit infrastructure projects, and Obama's longer-term plans for ensuring financial backing for new initiatives.

The administration projects the Highway Trust Fund, which is funded by the federal tax on gasoline, will run dry in late August or early September. It is proposing to replenish it over 18 months while Congress develops a six-year blueprint for transportation priorities and funding.

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A Winner In The New Climate Legislation

June 24, 2009 Andy Stone Forbes

World Energy Solutions cut its teeth running America's only carbon auctions. Now it's ready to go national.

The nation's first experiment with a carbon cap-and-trade market could be one victim of climate legislation that is now making its way through Congress.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cap-and-trade market that has raised $360 million through the auctioning of carbon allowances in 10 Northeastern states, would be pre-empted by a national carbon trading scheme included in the American Clean Energy and Security Act. If a national climate bill passes Congress, RGGI, which began operating Jan. 1, would end in 2012.

At least one company involved in the development of RGGI sees opportunity in the ashes. World Energy Solutions of Worcester, Mass., developed the computer systems to automate RGGI's four auctions of carbon allowances. World Energy is the only company with experience auctioning allowances, says Chief Executive Richard Domaleski. He hopes it will help him win a potentially much larger, more lucrative contract should a national carbon market become reality.

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Portland's Streetcar Born in the U.S. of F@#$%' A!

July 1, 2009 Sarah Mirk Blogtown

Obama Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood came to Portland this morning. Standing next to the nation's largest platinum LEED building at the base of the aerial tram in the shadow of the South Waterfront manufactured high density community, LaHood announced, "Portland is the transportation capitol of the our country, the green capitol of our country, the streetcar capitol of our country, the livable community capitol of America!" Then, at the end of his speech, just before unveiling the first streetcar manufactured in American in 60 years, LaHood repeated the line verbatim AGAIN, to thunderous applause. Now there's a man who knows how to whisper sweet, sustainable nothings into Portland's ears.

Yes, indeed, Secretary LaHood along with a host of other politicians, including Governor Kulongoski, Congressman Pete DeFazio and Congressman Earl Blumeneaur (who graced his second transit-unveiling press conference in two days), were very very proud to release the first American-made streetcar since the auto industry killed streetcars 60 years ago.

"This is a great, great accomplishment, I believe this is the dawn of a new era for transportation in the USA, a new opportunity to claim 'Made in America,'" gushed LaHood, gesturing to the red, white and blue streetcar which was built at a cost of $2.9 million (with 90 new jobs created) right in state at Oregon Iron Works.

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Advocates Unveil $11.5B Midwest High-Speed Rail Plan

June 30, 2009 ENR.com

High-speed rail advocates have unveiled an ambitious, $11.5 billion plan for "ultra-fast" train service between Chicago and St. Louis that could cut travel times by more than half.

Trains would zoom up to 220 mph. That's more than 100 mph faster than trains under a plan advocated by eight Midwestern governors.

Rail proponents welcomed the gubernatorial push for an upgraded network with Chicago as its hub. But the comparatively modest proposal hasn't generated the kind of hoopla 220-mph service would.

Trains reaching close to 220 mph are thus far unheard of, though a California proposal seeking to build service along its coast also foresees trains approaching that speed.

Tuesday's proposal comes in a study from the Midwest High Speed Rail Association.

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