OneRail Coalition: Climate change bill needs to consider transportation ramifications (4/21/2010)

The OneRail Coalition recently sent a letter to Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joseph Leiberman (I-Conn.) urging them to “carefully weigh the implications” of proposed climate change legislation on transportation modes.

Legislators should consider the ramifications of raising funds from the transportation sector, or at a minimum ensure that such funds aren’t “misallocated to the detriment of sustainable, environmentally favorable and energy efficient transportation solutions,” coalition members wrote.

Additional investments in clean transportation infrastructure would create jobs, cut transportation costs for consumers, and help meet the nation’s energy and climate goals, they believe.

"Our nation’s future requires policies that reduce oil consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions,” coalition members wrote. “Augmenting investment in the U.S. freight-rail network, in high-speed and intercity passenger rail, and in commuter-rail infrastructure can help accomplish these goals.”

Coalition members include the Association of American Railroads, American Public Transportation Association, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, National Association of Railroad Passengers, Amtrak, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, Railway Supply Institute, States for Passenger Rail Coalition, Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, Transportation Communications Union and United Transportation Union.

Source: Progressive Railroading Daily News