CLEAN-TEA: The next transportation bill
US DOT Secretary Ray LaHood has christened the next transportation authorization bill "CLEAN-TEA" (the last one was "SAFETEA-LU"). Judging from LaHood's comments at this week's National Bike Summit, we really are in for a completely new way of looking at — and funding — transportation at the federal level. Not only is this good for bikes as transportation, but it's definitely going to be good for other alternative modes as well. Previous DOT Secretary Mary Peters was notoriously reported to have said that "bikes aren't transportation."
Trickle down may not work for wealth, but it sure does work for transportation policy. Nearly every decision a state DOT makes is based on whether or not they are subject to federal funding formulas or requirements.
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HOORAY! Thanks for keeping us up to date.
The coolest bit is that CLEAN-TEA would set aside 10% revenue from any future pollution cap-and-trade system and use the money to fund projects that reduce the carbon footprint of the transportation system - things like alternative fuels, public transit, biking, walking, etc.
[…] Federal Transpo Bill Will Be Called ‘CLEAN-TEA’ (KC Light Rail via […]
CLEAN TEA is not the next transportation reauthorization bill a la SAFETEA-LU. It is a bill that sets aside Cap and Trade money in a future climate bill towards green transportation. Think of it as SAFETEA-LU for the Climate Bill.