I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2164 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 29, 2009 Mr. Blumenauer (for himself, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, and Mr. Klein of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend title 49, United States Code, to modify the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for new fixed guideway capital projects, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Federal Streetcar Revitalization Act of 2009.

2.

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)Communities throughout the United States are exploring the reintroduction of streetcars. (2)Existing streetcar systems provide convincing evidence that, for a modest cost, streetcars can provide transportation choice, attract economic development, link jobs and housing, and create denser, pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods. (3)Streetcars provide transportation circulation within urbanized areas to catalyze economic development and housing in urban centers. (4)The new starts program under section 5309 of title 49, United States Code, supported streetcar projects in the past, but the existing small starts program under section 5309(e) of such title has failed to continue this legacy. (5)Appropriate assessment of the value provided by streetcar systems must encompass a calculation of the number of automobile trips not taken, the decrease in passenger vehicle miles traveled, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that result from the streetcar system.

3.

Streetcar Capital Investment Grants

(a)

Amendments to Small Starts program

Section 5309(e) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1)in the subsection heading by striking $75,000,000 and inserting $100,000,000; (2)in paragraph (1)(A)— (A)by striking $75,000,000 and inserting $100,000,000; and (B)by striking $250,000,000 and inserting $300,000,000; (3)in paragraph (1)(B)— (A)in the subparagraph heading by striking $25,000,000 and inserting $50,000,000; (B)by striking $25,000,000 and inserting $50,000,000; and (C)by striking until such date as the final regulation to be issued under paragraph (9) takes effect; (4)by striking paragraph (2)(B) and inserting the following: (B)justified based on a review of its effect on local economic development, land use, travel patterns, and greenhouse gas reduction potential; and ; (5)in paragraph (3) by adding at the end the following: For purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary shall compare the proposed project to a no build analysis to consider project outcomes.; (6)in paragraph (4) by striking subparagraphs (A) through (E) and inserting the following: (A)determine the degree to which the project will have a positive effect on local economic development; (B)determine the reduction in per capita auto travel demand that will result from the completed project, including related development, travel pattern, and land use changes; and (C)determine the reduction in per capita greenhouse gas emissions that will result from the completed project, including related development, travel pattern, and land use changes. ; (7)by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the following: (6)

Advancement of project to development and construction

A proposed project under this subsection may advance from planning and alternatives analysis to project development and construction only if the Secretary finds that the project meets the requirements of this subsection and there is a reasonable likelihood that the project will continue to meet such requirements. ; and (8)by striking paragraphs (8), (9), (10), and (11). (b)

Conforming amendments

Section 5309 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1)in subsection (a)(2) by striking $75,000,000 and inserting $100,000,000; (2)in the heading for subsection (d) by striking $75,000,000 and inserting $100,000,000; and (3)in subsection (m)(2)(A)(i) by striking $75,000,000 and inserting $100,000,000.