[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE

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                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 2008

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize that Americans 
took 10.3 billion trips on public transportation in 2007, and recognize 
the significant impact public transit use can have on improving the 
environment. This growth in transit usage represents a 2.1 percent 
increase over 2006, and is the highest level of transit ridership our 
country has experienced in the past 50 years. In the last decade alone, 
public transportation use has been more than double the growth rate of 
the population and up substantially over the growth rate for vehicle 
miles traveled on our Nation's highways for that same period. The 
American public has proven that riding transit--especially at such 
record levels--helps relieve congestion in our crowded cities, 
addresses climate change and energy independence, and improves the 
daily lives of our citizens.
  Public Transportation and its relationship to the environment is 
further explored in a new study from the Transportation Research Board 
and the Division on Earth and Life Studies of the National Research 
Council entitled ``Potential Impacts of Climate Change on U.S. 
Transportation'' (Special Report 290). This report highlights the 
consequences of climate change for the infrastructure and operations of 
U.S. transportation. Specifically, the report provides an overview of 
the scientific consensus on those current and future climate changes of 
particular relevance to U.S. transportation; identifies potential 
impacts on all transportation modes; examines adaptation options; and 
offers recommendations for both research and actions that can be taken 
to prepare for climate change.
  The report also summarizes important strategies for reducing 
transportation-related emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2)--
the primary greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. 
Currently, public transportation plays a vital role in reducing 
emissions because it produces less carbon monoxide, fewer volatile 
organic compounds, and nearly half as much carbon dioxide and nitrogen 
oxides for every passenger mile traveled as compared to traveling with 
private vehicles. Using public transportation helps the Nation save 1.4 
billion gallons of gasoline every year, the equivalent of 108 million 
cars filling up, about 300,000 tanks of gas each day. If Americans rode 
transit at the rate of 10 percent of daily travel, the U.S. would 
reduce its dependence on oil imported from the Persian Gulf by more 
than 40 percent.
  For these reasons and more, I support public transportation and 
pledge to continue the strong Federal partnership with our local 
communities in providing the necessary resources to offer even more 
citizens the opportunity to choose transit for their daily commutes. 
Increased Federal support for public transportation will only further 
the national goals of addressing climate change, reducing our 
dependency on foreign oil, and renewing our commitment to environmental 
stewardship.

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