Recent Streetsblog USA posts about Energy

Transport Economist Challenges Claim That ‘VMT Causes Growth’

By Elana Schor | Jan 7, 2010 | 4 Comments

The claim to a link between economic growth and vehicle mileage — that, in other words, auto travel is essential to keeping U.S. productivity high — remains controversial and much-debated in transportation policy circles. One notable recent flare-up in that debate took place on National Journal’s blog after road lobbyist Greg Cohen, referring to an […]

A Step Towards Pricing of Pollution? 11 States Back Low-Carbon Fuel Rules

By Elana Schor | Jan 4, 2010 | No Comments

While many in Washington spent their holiday breaks wondering if Senate Democratic opposition would deal a major blow to progress on a climate change bill, 11 northeastern governors were agreeing on a deal that suggests otherwise. (Photo: Scientific American) The 11 governors vowed to develop a shared low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) that would cut the […]

EPA Makes it Official: Emissions Threaten Public Health

By Elana Schor | Dec 7, 2009 | 1 Comment

Acting under a Supreme Court mandate, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruled today that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and contribute to the harmful environmental effects of climate change, paving the way for pollution regulations under the Clean Air Act. (Photo: TreeHugger) “Today, EPA announced that greenhouse gases threaten the health and welfare of […]

Streetsblog Capitol Hill Q&A: Blumenauer Talks Economic Recovery

By Elana Schor | Dec 3, 2009 | No Comments

On the issue of clean transportation, from transit to bike paths to clean water, few members of Congress are as knowledgeable or active as Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). Chief of the Congressional Bicycle Caucus and founder of the new Livable Communities Task Force, the Portland lawmaker is on the front lines of Washington’s biggest infrastructure […]

Who Wants to Buy a New Locomotive? General Electric Hopes Amtrak Does

By Elana Schor | Dec 1, 2009 | 4 Comments

General Electric’s Transportation division inked a high-speed rail technology-sharing deal with China last month, but the prospects on the home front for its fuel-efficient locomotives are downright "bleak" heading into 2010, as its chief executive recently told Dow Jones. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), at right, addressed GE Transportation workers in Erie, PA, last year. (Photo: […]

Climate’s 17 Undecided Dems Got $2.3M From Transport & Electric Lobbies

By Elana Schor | Nov 30, 2009 | No Comments

The trouble with broad analysis pieces on campaign cash is that they often go for eye-popping numbers while obscuring uncomfortable political realities. For example, Greenwire reported this morning that the 27 senators who remain undecided on the chamber’s pending climate bill took "more than $20 million … over the past two decades from energy interests […]

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