Transportation & Infra.
Transportation and Infrastructure
- Are safer.
- Cost less to maintain.
- Reduce traffic congestion.
- Mitigate air and noise pollution.
- Are attractive, pedestrian-oriented retail environments.
- Make shoppers and diners feel more comfortable.
- Create a unique sense of place that is a destination.
- Increase the value of properties and businesses.
National Streetscaping Week
Washington, DC (February 25, 2010)- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN) has introduced H.Con.Res. 240, a resolution designating the fourth week of April as National Streetscaping Week. The measure recognizes the benefits of streetscaping to homes, businesses, and communities across the country. ACT applauds Congressman Cohen for introducing this measure and working to raise awareness of the importance of streetscaping and green infrastructure in creating desirable places to live.
Rep. Oberstar planning markup on full transportation bill after recess
By Stephen Lee Davis
Washington, DC (August 11, 2009)- Chairman Oberstar of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is planning a full committee mark-up of the Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009 as soon as Congress comes back from the August recess. Appearing at an economic recovery news conference Wednesday in Minnesota, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar said he will hold a full committee mark-up of a $500 billion, six-year federal surface transportation authorization the week of Labor Day, when Congress returns from its summer recess. Oberstar, D-MN, told Minnesota Public Radio that he expects to have the bill on the floor by the third week of September.
Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009
Washington, DC (June 22, 2009)- The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure today released the Committee Print of the next surface transportation authorization bill. The Subcommittee on Highways and Transit is now set to take up the bill.
21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act
Washington, DC (May 14, 2009)- The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act, H.R. 2187 passed the House today with two key amendments offered by Rep. Allyson Schwartz. This innovative legislation, as amended, makes targeted investments to modernize, upgrade, and repair school facilities across the country. According to projections by the Economic Policy Institute, construction funding in this bill will support as many as 136,000 new construction jobs, many in green work, providing workers valuable new skills. This bill is the reintroduction of the similar bill, H.R.3021, that passed the House last year. The Senate is now required to take action.
Green Roof Tax Incentive Legislation Introduced in the Senate
Washington, DC (January 26, 2009)- Senator Maria Cantwell introduced the Clean Energy Stimulus and Investment Assurance Act of 2009 (S.320), legislation geared toward creating high-wage green-collar jobs and revitalizing the economy through clean energy investments. A section of the bill is dedicated to green roof tax incentives.
National Highway Chokepoint Congestion Relief Act
Washington, DC (August 20, 2008)- Last month, Rep. Michael Castle (R-DE), introduced the National Highway Chokepoint Congestion Relief Act (H.R. 6435) to create a grant program for State Departments of Transportation to make capital improvements to highways to relieve traffic congestion. The Alliance for Community Trees and Delaware Center for Horticulture jointly reached out to Rep. Castle to request that he amend the legislation to specifically include trees and green infrastructure as eligible capital improvements.
Green Transportation Infrastructure Research and Technology Transfer Act
Washington, DC (February 27, 2008)- H.R. 5161 would direct the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to make grants to institutions of higher education to carry out research and development on green transportation infrastructure. Under the bill, the term green transportation infrastructure includes infrastructure that preserves natural processes, treats water close to its source, minimizes the use of impervious surfaces, and minimizes energy use and air pollution.
First "Green" Building on Capitol Hill
Washington, DC (July 12, 2007)- A broad bi-partisan coalition from both chambers of Congress will join together today to celebrate the first "green" building on Capitol Hill and talk about legislative efforts to advance green building construction in the United States.
Green Building Acts
Washington, DC (May 18, 2007)- The High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2007 (S.506), introduced by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) with eight co-sponsors, seeks to establish an Office of Green Building Performance within the General Services Administration (GSA) to develop and implement a consistent green building standard for use by federal agencies. Similar bills and their sponsors include:
* Green Buildings Act of 2007 (S.489)- Sen. John Warner (R-VA)
* High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2007 (H.R. 121)- Reps. Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Mary Bono (R-CA)
* Reductions for Energy Efficient New Buildings Act (S. 1207)- Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
* Buildings for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 539)- Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA)
