This Wednesday, August 19 at 2:30 PM, the Legislature's Transportation Committee will hold a public informational forum on projects funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, particularly those relating to transportation. The forum will be held in Room 1E at the LOB.
On a Positive note, we already know that $70 million of ARRA funds has been approved for the purchase of buses, including 106 hybrids. Similarly, Smart Growth America's recent report on the first 120 days of federal stimulus spending indicates that Connecticut has not used any of its ARRA award to create new roads for motor vehicles. On the other hand, that same report indicates that our state has not used any of its funds for pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure.
This informational forum should help us to understand what exactly Connecticut is doing with hundreds of millions of tax-payer dollars, and whether or not our environment is being kept a high priority.
Questions about the event should be directed to C. J. Strand, Clerk of the Transportation Committee, at 860-240-0593.
Bipartisan advocates for smart, sustainable environmental policies in Connecticut
Monday, August 17, 2009
Multi-State Effort Necessary for a 21st Century Commuter Rail System
Establishing high frequency commuter rail service between the metropolitan areas of Springfield, Hartford, and the New York-bound MetroNorth station in New Haven is a necessary step in reducing our state’s massive dependence on global-warming-causing foreign oil and in channeling urban development away from farms and forestland and into accessible, livable communities.
But creating such a system will require billions of dollars that our uniquely budget-less state lacks. Most local rail proponents have advocated that we look to the federal government for the bulk of such funds, but with at least 40 states seeking about 13 times the actual $8 billion set aside for commuter rail projects, Connecticut faces stiff competition, with the likes of California and Chicago vying for big cuts of those funds.
Our best hope is to create a New England-scale proposal by coordinating with Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Together, the New England states would become the 20th largest “state” in the country and overtake Illinois as the fifth most populous. Indeed, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, are the second, third and fourth most densely populated states respectively. A commuter rail project designed to serve the New England region is our best bet for submitting a competitive application for federal money.
Thinking on a New England scale, we wouldn’t only connect Hartford and Springfield to the New York region, but we would also create connections to cities like Worcester, Boston, Portland, and even Montreal. A regional rail plan could also provide better service to underserved rural areas and smaller cities in New Hampshire and Vermont, without straying far from the main track.
Luckily, Connecticut and all five of our regional counterparts are starting to see the light. Recently, Joe Marie, Connecticut’s Commissioner of Transportation, was a featured speaker at the New England Rail Summit in Burlington, VT. Marie has agreed to host the next conference in our state.
In addition to the obvious transportation benefits, if a New England-wide approach is successful, Connecticut may begin to move away from the balkanized policy structure that so paralyzes us.
But creating such a system will require billions of dollars that our uniquely budget-less state lacks. Most local rail proponents have advocated that we look to the federal government for the bulk of such funds, but with at least 40 states seeking about 13 times the actual $8 billion set aside for commuter rail projects, Connecticut faces stiff competition, with the likes of California and Chicago vying for big cuts of those funds.
Our best hope is to create a New England-scale proposal by coordinating with Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Together, the New England states would become the 20th largest “state” in the country and overtake Illinois as the fifth most populous. Indeed, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, are the second, third and fourth most densely populated states respectively. A commuter rail project designed to serve the New England region is our best bet for submitting a competitive application for federal money.
Thinking on a New England scale, we wouldn’t only connect Hartford and Springfield to the New York region, but we would also create connections to cities like Worcester, Boston, Portland, and even Montreal. A regional rail plan could also provide better service to underserved rural areas and smaller cities in New Hampshire and Vermont, without straying far from the main track.
Luckily, Connecticut and all five of our regional counterparts are starting to see the light. Recently, Joe Marie, Connecticut’s Commissioner of Transportation, was a featured speaker at the New England Rail Summit in Burlington, VT. Marie has agreed to host the next conference in our state.
In addition to the obvious transportation benefits, if a New England-wide approach is successful, Connecticut may begin to move away from the balkanized policy structure that so paralyzes us.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
West Hartford Whole Foods Market Unveils Solar Panels
This week West Hartford's Whole Foods store became the chain's latest location to install solar panels. Made possible in part with help from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, more than 400 rooftop solar panels will produce enough energy to light the story every day.
Yesterday, the store hosted a celebration of the next generation of energy. Watch Anna Stonestreet's local online news tv story here:
Yesterday, the store hosted a celebration of the next generation of energy. Watch Anna Stonestreet's local online news tv story here:
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