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Downeaster Train: Smart Transportation Choice
Environment Maine has been working to support efforts to expand passenger rail service and secure long-term, stable funding for the Amtrak Downeaster train. Expanding passenger rail service will decrease air and global warming pollution from Maine’s largest source, cars and light trucks, by giving travelers a cleaner transportation choice. In fact, traveling by rail is about twice as efficient as traveling by car or truck.
Funding for the Downeaster is in jeopardy
The Downeaster’s federal funding is scheduled to end in 2008 and a long-term state financing plan must be adopted. Gov. Baldacci assembled a Rail Task Force to make specific recommendations on funding and issued an Executive Order on expanding passenger rail service north of Portland to Brunswick and Auburn. The Task Force’s recommendations were presented to the governor, however, none of the recommendations were included in the governor’s budget. That’s why Environment Maine is urging Gov. Baldacci and the state Legislature to invest in long-term funding in the Downeaster train as part of our overall state transportation network.
A step forward on clean energy
Taking a step in the right direction on clean energy, on Jan. 18 the U.S. House approved the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007. Maine’s Congressmen Allen and Michaud voted for the legislation. We strongly supported the measure, which would repeal $14 billion in tax breaks and subsidies for the oil industry and invest the money in clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency. We’re urging the Senate to pass the bill as well.
The clean energy fund could be used to offer consumers incentives to purchase energy-efficient products, expand research and development into new technologies, and extend tax credits to promote the development of renewable energy projects like wind farms.
Our staff helped write and promote the legislation, which was included in Speaker Pelosi’s “100 hours” agenda.
“Our next priority is to build support for a national renewable electricity standard,” said Field Organizer Virginia Robnett. “By harnessing clean, homegrown energy sources, we can cut global warming pollution and make our country a world leader in clean energy.”
Researchers estimate that passing the renewable electricity bill would cut the same amount of global warming pollution as taking 89 million cars off the road.
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