Sen. Carper: "Freight Rail Deserves More Federal Support"
10 Jul 2008
Senator Ted Carper: "Freight Rail Deserves More Federal Support"
Delaware Senator calls for federal support to increase capacity of America's fuel-efficient freight rail system to reduce fuel consumption, fight global warming
In his special contribution in July 10, 2008 issue of THE HILL, "Fuel-efficient freight rail deserves more federal support ," Delaware Senator Tom Carper (D) wrote that policy makers should support the expansion of America's freight rail capacity - especially in light of the industry's impressive fuel efficiency.
"Today, across the country, policymakers, industry and consumers alike are all looking for more affordable ways to move people and goods," Mr Carper wrote. "Consider this: America’s railroads can move one ton of freight roughly the distance between Washington, D.C., and Boston on just one gallon of diesel fuel."
"I’m convinced that robust freight rail service is one of the keys to a sustainable future for our country and our planet.," Mr. Carper wrote. "It’s time we take full advantage of more fuel-efficient forms of transportation and start to think beyond just our highways and airways."
"While trucks will remain a vital component in our nation’s transportation system for a long time to come, freight trains help Americans beat congestion by reducing the number of trucks on our roads and saving drivers time, money and fuel costs," he wrote. "For example, one single intermodal train takes some 280 trucks off the road."
The Senator called on fellow lawmakers to support the industry's expanding role in our nation saying, "We must invest in rail infrastructure to keep up with that expanded role."
Among recent congressional proposals are the capacity infrastructure tax incentives for projects that expand freight rail capacity or encouraging more public-private partnerships for freight railroad infrastructure projects. (For more information, click here to visit the AAR 's Web pages on the Infrastructure Tax Incentives.)
The Senator noted that supporting freight rail not only fosters a healthy economy, it supports an environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient industry.
Mr. Carper concluded: "Next year, when Congress considers legislation to reauthorize the surface transportation program, fight climate change and address high gas prices, it will be vitally important that lawmakers remember the key role that transit, passenger rail and freight rail play in reducing our nation’s reliance on foreign oil, while cutting harmful emissions and getting people and goods where they need to go. "
Read the full article in The Hill. Click here: http://thehill.com/op-eds/fuel-efficient-freight-rail-deserves-more-federal-support-2008-07-09.html