Greener and Brighter – Public Transportation Bill H.R. 6052

One thing seems to be on everybody’s minds: Energy. With the upcoming presidential election and prices soaring, the debate on energy has become a crucial issue involving not just the United States, but the world. Everyone is on the energy train, looking for ways to cut back and to give back to our environment. Where rests the solution for this endless debate?

The House recently passed legislation which promotes the increase of public transportation and the use of alternative fuels for public transport. Bill H.R. 6052 sanctions public transportation grants for each of the fiscal years of 2008 and 2009 in urbanized and other areas. These grants are to be used for a variety of reasons, such as the any operating costs that a grant recipient is incapable of paying due to lower fares and costs accrued as a result of expanding transportation services.  The bill also requires that a grant given that involves obtaining clean fuel or alternative fuel equipment for the purpose of acting in accordance with the Clean Air Act to be one hundred percent of the net project expenditures.

Furthermore, the act amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act. It requires that federal agency employees in urbanized regions of the United States must be offered transportation fringe benefits for their use of public transportation. Bill H.R. 6052 expresses that the Secretary is to distribute direction on realization of a transportation fringe benefits program on a nationalized scale. The Secretary will launch a pilot program to carry out vanpool illustration projects. In addition, the bill insists on a grant intended for a capital project during the years of 2008 and 2009, involving the acquisition of property for the creation of new parking facilities. The grant will be for one hundred percent of the project unless the recipient of the grant appeals for a smaller sum.

Public transportation is only one step towards a cleaner, more energy efficient world. We are in a turning point in history and what we do now will affect future generations. Our planet is precious and deserves better care.