Transcript ITS America PowerPoint Template for Internal and External

Climate Change and Transportation
IBTTA Board of Directors Meeting
January 22, 2009
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Leslie Bellas
General Counsel and Dir. Environmental Affairs
“Come and Begin to Understand Where
Our World is Headed”
Warmer temperatures
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Increased precipitation
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“Come and Begin to Understand Where
Our World is Headed”
Melting glaciers
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Changing sea level
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What Causes Climate Change?
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Houston, We Have a Problem
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Think Globally
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U.S. CO2 Emission Sources
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Transportation’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
Emissions
2006 U.S. Transportation CO2 Emissions from Fossil Fuel
Combustion by Vehicle Class
Passenger Cars
Light Trucks
Heavy Trucks
Buses
Motorcycles
Recreational Boats
Rail
Jet Fuel
Other (ships and pipelines)
Reference: Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2006, USEPA #430-R-08-005l
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More People
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More Cars
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We Love BIG Cars!
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Bigger Cars = Less Fuel Economy
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Emissions from the Transportation Sector
• Four-legged stool:
• Fuel Economy: 2007 legislation raising CAFÉ
• Fuel Content: Renewable Fuels in the Energy
Independence & Security Act of 2007
• Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT): No legislation
• Traffic Operations/Driving Behavior: No legislation
• Reducing congestion or idling and/or maintaining
traffic flow between 30-60 MPH will decrease fuel
consumption and may lower VMT
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Déjà Vu?
• Who said:
– “I am inaugurating a program to marshal both
government and private research with the goal of
producing an unconventially powered, virtually
pollution-free automobile within five years.”
– Richard M. Nixon, 1970
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The First Rule of Holes: When You Have a
Hole, Stop Digging!
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Climate is changing
Human activities are a contributing factor
Everyone is to blame
The transportation sector is a major emitter of
greenhouse gas emissions
• We acknowledged the need to take action
• We haven’t changed our behavior
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What Do We Want? Action!
When Do We Want It? Yesterday!
Reversing our course will
occur at a glacial pace
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GHG don’t stop at the border
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Why Now is the Time to Begin
Addressing Climate Change
• Perfect Storm
– Recognition we are prisoners of oil
– Science is proving the existence of climate change and
science will help us find an answer
– Market driven solutions
– Most nations, including the United States, acknowledge
the need to tackle climate change
• We had our first serious debate on climate change
• The Administration wants to address climate change
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Will National Climate Change
Legislation Be Our Savior This Congress?
• “It’s the economy, stupid!”
• Climate change is costly
– New energy sources
– Need to change process/operations
– Administrative burdens from compliance obligations
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What’s Left for IBTTA to Do?
• Administration:
– Identify the Administration’s priorities
– Figure out how tolling and congestion pricing can help the
Administration achieve its objectives
– Federal Agencies: There are more agencies than DOT
• U.S. EPA
• U.S. DOE
• U.S. DOT
• DHS/FEMA
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What’s Left for IBTTA to Do (cont’d)?
• Regions:
– Climate exchanges
• States:
– Climate action plans
– State agencies/MPO programs
• Build alliances
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Fellow trade associations
Environmental
Infrastructure
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Communications
Investment/Banks
Energy
Land use
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What’s Left for IBTTA to Do (cont’d)?
• Take a leadership role in key areas
– Funding transportation/climate impacts
• How tolling can help other acceptable interests, e.g.,
fund transit/research/ensure equity
• Tolling projects as part of federal or state climate
change legislation (offsets)
– Consider impact of new projects on climate
– Consider how your facilities can help measure emissions
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Thank You
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Leslie Bellas
[email protected]
202-721-4239
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