First Name: | Steve |
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Last Name: | Birdlebough |
Email Address: | affirm@friendshouse.org |
Affiliation | Transportation & Land-Use Coalition |
Subject | Transportation Sector |
Comment |
Dear ARB— A significant amount of GHG emissions are produced by trucks and trains, and it is important to develop low-carbon substitutes for petroleum diesel. Because diesel motors last for decades and represent a big investment, there is likely to be strong resistance to a rapid shift to fuel cells or electrified rail systems other than for classification yards. A low-GHG fuel that can be used in existing equipment is preferable. Many options are available, including ammonia which is well known to agriculture. Active transportation that relies on bicycles and transit is gaining users much too slowly. The Swiss, Canadians, and many American transit operators have discovered that the main barrier to wider use of transit is not dispersed users, but the lack of a fare card. Where most people have transit passes, and service is frequent, and the network is well coordinated, ridership is high. Where bicycle/pedestrian pathways are common and safe, they tend to be well used. The amount of Greenhouse Gas Reduction funds devoted to transit and to bicycles should at least be doubled, and focused on developing tightly coordinated systems. https://www.jtlu.org/index.php/jtlu/article/view/346 Businesses and members of the public can be strongly influenced to reduce oil use by visible price signals. But we need to be reminded of the money and time that we often waste by our reliance on congestion-prone cars. Auto manufacturers spend lavishly to advertise their products next to refreshing mountain lakes where the air is clear. Please find ways to counter such messages with humorous parodies. And encourage cities to charge for auto parking. My wife and I have enjoyed driving our Prius for eleven years, and plan soon to buy a car like the Volt, that runs longer in battery-only mode. Our plan is to expand our rooftop solar electric system to recharge the car, but we need to know that charging stations are also widely available in strip malls and at motels. We were very disappointed to see the Western States Petroleum Association’s campaign against the target for a 50% reduction in petroleum use by 2030. We realize that the target is likely to become more aggressive—a 50% reduction by 2025 would be more consistent with the science. Our health and our trees will benefit from a rapid reduction of GHG emissions. Thank you for this opportunity to comment. Steve Birdlebough 684 Benicia Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 707-576-6632 |
Attachment |
Original File Name:
Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2015-10-16 15:20:56 |
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