What's At Stake?

Support transportation solutions, not more pollution

TEA-21 - TRANSIT THAT PROTECTS THE ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITIES:
The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) is the key law that shapes the nation's transportation investments and has a profound effect on the environment, public health, and local communities. Congress must reauthorize this law to extend federal transportation programs. This will again set the rules by which $150 billion a year is spent by local, state and federal transportation agencies. This action is a great opportunity to improve transportation choices, air quality and public health.

ATTACK ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH PROTECTIONS:
Unfortunately, the transportation bill recently passed by the Senate would:

- weaken protections for public health and accountability for highway air pollution;
- make it easier for road builders to harm parks, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, recreation areas, and historic resources;
- allow federal and state highway agencies to override local land use plans, regional transportation plans, and state air and water quality plans;
- reduce opportunities for the public and local officials to shape transportation spending plans and projects; and
- reduce consideration of alternatives that might meet mobility needs with less harm to health and the environment.

The House bill would similarly allow new or wider roads and highways with fewer safeguards against more sprawl, traffic, noise and pollution. But it would do less damage overall to core environmental laws than the Senate bill.

Good provisions in the Senate bill could fund cleanup of highway related water pollution, ensure transportation plans consider wildlife conservation, and open up the option for road tolls to finance better transit services and access to jobs for those without cars, rather than just encouraging more sprawl, traffic, and economic inequality.

OPPORTUNITY IN THE HOUSE FOR A BETTER BILL:
The conference committee could take the best or worst elements of both bills. There is still a chance to pass a bill that does less harm to environmental stewardship, public health and public involvement, and win funding for several good new initiatives.

TAKE ACTION:
Let your Senators and Representative know today that you want legislation that improves transportation choices, air quality and public health.

For more information about TEA-21 and Environmental Defense's efforts to promote safe, healthy and efficient transportation programs, visit us online.

Go Back





	Home \| About Us \| Support Us \| Action Center \| Biodiversity \| Climate Change \| Health \| Oceans \| Library

	Media Center \| Our Programs \| Our Web Sites \| Contact Us \| FAQs \| Site Map



	Environmental Defense Network: Action Network \| Alliance for Environmental Innovation \| Environmental Defense \| Get Green \| Green Adviser \| Scorecard \| Texas Environmental Profiles