Tom Carper | United States Senator for Delaware E-mail Senator Carper

Transportation

We must utilize an integrated approach to solve our nation's transportation problems. While building a strong roadway system is essential, we must work to provide people with alternative methods of transportation as well. Alternatives - such as mass transit, passenger rail, and bike lanes - improve air quality, reduce our reliance on foreign oil and support healthier lifestyles. Further, considering that transportation is a major source of carbon dioxide emissions, we cannot effectively fight climate change without addressing pollution from the transportation sector.

Fuel Efficiency — In December of 2007, the President signed important legislation to increase the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks. This was done with three goals in mind: 1) Reducing our nation's reliance on foreign oil, 2) Decreasing pollution and 3) Protecting the U.S. auto industry. The Senate developed a bipartisan compromise to increase the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard by 10 miles per gallon to 35 miles per gallon by model year 2020. The CAFE standard had not been adjusted since 1975, and this compromise includes new flexibilities for automakers.

First, if it is determined that this standard is not technologically feasible, would reduce vehicle safety or is not cost effective, then the standard can be lowered. Second, appropriate standards are set for each type of vehicle (compact car, crossover vehicles, mid-sized SUVs, pick-up trucks, etc.) based on their size and purpose. Rather than forcing domestic manufacturers - which tend to build larger vehicles - to change the type of cars they make, they will be encouraged to make those vehicles more fuel efficient. It is estimated that our country will save between 2.0 and 2.5 million barrels of oil per day under the new CAFE standard, which is nearly the amount of oil imported today from the Persian Gulf.

Effective Intercity Rail — One of my priorities since coming to Congress has been building a healthy intercity rail system. Amtrak meets the transportation needs of millions of Americans and thousands of businesses nationwide, including more than 700,000 Delaware riders each year. Since Amtrak's last authorization expired in 2002, however, the company has been funded through the annual Congressional appropriations process, without consistent guidance on how funds should be spent or a clear direction to improve rail service nationwide.

On October 30, 2007, the Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill to reform and strengthen our nation's passenger rail system for the 21st century. The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act would reauthorize Amtrak for six years and authorize some $10 billion to help Amtrak maintain operations, upgrade equipment and security and return the Northeast Corridor to a state of good repair. This bill is a bipartisan vote of confidence in America's rail system, and its enactment would provide Amtrak the comprehensive assistance needed to operate a modern and safe national passenger rail system that millions of Americans rely on each year. It would also put Amtrak on track to become more self-sufficient, allowing federal operating subsidies to be redirected to innovative revitalization projects - like those planned near the Wilmington train station.

The bill would also create a new intercity passenger rail capital grant program for the states. I hope my colleagues and I in Congress can work to finalize the bill this year and send it to the President to sign into law.

Strong Infrastructure — In 2005, I participated in the development of the National Transportation Bill. This legislation provided nearly $1 billion in transportation funding for Delaware's road and transit systems - a 30 percent increase over previous levels. This funding will address high priorities in all three of Delaware's counties, including a new SR-1/I-95 interchange, an improved Rehoboth streetscape, a new Woodland ferry, improvements on SEPTA between Wilmington and Newark and the rerouting of truck traffic around downtown Harrington.

Future Improvements — My colleagues and I on the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Banking Committee are taking a long, hard look at our national infrastructure needs and priorities. As we take up legislation to reauthorize surface transportation programs, fund infrastructure projects and promote investment in the wake of the failures of the levies in New Orleans and the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, we must first understand the resources and investment level needed to maintain our current systems and meet future demands. That is why I introduced the National Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2007 with Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) which would create a commission to look at the state of infrastructure throughout the country - including rail, roads, bridges, airports, and flood control structures. That commission would then make recommendations to Congress and the President about how to maintain our current infrastructure while also meeting future needs and safety requirements. This bill passed the Senate unanimously on Aug. 2, 2007, and was then introduced in the House by Congressman Keith Ellison of Minneapolis on Aug. 3rd.