Transportation accounts for about 28% of US greenhouse gas emissions. A recent study showed that only about 12% of Americans use active transportation regularly (9% walk, 1% bike and 2% take the bus or train). By increasing the bicycling and walking numbers by just 12.5% annually over the next decade, we would reach an active transportation share of more than 36% in 2020. That would mean a greater than 5% drop in total US emissions – equal to at least half of the 10% reduction below current levels that has been proposed as a target (and 17% below 2005 levels).

The article points to the East Coast Greenway, a developing trail system 3,000 miles long, as an example of the type of infrastructure needed to make that goal possible and reminds readers that countries such as The Netherlands and Sweden already have 50-65% active transportation shares – 36% here should certainly be possible.

- Suzanne Bopp

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The current Clean Air Act regulations for such pollutants as lead, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides apply to facilities that emit 100 to 250 tons annually. That threshold is inappropriate for the six global warming gases EPA has authority to regulate (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride). Under the EPA’s proposed “tailoring” rule, facilities that emit at least 25,000 tons of greenhouse gases a year would have to obtain permits. This program would cover nearly 70 percent of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources. Small farms, restaurants and other small facilities wouldn’t be affected under the new rule.

The EPA will accept written comments on the proposed rule until December 28, 2009.

– Suzanne Bopp

Related posts:

1. EPA Says Greenhouse Gases Are Dangerous, Can Be Regulated
2. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Asks Court to Block EPA from Regulating Emissions
3. The Case for Clean Energy and Clean Air, Climate Action Hotline 10.17.11