On Green Jobs and Clean Transportation

It's been a rough year for Americans.  Rough enough that many seem eager to let 2009 fade into the past before it's even over, with hope for a better 2010. 

Congress seems just as eager to do its part to move toward better times, as it ramps up to kick off the new decade with a big jobs initiative . Building on one of the successful pieces of the Recovery Act, the initiative will likely invest significantly in transportation projects.

Transportation for America co-founder Smart Growth America has done great work showing the benefits of clean transportation to a robust American economy. They have taken a deep dive on the multipiers, co-benefits, and positive externalities that we can expect from federal investment in modern, efficient transportation, as well as a superb report on how the money is really being spent.

But charts and graphs only take us so far.  Nothing beats real world experience, in my book, and just such a story is taking place in California's Central Valley.

"SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec 23 (Reuters) - The U.S.-based transport arm of Siemens AG has ramped up production to feed growing demand for urban light-rail systems and also has its eyes on a nascent U.S. push for high-speed rail...  [The Siemens] plant just outside Sacramento, California, which produced about 25 light-rail cars annually five years ago, made 58 this year and is set to build about 200 more over the next three years -- with capacity for more."

The demand for clean transportation projects is out there, and it's growing.  However, a smarter transportation policy - one that can improve mobility, make transportation more affordable, cut pollution, and reduce traffic - can't be cobbled together through jobs legislation and stimulus packages.

The article goes on to say:

"A major obstacle to light-rail growth, however, was a lack of coordination between municipal and state authorities when tackling transport problems..."

Major businesses are looking to invest in U.S. infrastructure.  This will create jobs here at home, improve our communities, and help us cut dependence on oil. But we need Congress to move our outdated transportation system into the 21st Century. If we do, we can fill those factories in Modesto, and more around the country, with workers building the wheels of the clean energy economy.