Remembering the "Other" Energy & Climate Bill

If there were legislation that directly impacted the source of nearly 70 percent of our oil consumption, wouldn't you call it energy policy?

If there were a bill that covered almost 30 percent of our global warming pollution, would you call it climate policy?

I would, but in the U.S. Congress, this bill is called surface transportation policy a.k.a. the Highway Bill...

Today, Senators Boxer and Kerry released the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.  As my colleague David Doniger points out, this is a major step toward addressing our nation's energy and climate change challenges.  It will create millions of green jobs, make us more secure, and help stabilize our climate.

Senator Kerry and Boxer's Clean Energy Jobs bill will address energy use and carbon emissions in nearly every corner of our economy - electricity, industry, buildings, efficiency.  

For transportation, though, while this bill starts the ball rolling, the majority of work remains to be completed when Congress renews our federal surface transportation policy - the "other" energy bill. 

Today, while hundreds were rallying for clean energy jobs outside of the Senate, the lawmakers inside were debating how long to extend our existing, outmoded federal transportation policy. One month? Three? Eighteen? 

However long Congress decides to wait, it won't change the fact that a reformed Transportation Bill has major potential to reduce carbon pollution and cut oil use.  Even better, it can accomplish this while saving consumers billions, creating millions of clean transportation jobs, relieving congestion, and enhancing our communities.

So let's celebrate a big step toward addressing climate change.  Then let's get back to work on a new vision for a clean transportation future that offers every family efficient, convenient, affordable transportation options.