Former Congressman Sherwood Boehlert Testifies Before Congress

Remarks Highlight National Transportation Policy Project's Framework for
Comprehensive Transportation Reform

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former Congressman Sherwood
Boehlert, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center's (BPC) National
Transportation Policy Project (NTPP), today testified before the Senate
Environment and Public Works Committee regarding the Clean Energy Jobs and
American Power Act (S. 1733). In his testimony, former Congressman Boehlert
detailed recommendations from NTPP's recently released report, Performance
Driven: A New Vision for U.S. Transportation Policy. The report, released in
June, presents a vision and framework for transportation policies that are
performance driven, linked to a set of clearly defined goals, and held
accountable for results.

"As one of four Co-Chairman of the National Transportation Policy Project
(NTPP), I strongly applaud efforts undertaken in this bill [S. 1733] that
emphasize investment in the transportation sector and situate it as both
central to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and to improvements in
energy security," said Boehlert in his testimony. "Energy security and
environmental protection together represent one of five national goals that
our Project believes should be used to guide federal transportation policies
and investment decisions."

Congressman Boehlert urged the Committee to continue to consider
transportation, energy and environmental issues jointly when making investment
decisions, including in the upcoming transportation authorization bill. "This
process of short-term extensions [to the federal transportation program] is
detrimental not only to states attempting to maintain and invest in their
existing transportation infrastructure, but is harmful to the national economy
at a time when substantial reinvestment is needed," Boehlert said in his
testimony. "We understand the position of this Committee and the
Administration is to seek an 18-month extension of current law to allow for
development of a new 21st century vision for federal transportation policy.
Part of this vision should include the integration of climate and energy
considerations into transportation investment decision-making."

The bill, S. 1733, includes critical elements that are directly in line with
NTPP's recommendations. Those provisions allocate specific funding for
necessary investment in transportation; recognize the benefit of integrating
mutually beneficial policies across transportation, energy and environmental
sectors; frame a national vision addressing national objectives; use
competitive programs that allow flexibility and incentivize innovation; and
elevate the importance of data collection for improved transportation planning
and decision-making.

"Awareness of the energy security and environmental protection dimensions of
transportation is not new. However, in the past these concerns have largely
been addressed outside transportation policy, often through separate policies
regulating vehicle or fuel characteristics, but not as a factor informing
transportation planning and investment decisions, said Boehlert. "NTPP
believes the federal government should play a key role integrating climate
change, energy security, and environmental protection with existing mechanisms
for transportation."

Former Congressman Boehlert encouraged the Committee to consider certain
enhancements to the legislation consistent with NTPP's recommendations. These
improvements include: optimizing transportation investments, including those
made with climate revenues, to achieve economic, safety and accessibility
outcomes, as well environmental and energy outcomes; mode-neutral funding for
greater system efficiency and innovation; and a price signal, beyond carbon
pricing, to make a difference in the climate liabilities of the private
sector.

Along with former Congressman Boehlert, NTPP is led by former Senator Slade
Gorton, former Congressman Martin Sabo and former Mayor of Detroit Dennis
Archer. NTPP's report is a strong statement by a diverse and bipartisan group
of transportation experts and business and civic leaders about the need for
fundamental reform through a performance-based transportation system.
"Our nation faces imposing challenges to our economic, environmental, and
energy futures. Rethinking transportation systems and investments cannot solve
all of these problems - but none of these problems can be fully addressed
without dealing with transportation. In that spirit, this legislation [S.
1733] must be commended for recognizing that connection," Boehlert concluded.

For more information about NTPP and to read former Congressman Boehlert's full
testimony, visit: www.bipartisanpolicy.org.

About the Bipartisan Policy Center:
In 2007, former U.S. Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob
Dole, and George Mitchell formed the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) to develop
and promote solutions that can attract the public support and political
momentum to achieve real progress. The BPC acts as an incubator for policy
efforts that engage top political figures, advocates, academics, and business
leaders in the art of principled compromise. For more information please visit
our website: http://www.bipartisanpolicy.org.

SOURCE Bipartisan Policy Center

Ashley Clark of the Bipartisan Policy Center, +1-202-637-1456,
aclark@bipartisanpolicy.org