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For Immediate Release
06/24/08
Contact: Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
Brian Eaton w/Stevens 202-224-0445
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Stevens Calls for Improvements to Transportation Systems During Climate Change Hearing
Pushes for Increased Energy Efficiency and Reduced Green House Gas Emissions
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today called for improvements to the planning, design, construction, and operation of transportation systems in response to climate change impacts.  Senator Stevens pushed to explore the potential for increased energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector during the Commerce Committee hearing on the effects of climate change on the transportation infrastructure.
 
Senator Stevens submitted the following statement:
 
The University of Alaska recently released a report on the potential impacts of climate change on transportation and public infrastructure in Alaska.  The report found that the effects of climate change stand to increase maintenance and replacement costs of public infrastructure in Alaska by up to 20 percent, or an additional $6 billion over the next two decades.  We can mitigate these impacts and reduce costs through study and research on improving the planning, design, construction, and operation of transportation systems.
 
We must also explore the potential for increased energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector.  I have supported legislation to increase the fuel economy standards for automobiles, but conservation measures and alternative energies need to be part of our long term strategy.  The idea that we can transition from fossil fuels anytime in the next 20 years is not realistic.
 
Worldwide oil demand is expected to increase to 116 million barrels a day by 2030.  We do need to explore ways to ease our dependence on fossil fuels in the transportation sector, but the investments required to make this transition are enormous.  This is why I continue to argue that revenues from new domestic sources of oil, including ANWR, should be devoted to climate change adaptation and alternative energy development to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
 
Senator Stevens was the first member of Congress in 2007 to introduce legislation (S.183) to increase fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks and pushed the Senate to pass a bipartisan agreement. Last December the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007 was signed into law.
 
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June 2008 Press Releases  « May | July »   « 2007 | 2009 » 
27th -  Senate Passes Maritime Pollution Prevention Act
27th -  Stevens Praises DOT’s “When Kids Fly Alone” Booklet
27th -  Oceans Subcommittee Announces Hearing on Fishing Safety
26th -  Commerce Committee Reschedules Hearing to Explore Privacy Implications of Online Advertising
25th -  CPSC Conferees Agree to 21 Provisions
25th -  Commerce Committee POSTPONES Hearing on Summer Air Travel Outlook
24th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Summer Air Travel Hearing
24th -  Commerce Committee Approves Sea Grant Reauthorization
24th -  current Press Release
24th -  Commerce Committee Approves National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008
24th -  CPSC Conference Committee Meeting Scheduled for June 25
24th -  Committee Approves Measure Sponsored by Inouye and Stevens to Prevent Illegal Seafood from Entering U.S. Markets
24th -  Inouye: Commerce Committee Must Continue Its Efforts to Mitigate Transportation Sector’s Impacts on Climate Change
20th -  Commerce Committee Roundup for June 16 - 20, 2008
20th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Climate Change Impacts on Transportation
20th -  Senate Passes Bill to Help Educate Consumers on DTV Transition and Converter Box Program
20th -  Senate Adopts Inouye Amendment Aiding Seniors, Rural America, and Minorities with DTV Transition Prep
19th -  Inouye, Stevens, Cantwell, Snowe, Kerry Introduce Bill Connecting Colleges and NOAA for Research Initiatives
19th -  Commerce Committee Announces Hearing on Summer Air Travel Outlook
18th -  Stevens Pleased to See FCC Transform “Do-Not-Call” List to “Never Call” List
17th -  Senate Commerce Committee Announces June 24 Markup Agenda
17th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Cruise Ship Safety Hearing
17th -  Commerce Committee POSTPONES Hearing to Explore Privacy Implications of Online Advertising
16th -  Inouye Supports Bill Expanding 911 Capabilities
16th -  Senate Passes Bipartisan VoIP/Public Safety Bill with Compromise Provisions Sponsored by Senator Stevens
16th -  Science Subcommittee Announces Witnesses for Field Hearing on Kennedy Space Center Workforce Transition
12th -  Commerce Committee to Explore Privacy Implications of Online Advertising
11th -  Inouye Announces Additions to Commerce Committee Staff
10th -  Science Subcommittee to Examine Kennedy Space Center Workforce Transition at Cape Canaveral Field Hearing
9th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Supply Chain Security Hearing
6th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Spyware Hearing
6th -  Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Improving Efficiency of Freight Movement
6th -  Commerce Committee Postpones U.S.-Korea Automobile Trade Imbalance Hearing
5th -  Senate Confirms DOC General Counsel, Assistant Secretary Nominees
4th -  Commerce Committee to Examine Impact of Spyware on Consumers and Businesses
4th -  Commerce Subcommittee to Examine Supply Chain Security
4th -  NTSB Reauthorization Hearing Postponed
3rd -  Commerce Committee to Examine U.S.-Korea Automobile Trade Imbalance
3rd -  Commerce Committee to Examine Cruise Ship Safety
2nd -  Commerce Committee Announces Hearing on Improving Efficiency of Freight Movement
2nd -  Auto Safety Subcommittee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Passenger Vehicle Roof Strength
2nd -  Commerce Committee Announces Hearing to Examine Climate Change Impacts on Transportation
2nd -  NTSB, GAO to Testify at NTSB Reauthorization Hearing
 
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