Want to know what not to do with your state's stimulus money request?
Friends of the Earth, with data from the Transportation for America Coalition has analyzed the requests from 19 states. While praising Georgia, Massachusetts and California, the report rips South Carolina:
"South Carolina’s DOT wish list is a perfect example of how not to spend stimulus money. The state has requested $3.24 billion from the stimulus package, with 99 percent designated for roads, 80 percent of which is allotted for new road construction. This despite the fact that South Carolina has an abnormally high percentage of bridges that are structurally deficient: 14 percent. And, although eight percent of South Carolinians use public transportation, which is relatively high, less than one percent of the state’s stimulus ask is designated for public transportation."
North Carolina doesn't come in for specific praise or criticism. But look at the last page, and compare its request to Massachusetts'. In Massachusetts, 47 percent of the request would go to public transportation. Its request for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, 2.9 percent, was highest of all public DOT requests. Only 29.7 percent of Massachusetts’ request is designated to roads and of that, 100 percent is for repair and maintenance (12 percent of bridges in the state are structurally deficient).
North Carolina, by contrast, would put 83 percent of its request into roads, only 34 percent of that for repairs. Only 10 percent of its request would go to transit and an embarrassingly small 0.4 percent for bike/pedestrian transportation.
In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, the report notes, "building 10 miles of four-lane highway is like putting 46,700 Hummers on the road."
Another interesting fact: By eliminating one car and taking public transportation instead of driving, a typical two-adult, two-car household can reduce its global warming emissions by 30 percent. That comes from the American Public Transportation Association's testimony to Congress.
Monday, February 02, 2009
S.C: What NOT to do with stimulus $$
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40 comments:
This stupid BOONDOGGLE, the called stimulus package will stimulate nothing but more d--- spending which the thieves already just love to do which is the reason we are in this crisis and the BOONDOGGLE is going to finish destroying what is left of this now Socialist country.
Since when did "Friends of the Earth" get so much clout? And when is this "green" BS going to die out?
If Obamessiah wants this "stimulus" package to help with infrastrucure, I guess it was only for stupid bike paths?
Back away from the Kool-Aid people, it's going to kill this country.
Oh yea, Did I mention that I got laid off from a company that designs infrastructure today?
Freaking tree huggin commies.
If friends of the earth are against it than that settles it for me. I'm for it.
Generations after us will look back (if there are, in fact, generations after us) and wonder why we couldn't let go of our death grip on the automobile. I America dies, the tombstone will surely have to read "Killed by the car."
If they really want to put people to work and save the environment they should have a Biodiesel Mandate Nationally of say 5%. It would be a boom to the biodiesel industry hiring workers and saving the environment by getting the carbon out.
Mass. has a population density of 315 people/km. N.C. has a population density of 68 people/km. Pedestrian/bike makes sense in high population density. NC is NOT high density. No wonder newspapers are failing...the "journalists" can't be bothered to do RESEARCH and they spin off ridiculous comparisons.
"Generations after us will look back (if there are, in fact, generations after us) and wonder why we couldn't let go of our death grip on the automobile. I America dies, the tombstone will surely have to read "Killed by the car."
2/02/2009 07:45:00 PM"
You're going to tell me that you would totally give up your vehicle, take the bus or a bike to work (adding on 1-2 hours at the least to your commute to and from work), freeze your azz off by setting your thermostat a 68 (SAYING you set it at 68, but in secret are setting it at 74)just so you can save the planet?
*NEWS FLASH!*
The earth was here a lot longer before we were here, and it will be here a lot longer when we all die off.
You are not only drinking the Kool-Aid, you are chugging it.
Oops! watch out! You just stepped on a poor defenseless ant! By your own standards, you are going to hell for that action.
"If friends of the earth are against it than that settles it for me. I'm for it.
2/02/2009 07:03:00 PM"
Rock on Brother, I'm with you on that!
My carbon footprint is going to be on someone's azz.
Can you verify that 8% of SC uses mass transit? As a former SC resident I simply cannot believe this is plausible.
I'll leave the vitriol to others, but "Friends of the Earth" is no friend of individual liberty.
Agreed SC needs to fix bridges, but when you veer off course to jabber about greenhouse gasses...please!
I would imagine Charleston and Columbia plus the Charlotte burbs make up the bulk of those transit riders. The rest of the state, there just is no public transit.
"FRIENDS of the EARTH"....LOL. Now that sounds like a reputable group to quote. Mary = FAIL.
Mary, the APTA number you quoted makes no sense. You realize that right?
It says 55% of a 2-car household's CO2 footprint comes from private vehicles, but cutting 1 car and taking transit can save 30% of total emissions. Eliminating half the cars and riding some other form of transit which also has at least some carbon emissions somehow cuts the trasnsortation emissions by more than half.
Someone at APTA didn't pass basic algebra it would appear.
There seems to be a trend in this reporters belief that things are aways better or done more correctly up North.
I agree with you. A "sidewalk to nowhere was built on the eastern end of Dave Lyle Blvd. in Rock Hill, SC. What a waste of taxpayer money. Almost fraud it looks like. Assuming the taxpayers paid for it. I have never seen anyone use it. Why do politicians and public employees forget that it is taxpayer money they spend.
In order to reduce one's "global warming emmissions" there must first be global warming. We are in a multi-year cooling trend at the moment, are we not?
And then there is the matter of anthropogenic global warming. Before you cite the data of special interest groups, you might want to see if there is, replicatable,falsifiable empirical data to support their predicate claim. (The base line for real science) Thus far with regard to anthropogenic climate change, there is none. It is a political movement pursued by special interest groups in the basence of reliable science. That's why it's proponents insist that to debate the matter is illegitimate.
Who cares what FOE thinks or how they rate states. If they think S.C. will use the money the wrong way, it's the right way for me. This is not a stimulus package yet and will not be unless it is restructured to stimulate something. So far it's a spending package crammed full of left wing socialist programs with money for their contributors and friends. Much like the hiring of their friends who have not paid taxes in years. Friends of the Earth have absolutely no clout with most Americans therefore their thoughts are not wanted, needed, and will not be adhered to by anyone outside of the tree hugging community. That is a small group of narrow minded individuals who protest and call people names when they should be working somewhere.
After reading various of the comments posted here you can now see how strong ignorance and hate is in the South. Many of us will fight that till our last breath in order to bring about a more just and sustainable future. Keep at it Friends of the Earth and other public interest groups! By reading things posted here you can see how badly your views are needed.
Not sure where they got their information, but SCDOT has not submitted a wish list to Washington. Back in November, the agency was asked how much work it could put to contract in 120 days ("ready-to-go" projects). SCDOT identified 51 highway projects and several transit projects meeting the 120-day requirement (permits in hand and design work complete) at the time, totaling $850 million. The agency did not send their worksheet of ready-to-go projects to Washington and there never has been a wish list. Congress will likely set aside transit and highways dollars into separate program categories. In January, the SCDOT Commission adopted a tentative plan for distribution of the highway portion. That plan calls for one-third going to resurfacing, one-third going to upgrade of existing highways, and one-third going to safety and bridge replacements. Of course, no one yet knows what strings Congress might attach.
what exactly are global warming emissions?
"After reading various of the comments posted here you can now see how strong ignorance and hate is in the South. Many of us will fight that till our last breath in order to bring about a more just and sustainable future. Keep at it Friends of the Earth and other public interest groups! By reading things posted here you can see how badly your views are needed.
2/03/2009 11:46:00 AM"
Ignorance and hate isn't coming from the South, Sweetie. It's coming from Washington in the White Mosque, and from people like you who would rather kill off the human race to save some trees.
Charleston sent in a big list:
http://www.usmayors.org/mainstreeteconomicrecovery/stimulussurveyparticipantsdata.asp?City=Charleston&State=SC
and Columbia:
http://www.usmayors.org/mainstreeteconomicrecovery/stimulussurveyparticipantsdata.asp?City=Columbia&State=SC
I agree with one of the below posts. The population density of MA is much greater than SC - also the geography, weather, and culture. Public transportation needs are much different in these 2 states. One is not wrong or right. I would rather be here in the Carolinas, than in the NorthEast where I lived for 35 yreas.
As for the sidewalk on Dave Lyle in Rock Hill. Are there plans to extend it across I-77 to Manchester Village? Then, it might get some use. Otherwise, there's just no purpose for it because it doesn't really connect anything
Rick, I'm guessing not every private vehicle emits the same amount. So, getting rid of the most inefficient car in favor of the more efficient car, or having the person with the longer commute take transit would account for the potential emission savings. Not saying APTA does the best studies on this, but there's more than simple algebra to take into account.
Also, I'm not sure the bus adds an hour or two to anyone's commute. It adds maybe 10 minutes to mine, which far outweighs the savings
"It says 55% of a 2-car household's CO2 footprint comes from private vehicles, but cutting 1 car and taking transit can save 30% of total emissions. Eliminating half the cars and riding some other form of transit which also has at least some carbon emissions somehow cuts the trasnsortation emissions by more than half.
Someone at APTA didn't pass basic algebra it would appear."
And that major assumption of yours is in the APTA study where, last anon? It's not, but nice try anyway.
Wouldn't you say it's likely that most two car families with a stay at home parent and a minivan will probably keep that one to haul the kids? Maybe they get rid of their less efficient car - dropping their vehicle emissions well less than half.
Also, you are also assuming that people who use transit must get rid of the second car. They don't. I ride the bus almost every weekday and have the longest commute, but still have to keep a vehicle to get to the park and ride.
I suppose you could have everyone move into Transit Corridors like CharMeck wants in order to get everyone really close to transit, but that assumption wasn't in there either.
the earth has been cooling since 1998; get over the religious hysteria over global warming/climate change. This is part of the "natural" cycle of our ever changing little blue marble in space.
Now, if you want to debate who SC plans their roads, start by getting rid of whoever designed Manchester Village off of Dave Lyle Blvd.
to the post on 2/04/2009 10:48:00 AM: This has got to one of the most absurd thing I have ever read. That applies to all others who want to live in the past. China has more strict emission standards than us. China!
When China says there is a problem, it is time to start beleiving there is a problem. They aren't the authority on looking the other way. When they stop, it is time to stop!
tajblues...you don't know China very well...
and I stand by my statement. Humans are not causing the destruction of the earth. We are in natural climate cycles that have happened since the dawn of time...unless you can tell me what cars the dinosaurs drove...
Stimulus payments? Mary, we could accomplish more, much faster, by forcing the PowerBall folks to distribute those frequent $200 million jackpots to 10,000 winners instead of only one. Here’s the rest of the plan I’d like to see:
1.Break up all the big bank, mortgage and securities firms into many small bank, mortgage and securities firms. (The “Shoulda Left Well Enough Alone” Factor.)
2. Dismantle all Washington bureaucracies except for the military and homeland security.
3. Tell household couples to select which one of the pair keeps their job, and which one stays home to raise the kids. (Doesn’t have to be “the man”. I’m not being regressive here.)
4. Tell families that it’s up to you to provide for Mom, Dad and Aunt Madge in their old age, and then ax Social Security and all welfare programs.
It worked before. No reason why it won’t work again.
"tajblues said...
to the post on 2/04/2009 10:48:00 AM: This has got to one of the most absurd thing I have ever read. That applies to all others who want to live in the past. China has more strict emission standards than us. China!
When China says there is a problem, it is time to start beleiving there is a problem. They aren't the authority on looking the other way. When they stop, it is time to stop!
2/04/2009 12:13:00 PM"
Please feel free to move to your beloved China. They are such a trustworthy dictatorship that really treats their people well! Being a Christian there is a plus, I hear.
BTW, what ever happened to those actors that said they were going to move to Canada when Bush was elected? Did they ever leave? LMAO!
I don't know about y'all, but I'm staying in the good ol' USA no matter what comes from this administration. I'm not going to run, I'm going to dig in and fight for my freedoms that they are trying to strip away from me.
I am not interested in moving to CHina, I just find it scary that they have stronger emission standards for vehicles.
In addition, I agree, there are natural warming and cooling cycles. It just seems that this cycle is moving at a rapid pace.
I am not the first to jump on a bandwagon, but when the one case tips the scales, I beleive.
Please, provide factual and unbiased resources making an indisputable case against global warming.
Siting Dinosaur extinction will not do the job
Please, provide factual and unbiased resources making an indisputable case against global warming.
Not at all on the bandwagon, eh?
I suppose you believe the global warming alarmists have provided such evidence - right?
I would say teh EPA leads the charge.
I think that is a federally funded agency. Right?
What if I'm wrong?
A cleaner envirnment
What if your wrong?
Uh oh.
Indisputable fact #1:
The earth has warmed and cooled several times in its history prior to the Indusrial Revolution.
Indisputable fact #2: we are technically still in an ice age although we are coming out of it hence, global temperatures could fluctuate towards a perceived warming trend...a la spring emerging from winter.
more to follow...however, this is not to put anyone down. This is merely to point to alternative explanations for changing weather/climate patterns as all good science should look at all possiblities.
Rick, exactly where did I assume that taking transit required you to get rid of a car. You're still driving fewer miles, which reduces the footprint. THe APTA study said "potential" savings in a best-case scenario. I'm not saying your scenarios aren't plausible, but neither is the study mathematically incorrect. It would be silly to assume that each driver drives the same number of miles, which is what you're saying when you accuse the APTA of not mastering basic algebra,
Also, even if the family kept the less efficient car, that van probably drives fewer miles -- to the store, to the kids' activities -- rather than crosstown to work and back.
So, nice try defending your first point, but we could go back and forth all day on all the probable scenarios, APTA used the best-case scenario. It probably could have expanded on that a bit, but there was a footnote where you can find more information I believe.
And what's wrong with living near enough to transit to walk to it?
"tajblues said...
I am not interested in moving to CHina, I just find it scary that they have stronger emission standards for vehicles."
See, that's the way China controls their people. If you don't conform to our way of thinking.........you die.
So, what you're saying here, tajblues, is that you agree with this mindset, right?
Go green like we are trying to force you to do...........or die.
Picking China as an example was the 1st mistake of many that you have chosen to defend your socialist agenda against America.
Funny stuff...another reason why SC has their priorities in the right place.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/
editorial_opinion/oped/articles/
2009/02/07
/another_gift_for_the_auto_industry
/
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