Obama on track for energy-efficient transport

clipped from www.energyefficiencynews.com US President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood have unveiled plans to create a new high-speed rail network. “My high-speed rail proposal will lead to innovations that change the way we travel in America. We must start developing clean, energy-efficient transportation that will define our regions for centuries to come,” said Obama. The President’s strategic plan lays out a budget of $8 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act with an additional $1 billion a year for five years from the federal budget to fund a series of new city to city rail links. The plan highlights ten regions for potential investment, which include California, the Pacific Northwest, the Gulf Coast, Chicago, Florida and New England. Investment will be aimed at creating new high-speed rail links in these regions and improving existing rail links.