Ports

White Honolulu Skyline train on elevated track.

Hawai’i Transportation Projects Receive Federal Grants

State officials say they need around $15 billion to mitigate the impacts of rising seas.

February 28, 2024 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Coal Railroad

Mountain Coal States vs. West Coast Cities

A legal battle is being waged between the coal-exporting states of Utah, Wyoming, and Montana and coastal cities in California, Oregon, and Washington that pits the power of local land-use authority against the protection of interstate commerce.

March 16, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

East Bay Regional Park District

Trails and Rails Battle in San Francisco Bay Shoreline Park

Can freight trains and a scenic shoreline park along San Francisco Bay coexist, or are they incompatible uses? The East Bay Regional Park District voted to remove old rail tracks that BNSF Railway wants to reactivate. A local court may decide.

April 16, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Alabama Is Latest State to Hike Gas Tax

Thanks to bipartisan cooperation and strong leadership from Gov. Kay Ivey, the Heart of Dixie passed it first fuel tax hike in 27 years. The 21 cents per gallon tax will increase by 10 cents in three increments by 2021 and then indexed to inflation.

March 31, 2019 - AL.com

Recreational Vehicle

Bipartisan Support for Federal Diesel Emissions Reduction Bill

Established in 2005 to reduce toxic diesel emissions, the Diesel Emissions Reductions Act expired in 2016. A bipartisan effort appears to be in place to see it reauthorized this year.

March 23, 2019 - Transport Topics

Port Industry

Port Industry Stresses Need for Rail Access

A new report by the American Association of Port Authorities makes the case for more funding toward port access infrastructure projects.

June 14, 2018 - RailwayAge

Proterra Electric Bus

California to Invest $1 Billion in Electric Trucks, Buses, Charging Infrastructure

The investment comes not from the state legislature but from two regulatory bodies, the Air Resources Board and the Public Utilities Commission, authorizing the expenditure of VW settlement funds and utility ratepayer funds, respectively.

June 4, 2018 - San Francisco Chronicle

Port of Long Beach

Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports Put Zero Emissions Goal in Writing

Mayors Eric Garcetti and Robert Garcia pledge their ports will bring their carbon footprint down to zero by 2030.

June 21, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

The Greening of Large Trucks Begins at California's Ports

A Planetizen blog post by Casey Brazeal asks, "When will the trucking industry electrify?" Three truck manufacturers and electric truck builder BYD Motors are now in competition thanks to a $23.6 million state grant to the South Coast Air District.

May 9, 2016 - Fleet Owner

Expected Budget Cuts Hurt Port Modernization Prospects in Anchorage

The Alaska Legislature snubbed the Port of Anchorage due to a huge state budget shortfall. The port handles 90 percent of the state's freight and is a vital national security facility.

April 23, 2016 - Alaska Public Media

Port of Houston Breaking Cargo Records

Local businesses and a global economy are driving growth at the Port of Houston. More opportunity growth could be on its way soon, too.

August 14, 2015 - Houston Chronicle

Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 Signed into Law

President Obama has signed "a bipartisan $12.3 billion water bill that will help improve harbors, waterways, levees, and ecosystems across the United States," according to an article by Adie Tomer and Joseph Kane.

June 10, 2014 - Brookings: The Avenue

Critical Water Bill Passes Senate, Awaits President's Signature

After passing the House earlier on a 412-4 vote, the Senate voted 91-7 on May 22 to pass a $12.3 billion water infrastructure bill known as Water Resources Reform and Development Act. It had been seven years since the act was last reauthorized.

May 26, 2014 - The Hill

Waterways Infrastructure Bill: Prelude to Highway Bill Agreement?

Last Thursday, House and Senate leaders announced agreement on an $8.2 billion waterways infrastructure bill, and if they have their way, it won't be their last major agreement. On Monday, a successor highway bill (to MAP-21) will be released.

May 13, 2014 - The Hill

The Economics Behind Crude by Rail

Sure, it costs more than moving by pipeline—double or triple the price per barrel. But look at the speed: five days versus 40. A new rail terminal in Beaumont, Texas sheds light on the economics that make CBR attractive to shippers and refineries.

April 19, 2014 - The New York Times - U.S. - The Texas Tribune

Port of Albany is a Major Destination for North Dakota Oil

Crude-by-rail from the Bakken shale formation has transformed the sleepy Port of Albany, NY into a major supplier of cheaper crude for East Coast refineries. Jad Mouawad writes two articles on the importance of the port and the dangers from the oil.

March 4, 2014 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

Obama Renews Push for Infrastructure Spending, But Is Anyone Listening?

While President Obama's push for much-needed infrastructure investment in the face of opposition and inaction may be admirable, one must ask if his continued pleas are falling on deaf ears. Could the political winds be changing?

November 8, 2013 - The New York Times

Strict Standards for Ship Emissions Cleanse Bay Area Air

Thanks to a Calif. law implemented in 2008 requiring ocean-going ships to switch from high-sulfur bunker fuel to cleaner fuels within 24 miles of the coast, Bay Area air quality significantly improved by reducing deadly particulate emissions.

October 9, 2013 - BAAQMD News Release

Charleston Debates Whether Cruise Project Should Set Sail

As the cruise industry grows, being a port of call is an increasingly lucrative proposition. However, many cities are having a hard time balancing "the economic benefits of cruise ships against their cultural and environmental impact."

February 22, 2013 - The New York Times

Is the Arctic Poised to Become the Next Silk Road?

Philip Bump contemplates a future in which Arctic Ocean trade routes give rise to thriving port cities dotting the northern coasts of North America and Eurasia alike.

November 24, 2012 - Grist

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