Memo to Federal and State Highway Agencies: Keep CMAQ Funds On Track to Cut Pollution

Congress included an innovative program in the 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) that for over 20 years has helped clean up the environment by providing funds for transportation projects designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) funds are provided to states based on the population of local areas in “non-compliance” or those “seeking to maintain compliance” with strict national standards for ozone and carbon monoxide set up under the landmark Clean Air Act. In the first 10 years of the program the number of person days of unhealthy air quality declined by 38 percent nationally with California leading the pack for spending funds and accounting for 97 percent of that improvement.
But MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century), passed by Congress June 29th, included a number of provisions that put CMAQ funds in immediate jeopardy and could siphon as much as half of the program’s annual $3.3 billion funding away from regions facing public health threats due to air pollution by providing “flexibility” to states on how the money is spent.

Such implementation would eviscerate CMAQ as an important tool for preserving public health, diverting investments in projects that reduce pollution from tailpipes through technologies such as new rail cars and buses as well as diesel vehicle retrofit projects. CMAQ funds have gone towards improved public transit, traffic signalization and other traffic flow improvements, trip reduction and ride-sharing initiatives, and bicycle facilities.

Thankfully, federal and state highway administrations can stay the course towards cleaner air, and guidance from the U.S. Transportation Department can make sure we the public know what is happening with our tax dollars. In this spirit earlier this week the NRDC, along with seven other organizations, sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood urging him to implement the law to maximize CMAQ’s effectiveness and to direct his staff to ensure states continue to use CMAQ for projects that actually clean the air and improve public health for the sake of our communities and environment. We recommended that:
State highway agencies be required to hold a 30-day comment period before diverting funding from regions with significant air pollution since accountability and transparency is the least taxpayers deserve in exchange for the additional latitude the new law provides; andFHWA issue a special rule allowing substantial flexibility in determining what sources localities and states can use to provide the newly required local match. Under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, CMAQ funds did not need to be matched.
When the EPA established new ground-level ozone standards in 2008 they mapped areas that have met or not met (attainment vs. nonattainment) the standards. The map is splattered with nonattainment areas from coast-to-coast, putting millions of Americans, especially those in major metropolitan areas, at risk from breathing air that contains ozone, a component of smog pollution that can trigger a variety of respiratory-related health problems, and is especially dangerous to people with lung disease, asthmatics, children, older adults and people who are active outdoors.

Ground-level ozone also damages vegetation and ecosystems, leads to reduced agricultural crop and commercial forest yields, reduced growth and survivability of tree seedlings, and increased susceptibility to diseases, pests and other stresses such as harsh weather. The science is also clear that particulate matter or soot, especially fine particles, can cause severe health damage as well which explains a laudable change to CMAQ -- 25 percent of the money must be used to reduce such pollution in states challenged by it.
EPA’s Final Nonattainment Areas for the 2008 Ozone Standards

I urge lawmakers to continue putting every penny of available CMAQ funds into improving our air quality, the original intent of the program. Those of us who breathe air can't afford the environmental or health-related consequences of not doing so.

No Risk Alternative Energy Funds? No Way

On the surface, investing in alternative energy funds seems like a great idea, especially since it appears as though this industry will undergo record growth in the coming years. With that being said, however, investors must proceed with a great deal of caution, since there are definitely no guarantees when dealing with this industry. Government regulations can significantly influence the long term sustainability of alternative energy and even though these methods of energy production are renewable, there is no guarantee that they will be profitable enough to make a difference. Basically, while these alternative energy funds do have a great deal of potential, they are just as likely to fail long term because many of these funds are over inflated based on industry hype.

Finding some alternative energy funds to get involved with will not be difficult, as it seems as though there are countless companies who are looking for investors. While these funds might be highly sought over, since energy is the world's largest trade, they also come with a great deal of volatility. For example, the political climate in a region can greatly influence whether or not an energy source is able to be used. Since energy in most parts of North America is regionally based, finding a buyer in a different region can be difficult if a certain type of energy production is not regulated in a certain area.

Another thing to keep in mind is that energy production is high event, which means that there is always the chance of something happening. If you invest in alternative energy funds and there is an explosion at a power plant, it will cut into your profits significantly. While these power plants would probably not do as much damage as a nuclear meltdown, the fact remains that there is always this type of risk when dealing with energy of any type. The last thing an investor needs is for a power plant to sustain damage, but it is definitely something that goes with the territory.

One aspect of alternative energy funds that many investors overlook is taxation. Since energy is something that we all need, governments know that they can tax these industries heavily. Therefore, you might see heavy taxes being levied against any fund that you get involved with in the future. In order for your energy source to be sustainable, you must keep it affordable, so even if it is your customers who are heavily taxed, you must make up the difference if you wish for your energy source to be chosen. While this is not a decision that any investors will have to make, it will impact the return that investors get.

Regulatory risks also go with the territory when dealing with alternative energy funds, as there are countless codes that must be adhered to and if any of these regulations are not being followed, it will impact the bottom line of the fund significantly. This means that investors will be relying on employees to keep their investments safe, which is much different from investing in something like gold. Energy is different from many other investments because it is a commodity that must eventually be delivered to customers, which creates more risks in itself. Rather than simply having a product that holds a certain value, there is work that must be done in order to create this value in energy, which is where the market can run into problems.

Finally, there will always be a problem with supply and demand in alternative energy funds, as there is a great deal of debate on how much is actually needed. Once again, unlike gold, you cannot simply sit on this energy and sell it later, as it cannot be stored in the same manner. That is probably where most of the questions come into play, as these funds are entirely based on the demand for that particular form of energy at any given time.

In the end, there is a great deal of room for growth in this industry, but that is no guarantee that this growth will occur. That is why this industry is so volatile, as it is young enough to have this potential, but is still too young to adequately predict the future. This uncertainty is the reason why alternative energy funds will have more questions than answers in the near future.

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Trends in investment in alternative energy funds

With the current trend for more respectful of the environment and sustainable energy sources, about 155 million dollars was invested in alternative energy funds last year. This Fund still does not include Spa grande, showing that the cause is growing wider and wider as time goes on.

Even large companies and powerful investors to invest their money to support the cause, it has stimulated awareness of more alternative energy sources. This year, this even is expected go higher. Among alternative energy funds, $ 13.5 million were given to companies that are developing new technologies to be more sustainable energy resources. Some 117 million dollars was invested in projects focused on renewable energy such as wind power, biofuels, solar and geothermal.

This increase in funds for alternative energy is four times higher than in 2004. Even though the global economic crisis is loomed in most companies, there was still a high share of funds for alternative energy.

Different countries are showing a lot of support in this case for more sustainable energy resources, providing greater awareness and support from all over the world. Economies such as Brazil and China contributed to the five per cent increase in the total amount of funds to hedge funds.

According to an Assistant Secretary-General and the executive director of the United Nations programme environment Achim Steiner, the economic crisis has definitely affected the clean energy campaign. This is especially true in the United States, where investments declined 2 percent. However, efforts are still just so overwhelming, especially now that sustainable energy is becoming standard.

Noteworthy are the efforts of China, which is currently the second largest wind energy market. This is in terms of new capacity, as well as photovoltaics manufacturing. Geothermal energy has been receiving more and more popular, especially in countries such as Kenya, Japan and Australia.

Even countries like Chile, Brazil, Philippines and Peru have been bringing in efforts to introduce policies and laws that promote the conservation of energy and more environmentally friendly ways of life and energy production. These countries have taken note of the alternative energy funds and have been seeing mobilization even in non-governmental organizations.

Between all energy resources, the wind was able to attract the largest number of funds for alternative energy. However, solar power had increased in terms of market share, while biofuels energy fell slightly by 9 percent.

One of the responses of the countries to the economic crisis is creating stimulus packages that have specific provisions for energy efficiency, promotion of renewable energies. These new agreements can contribute significantly to the efforts of having more clean energy. These alternative energy funds would most certainly help support the clean energy market.

Due to these efforts, it is assumed that tools of green energy prices would also fall. Solar modules, for example, expected that it would soon fall by 43 per cent in terms of price. This is because supply bottleneck have been facilitating, enabling more suppliers to produce according to the requirements of the countries. Sustainable energy unit has increased also funds alternative energy even for production companies.

This shows that the private sector is to soon to the trend. Investments were also seen in bottleneck of last year, but this year, must be at the same time and still increase significantly. Investments for sustainable energy are also one of the biggest stimulus packages in Governments around the world. Efforts have been observed and reported on different occasion. In Asia, China is still that the giant even in alternative energy funds.

There is a strong message that is beyond all these funds of energies alternatives come from all over the world. The banks are encouraged to increase its lending to the energy sector, deductions or tax exemptions are asked for funds for renewable energy sources and more efforts have been in the form of obtaining alternative energy and flow of investment funds.

The plans that are supported by funds of alternative energies are dispersed between short, medium and long term goals. As the different Governments of countries of the world continue to support the cause, we soon live in a more sustainable Earth.

Investment trends for alternative energy funds

The current trend for sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources, was about $ 155 billion invested last year in the alternative energy funds. This Fund does not include even large hydroelectric power, which shows that the case is getting wider and bigger as time expires.

Awareness for more alternative energy sources has spurred even the big powerful companies and investors to invest their money in support of the cause. This year, even expected to go higher.In the alternative energy funds received $ 13.5 billion to companies that are developing new technologies to more renewable sources of energy. Approximately $ 117 billion was invested in projects that focus on renewable energy sources such as wind, biofuels, solar and geothermal energy.

This increase in the resources of the alternative energy is the result of six times higher than that of 2004. Even if the global economic crisis on the most companies loomed, there was a high turn-out in the field of alternative energy resources.

Different countries are showing a great deal of support in this case for renewable energy sources, which are more awareness and support from all over the world.Emerging economies such as Brazil and China have contributed to the increase of 5% of the total amount of funds that are devoted to alternative resources.

According to UN Secretary General and the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme Achim Steiner, the economic crisis has certainly affect the campaign for clean energy.This is especially true in the United States, where the investment decreased by 2%. efforts are still just as overwhelming, especially now that renewable energy is becoming mainstream.

Clearly, the efforts of China, which is currently the second largest market in wind energy. This is in terms of new capacity, as well as the photovoltaic industry. geothermal energy is becoming more and more used, especially in countries such as Kenya, Japan and Australia.

Developing countries such as Chile, Brazil, the Philippines and Peru have brought in the policies and legislation in energy savings and more environmentally friendly ways of life and energy production would stimulate. these countries have taken note of the funds for alternative energy and mobilization, even in the non-governmental organisations.

Among all energy sources could wind the largest amount in alternative energy.Solar energy, however, was the largest increase in terms of market share, while bio-energy a bit Dim with 9 percent.

One of the answers of the countries on the economic crisis is creating stimulus packages that specific provisions to improve energy efficiency, renewable energy sources.This new listings can significantly contribute to the efforts of cleaner energy.This alternative energy resources would most surely support the market for cleaner energy.

Because of these efforts, it is assumed that prices for green energy tools also would fall.Solar panels, for example, is expected to soon with 43% in terms of price. This is because the supply bottleneck is more flexible, allowing more suppliers can produce according to the requirements of the countries.The pursuit of sustainable energy also increased alternative energy shall also apply in the case of the companies that produce them.

This proves that the private sector quickly catch up on the trend is. investments were also observed in the sticking point last year, but this year, they have to get and even to increase substantially. investments in sustainable energy are also one of the largest incentives in the Governments all over the world. efforts are noticed and reported in another occasion. in Asia, China remains the giant also in alternative energy resources.

There is a clear message that not all of these alternative energy resources from all over the world. banks are encouraged to take their lending to the energy sector, tax exemptions or deduction will be prompted for renewable energy, and increased efforts are on the way to the alternative energy resources and investment flows.

The plans that are supported by alternative energy resources are scattered over the short, medium and long term objectives. until such time as the several Governments of countries around the world continue to support the cause, we'll soon be in a more sustainable world.