Barack Obama said this week that we must seek an end to the age of oil in our time.
California High Speed Trains will be a big step in that direction.
In order to end the age of oil, there are a lot of challenges we must overcome. The biggest of these is transportation. Without a viable option for mass transit and a commitment to transit-oriented development, we'll never kick our oil habit.
Proposition 1 addresses both of these problems.
The bond measure will start funding the 800-mile, 220mph High-Speed Train System, with stops in every major city in California. It also provides $1 billion to local public transit for general improvements, and to build connections to the new train system.
The California High Speed Rail Authority has put together this handy interactive map, which gives you detailed information on fares, routes, and energy use.
California is already a leader in the fight against climate change, and we've set ambitious goals- a 25% reduction in GHG emissions by 2020. Unless we take bold steps like High Speed Trains, we're never going to get there.
High Speed Trains will reduce greenhouse gas emissions every year by 12 billion pounds.
They will take 92 million cars off of the road every year.
High Speed Trains only use 1/3 the energy of air travel and 1/5 the energy of car travel.
The train will only have stops in developed areas, so we can finally limit "hopscotch development" and the creation of megalopolises like "Sanframento" (No, seriously).
(all stats and other goodies can be found here.)
We don't need 16-lane superhighways in California- we need fast and efficient transportation that limits sprawl, reduces our greenhouse gas emissions, and reduces our dependence on oil.
The project has been bid, re-bid, studied, picked over, signed off, and delayed two different times now since 1996. It's ready to go. The only thing that remains is voter approval of a $9 billion bond measure on the ballot in November.
Yes, we can afford it.
If we don't pass Proposition 1 this year, the entire project may end up on the chopping block.
Only 22% of Californians even know about the High-Speed Train, and California is one of the most expensive media markets in the country. Your contribution can make a huge difference!
Join me in taking a stand for sustainable development, and a good first step toward a carbon-free future!
Check out the official campaign site at www.CaliforniaHighSpeedTrains.com