If you've been wondering what a Green New Deal might look like, rail has to be part of it, and not just HSR. If you want a national, big picture plan for rail in this country, I have good news. There is one and it's ready to go.
If you want HSR or nothing, it won't satisfy you. HSR is only one piece of the answer to our problems: this approach looks at our situation and approaches it from multiple angles.
- More rail, better rail, more frequent rail for both freight and passenger.
- Trains running on clean power.
- Rail corridors that are transmission corridors too, connecting rural power co-ops to paying markets in the cities.
- Clean power and a smart grid, with solar and wind power that would be stranded otherwise.
- Taking trucks off highways as railroads become more competitive again.
- Good paying jobs that can't be off-shored, in communities that have been struggling.
- Public-private partnerships to leverage the ability of the government to provide financing and leadership on a scale the private sector can't by itself.
- Shifting our economy away from fossil fuels without leaving anyone behind. No more" bomb trains".
It doesn't require any technological break throughs; it can be done in years, not decades; and it doesn't mean we can't do HSR too.
If you want a quick look at how this all comes together, this three minute video spells it out.
If it interests you, look around the website, order the book - and spread the word. We need to get people behind this. There are both print and ebook versions available.
Sharing this with our elected officials is critical — here’s how. Since Congressional mail is heavily monitored and there can be delays, try sending an email to get them to watch the video, and arrange for them to get the eBook. (Message me if you want to learn about a special discount code.)
Every Democrat who has announced a run for the Presidency should get a copy. (Got a pick already? Go ahead.) Other places to get books to: libraries, community planning groups, schools… That wing nut uncle...
Take some time to look around the Solutionary Rail website — there’s some good info there and lots more in the book. I’m taking steps to get this information to my elected officials; I’m already setting up meetings.
Forward momentum!