Federal News in Brief

High Speed Rail Project Announced

Fifty-four high-speed rail projects in 23 states will share in $2.4 billion to continue developing America’s first nationwide program of high-speed intercity passenger rail service. The Federal Railroad Administration received 132 applications from 32 states totaling $8.8 billion, more than three times the $2.4 billion available. During the first round of awards in the fall of 2009, applicants submitted more than $55 billion in project proposals for the initial $8 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) 2009 and 2010 appropriations as well as ARRA. (See the original DOT news release here.)

Emissions Standards Proposed for Trucks, Buses
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced national standards to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel efficiency of heavy-duty trucks and buses. This comprehensive national program is projected to reduce GHG emissions by nearly 250 million metric tons in the program’s first five years. The proposal and information about how to submit comments is at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm and http://www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy . (See the original DOT news release here.)