Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Streetsblog

Wednesday’s Headlines Are Trying to Do Our Part

12:00 AM EST on December 22, 2021

    • Sen. Joe Manchin, who killed measures to fight climate change in the Build Back Better plan before spiking the bill entirely, has a long history of listening to West Virginia coal and gas interests (New York Times). The coal miners' union, though, wants Manchin to reverse his opposition to BBB because of the green jobs and black-lung funding it contains (CNN).
    • The world's wealthiest 10 percent of people are responsible for half the carbon emissions, and that cuts across countries. Although the U.S. is a "super-emitter," the richest people in the Middle East or Asia, for example, produce many times more emissions than the poorest in Europe. Yet solutions like a carbon tax disproportionately affect low- and middle-income people. (Grist)
    • Urban residents' recent embrace of bikes could help reduce carbon emissions, but the boom-and-bust nature of historical cycling trends makes it hard to predict. (E&E News)
    • Bay Area transit agencies are facing a fiscal cliff as they burn through federal COVID cash while ridership still hasn't recovered from the pandemic, a glaring example of the dangers of relying on fares for funding. (San Jose Mercury News)
    • Portland's TriMet transit agency received $289 million from the American Rescue Plan, but that will only stave off projected budget cuts from 2026 until 2028, and it won't fix a driver shortage that has already led to service cutbacks. (Oregonian)
    • In the hopes of improving transit efficiency, the Massachusetts DOT is letting buses drive on highway shoulders to avoid congestion. (Mass Live)
    • A long-awaited South Jersey rail line is still at least six years away. (WHYY)
    • A parking garage stairwell collapsed in Clearwater, Florida, killing at least one person. (WTSP)
    • A Baton Rouge regional planning board is asking for feedback on a proposed bike trail winding through five Louisiana parishes. (The Advocate)
    • Yes, Virginia, there is a Cycle Claus: Churches and other organizations in communities like Columbia, South Carolina (WLTX), Syracuse (CNY Central) and Virginia Beach (13 News Now) are fixing up donated bikes to give away for the holidays.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Streetsblog ChicagoStreetsblog Chicago

Distracted Off-Duty Cop Jumped Curb and Killed Chicago Woman On Sidewalk

It's infuriating that a person who was entrusted to help keep the public safe was reckless enough to take her eyes off the road while driving to pick up a phone, with tragic consequences.

December 8, 2023
Today's Headlines

Friday’s Headlines Include Transit

An International Association of Public Transport study found that many countries are neglecting transit in their plans to combat climate change.

December 8, 2023
Streetsblog Los AngelesHighway Expansion

Calif. Using“Auxiliary Lane” Freeway Widening Loophole for Non-Aux Lane Projects

Beyond just using harmful loopholes legally, Metro and Caltrans deceptively bypass environmental regulations in order to keep on widening freeways.

December 8, 2023
Talking Headways

Talking Headways Podcast: Sausage Making and the ADA

"It is fundamentally inappropriate to keep charging disabled people twice as much," our guest Ron Brooks says.

December 7, 2023
Transit

The Real Reason Assaults Against Transit Workers Are On The Rise

Hint: it's not just because service has been slashed.

December 7, 2023
See all posts