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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/18/2007, C6 - ENDORSEMENT OF GO21 STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES PROMOTING INCREASED USE OF FREIGHT RAIL TRANSPORTATION council M w*Dft j ac,Enaa wpoM I N.6� 6G CITY OF SAN LUIS O B I S P U FROM: Jonathan Lowell, City Attorney O - SUBJECT: ENDORSEMENT OF G021 STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES PROMOTING INCREASED USE OF FREIGHT RAIL TRANSPORTATION CAO RECOMMENDATION Endorse the Go21 Statement of Principles, and authorize the Mayor to send a letter of endorsement and other communications consistent with that endorsement. DISCUSSION Go2l's mission is not one specifically addressed in either the City's Legislative Action Platform or the League of California Cities' Legislative Priorities. At the November 3, 2007 City Council meeting, then Vice Mayor Mulholland asked that this matter be placed on a future agenda, and the Council concurred. Go21 is an organization promoting increased use of freight rail transportation in order to reduce reliance on the nation's highway system. A copy of the organization's Statement of Principles is attached. Go2l's supporters include public officials at various levels of government in 20 states along with business and other organizations. (The number of supporters is large, and thus it was not practical to attach the entire list to this report, hence, only the first page of a 26 page California supporter list is included with this report; the entire list can be accessed through Go2l's website.) Go2l's supporters are bi-partisan, and include business and environmental interests. One of Go2l's key goals is the passage of Senate Bill 1125 (introduced by Republican Senator Trent Lott) and House of Representatives Bill 2116 (introduced by Democratic Congressman Kendrick Meek), or similar legislation, that will provide tax incentives to encourage the use of rail for freight transportation purposes. Those tax incentives are also intended to encourage the construction of new rail tracks in order to accommodate increased freight rail traffic. Congresswoman Lois Capps' staff has indicated that she has not yet taken a final position on this legislation, as the details of the tax incentives are still being studied by her office, and both bills have now been referred to committees for further revision and refinement of those tax incentives. Her office noted that the wide ranging support for this legislation, from both environmental and business interests, suggests that these bills (in some form, but perhaps not as presently written) will likely move forward to the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the event that Congresswoman Capps is not supportive of this legislation, staff will investigate that position • D Endorsement of Go21 Principles Page 2 further and report back to Council, thereby allowing for possible revaluation of the Go21 Statement of Principles. For Council's consideration, attached to this report are selected pages from Go2l's website that set forth that organization's explanation of the need for incentives to benefit freight rail transportation and ways to implement such incentives. FISCAL IMPACT None. ALTERNATIVES The Council could choose not to endorse the Go21 Statement of Principles, or to not do so at this time. Such endorsement could be provided at some later date. ATTACHMENTS 1. Go21 Statement of Principles 2. Go21 Map and list of supporters (partial, first page of California supporters only) 3. Go21 Website excerpts: "Problems & Solutions" and"Issues & Campaigns" G:\Agenda-Ordinances-Resol\G021 Report.doc Go21: Growth Options for the 21st Century ENT 1 age 1 of 1 Get involved with online action± ft Growth Opttons for the 2t't Century. About Go21 Problems&Solutions Issues&Campaigns In Your State Take Action Now Press Room r t , .'�( ►' �/�..•,., �o�orya� ry� ��q,�^,qFIKRmct�1:US:lU pY.%�n •. 1, J �•. //y„//•././_ ---' ,.,.... }-..—.._�' uvs., A G(&CS!'!l•J 1`1E Iw��RYpm(1110' • - �^tW@11) Statement of Principles -_ Just Say No!to Reregulation —_- Go21 is a non-profit,public interest organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans and buildinga stronger economy b Legislation in Congress g y y promoting increased use of freight rail would shrink the rail --_ transportation as an alternative to continued reliance on an overcrowded highway system.Go21's network and put more mission is based on the following principles: freight on our highways. More... • State and federal transportation officials and others project that United States freight Track Where No Track Has Gone volumes will increase by more than 67 percent over twenty years; Before • The nation's highways are already stretched to capacity; • The efficient movement of goods is directly related to the strength of a nation's economy S. 1125 and H.R.2116 and its citizens'quality of life; El would provide incentives to • Public policies promoting increased investment in freight rail infrastructure would result in invest in capacity expasion. increased freight rail hauling capacity; More. _ • Expansion of freight rail hauling rapacity would yield impressive,public benefits by Meet Our Supporters relieving worsening congestion,reducing highway costs,providing a critical intermodal More than 1,200 community link to international trade,and improving air quality and fuel efficiency;and �,�,' leaders have endorsed the = • Relatively modest public investments in freight rail infrastructure would yield an GG21 Statement of impressive return on investment in the form of savings to motorists,businesses,and Principles.More... taxpayers. I support the Go21 mission of building a stronger economy,reducing highway congestion,improving air quality,using tax dollars more efficiently,and improving Policy Issues quality of life by advocating for increased use of freight rail transportation. e Public-Private Partnerships Click here to see brief profiles of our supporters.who have signed this Statement of Principles. o AA$HTQ Freight Rail Report m Congestion GettingNgrse! ■ Rail Can Rglie-v-e_COngestlon rl ©2007 Go21:Growth Options for the 21st Century 901 N.Pitt Street,Suite 315,Alexandria,VA 22314 1-877-446-7245 D U admin@go2l.org �U -3 http://www.go2l.org/AboutGo2l/SOP.aspx 12/6/2007 Go21: Growth Options for the 21st CenturyP 1 of 1 /7TACHMENT �- Get Involved With onlineaction! - Growth Optlons for the 21' Century About Go21 Problems&Solutions Issues&Campaigns In Your State Take Action Now Press Room r ngotlll OWN G,.YI�JL4f t r,*; •+'"•"` _ AD�3-aT�C�3- C�Itilt�- - G�IIIC�s7 _; ( � ,- � �II�oaf7C�IIt1f16t�e� - • - •Qfit�lO - _ - �� ..�-.�--- mtf4�tbu�i •- �TsiJ(t kA-;.04 Go21 Supporters —Just Say No!to Reregulation Since Go21 was formed in the summer of 2004,we have educated nearly 4,000 influential - Legislation in Congress --__ constituents in 20 states about the public benefits of shipping freight by rail.More than 750 would shrink the rail mayors,city council members,state legislators,chambers of commerce,environmental groups, network and put more and other community leaders have endorsed the Go21 Statement of Principles which advocates for increased use of freight rail transportation because of the public benefits associated with freight on our highways. shipping freight by rail.Along with thousands of everyday Americans who also have joined Go21, MIR— these leaders recognize that more freight moving by rail means less congested highways and a Track Where No Track Has Gone _ Before —- better quality of life.Click h r to see brief profiles of the leaders who have agreed to work with Go21 to promote rail solutions to our nation's transportation needs. S. 1125 and H.R.2116 would provide incentives to invest in capacity expasion. More... -- Meet Our Supporters More than 1,200 community leaders have endorsed the K:r Go21 Statement of Principles.Mores. Policy Issues ■ Public-Private Partnerships ■ AASHTO Freight Rail Report ■ Ca�9est�cn G-etting_WorSe! ■ Rall._Can-Relieve-Congestion Q @•2007 Go21:Growth Options for the 21st Century 901 N.Pitt Street,Suite 315,Alexandria,VA 22314 1-877-446-7245 D admin@go2l.org http://www.go2l.org/InYourState/Supporters.aspx 12/6/2007 Go21: Growth Options for the 71 st CenturyPage 1 of 1 AT' tvHMENT OZ. Supporter Profiles Since Go21 was formed in the summer of 2004,we have educated nearly 4,000 influential constituents in 20 states about the public benefits of shipping freight by rail.More than 500 mayors,city council members, state legislators, chambers of commerce, environmental groups, and other community leaders have endorsed the Go21 Statement of Principles, which advocates for increased use of freight rail transportation because of the public benefits associated with shipping freight by rail..Along with thousands of everyday Americans who also have joined Go21,these leaders recognize that more freight moving by rail means less congested highways and a better quality of life. Click on the states below to see a brief profile of the leaders who have agreed to work with Go21 to promote rail solutions to our nation's transportation needs. Browse Profiles By State: DE MD M 1 Search for Supporter Profile: Last Name: Submit City: i_ - Submit Select A State: Select a State Submit ©2004 Go2l:Growth Options for the 21st Century 901 N. Pitt Street, Suite 315,Alexandria, VA 22314 ' 1.877.446.7245 go21 @go2l.com http://facebook.newtarget.com/browse.php 12/6/2007 Go21: Growth Options for the 21 st Century Page 1 of 1 • ATI�;CHMENT oZ State: CA Hon. Harvey California Hall Association of Bakersfield,CA Highway •Mayor,City of Patrolmen Bakersfield Sacramento, •Founder& CA President, Hall •Representing Ambulance 11,000 active Service, Inc. and retired patrol officers •Serving California's Finest Hon.Janice Harbor Hahn '�.z Association of Los Angeles, rf (� i Industry and y CA c Commerce Los Angeles, Councilwoman, CA City of Los •Endorsed by Angeles 100 leading •Chair, corporations Alameda who represent Corridor in excess of Transportation 250,000 Authoirty workers •Former •Honored as Member, Los the"Most Angeles Outstanding Charter Reform Community Commission Organization" ©2004 Go21:Growth Options for the 21st Century 901 N. Pitt Street, Suite 315,Alexandria, VA 22314 1.877.446.7245 go21(ago21.com CG � http://facebook.newtarget.com/browse.php?qt=state&q=CA 12/6/2007 Go21: Growth Options for the 21st Centuryage 1 of 1 f(Daudl GeInvold With online actitnf 2uGneryGrovkh OpkonfoNe vEDI About Go21 Problems&Solutions Issues&Campaigns In Your State Take Action Now Press Room w :,G� ""'►-" -.- ��5rTi01n"�f,�gtl�(3k�1133 dB CffiI Problems & Solutions 3ust Say No!to Reregulation The United States economy and population are growing. So is the amount of freight that must be Legislation in Congress transported-dogging highways and adversely affecting Americans'quality of life. With freight would shrink the rail volumes expected to grow 67 percent by 2020(Freight Rail Bottom Line Report.AASHTO),it is imperative that we pursue growth options designed to carry these goods in an efficient,safe network and put more freight on our highways. manner that is environmentally and economically sound. _ More... — America's freight railroads provide such an option,presenting a clear alternative for freight Track Where No Track Has Gone transport. Transportation authorities such as the American Association of State Highway and Before Transportation Officials(AASHTO)and the Surface Transportation Policy Project(STPP)have TIPM=2 S. 1125 and H.R.2116 identified the substantial benefits of increasing rail capacity and highlighted what it means to the would provide incentives to average taxpayer and motorist. ru invest in capacity expasion. —" More... We are rapidly moving toward a transportation crisis,but there are solutions at hand. Check Meet Our Supporters out the difference freight rail can make. More than 1,200 community Also in this section icy leaders have endorsed the t Go21 Statement of Principles.Mores.., • Congestion:When There's No Rush to Rush Hour Even small cities have traffic problems and on most weekday mornings and evenings... • Clearing the Air Policy Issues Rairoads are the environmentally-friendly mode of transport. o Public-Private Partnerships o AASHTO Freight Rail Report • Getting Back on Track Railroads will continue to invest heavily in their networks... o Congestion GettinSWorse_! o gai-I-_Can.Reli v Congestion • On the Safe Side Per ton-mile of freight transported,rail is a safer method of moving goods across our country. • Anti-Congestion and Anti-Pollution—but not Anti=Truck Congestion affects everyone on the road—including those who drive trucks. a Q 2007 Go21:Growth Options for the 21st Century 401 N.Pitt Street,Suite 315,Alexandria,VA 22314 1-877-446-7245 p admin@go2l.org D C� - 7 http://www.go2l.org/ProblemsandSolutions.aspx 12/6/2007 . Go21: Growth Options for the 21 Century re` ACHMENT -ge 1 of 1 o OLS tl Get Involved with onlfne action! ME(RD VEOxg growth Opoom for me 21'cennuy About Goll. Problems&Solutions Issues&Campaigns In Your state Take Action Now Press Room r oO - el`T< C=r(c bFib Congestion: When There's No Rush to Rush Hour Just Say No!to Reregulation Even small cities have traffic problems and on most weekday mornings and evenings,the Legislation in Congress highways servicing major metropolitan areas look like parking lots. According to the Texas would shrink the rail Transportation Institute's(TTI)2005 Urban Mobility Study,the aggregate cost of highway congestion in 85 major urban areas in our country is a staggering$63.1 billion EACH YEAR. When network and put more today's higher fuel prices are factored in,the cost jumps another$1.7 billion. freight on our highways. More... We waste 3.7 billion hours of extra travel time and 2.3 billion gallons of fuel sitting in traffic. Track Where No Track Has Gone Taking inflation into account,the cost of congestion has more than QUADRUPLED since 1982. Before S. Simply put,freight rail relieves highway congestion: a single intermodal freight train can would and H.R.2116 would p provide incentives to carry 280 truck trailers,the equivalent of nearly 1,100 automobiles in traffic. Other types of trains r invest in capacity expasion. can tarty as much as 500 truck trailers. More... Click here to read about a recent study that shows how increased railroad freight use can ease Meet Our Supporters congestion. More than 1,200 community Click have endorsed the here to read about the Texas Transportation Institute's recent study on increasing Go21 Statement of congestion trends. 161 Principles.More... For more information,click here to dowload the Association of American Railroad's Background Paper on Railroads and Congestion. Policy Issues a Public-Private Partnerships a AASHTO Freight Rail Report o Conaestign Qettina Worse1 o Rail Can Relieve Conaestion a @ 2007 Go21:Growth Options for the 21st Century 901 N.Pitt Street,Suite 315,Alexandria,VA 22314 1-877-446-7245 D U admin@go2l.org http://www.go21.org/ProblemsandSolutions/Congestion.aspx 12/6/2007 Go21: Growth Options for the 21 st CenturyptI -;ACHMENT P�e 1 of 1 e G p��pt. Get Involved with online actimtf E$Jil R TB Growth Optrons for the 21"eenurry About Go21 Problems&Solutions Issues&Campaigns In Your State Take Action Now Press Room r .,„ x..:: A� , 00 Getting Back on Track Just Say No!to Reregulation Railroads will continue to invest heavily in their networks,but expenditures will focus on projects with high Legislation k Congress g expected rates of return for the railroad. This focus on internal returns is necessary and would shrink the rail appropriate in a free market economy. However,it discourages investments that would yield primarily public benefits-such a reduced congestion,cleaner air,improved safety,and enhanced network and put more freight on our highways. mobility-but insufficient direct financial benefits to railroads. More... This major problem can be partially mitigated through a more pronounced use of public-private Track Where No Track Has Gone partnerships(PPPs)for rail infrastructure improvement projects,especially in cases where the Before fundamental purpose of the project Is to provide public benefits or meet public needs. PPPs, S.1125 and H.R.2116 which combine the efficiency of the private sector with the equity of public participation,are not would provide incentives to "subsidies"to railroads. Rather,they are an acknowledgement that private entities should pay for invest in capacity expasion. private benefits and public entities should pay for public benefits. Mora„ Communities across the country are investing in rail operations that are not only making their lives Meet Our Supporters better but boosting their local economies. These public private partnerships are examples of More than 1,200 community tomorrow's potential success stories. leaders have endorsed the [i]Go21 Statement of A sharper focus on PPPs is supported by the American Association of State Highway and Prindples.More... Transportation Officials(AASHTO),which wrote in January 2003 that"(R]ealiang the benefits of a among freight-rail system will require a new partnership among the railroads,the states,and the federal goverment" For more information on the benefits of public private partnerships,review AASHTO's Freight Policy Issues Bottom Line Repo or the Association of American Railroad's background paper on rail a Public-Private Partnership investment. o AA�HTO Fre9M Reil Report o Congestion Getting Worse! o Rail Can Relieve Congestion a ©2007 Go21:Growth Options for the 21st Century 901 N.Pitt Street,Suite 315,Alexandria,VA 22314 1-877-446-7245 D admin@go2l.org http://www.go2l.org/ProblemsandSolufions/PPPs.aspx 12/6/2007 Go21: Growth Options for the 21st Centuryp� `HMENT age 1 of 1 n U h. IV Get Imotved vita+miRne action! tftp Cf j u�rrhp j Growth Opoms for tlm.21-Cenaoy About Go21 Problems&Solutions Issues&Campaigns In Your State Take Action Now Press Room ?X4^.,D� iii.'W l'YJ il��i�.0'i�'�r�+�+6 u'Y•�,�t:lj�i�� �� ;.3)Z,9 W�;e7sS•^u P:+Sf"•X'wlsia;3ls f" t o ., j,.'. � .-..r- f ^f:C7t1:'°..�'•'o CIY i[nY6+9`CTeY�.:t1T4'r"TiKS%'��. c3j."T aT.j LL7.t�.' Clearing the Air Just Say No!to Reregulation Rairoads are the environmentally-friendly mode of transport. They have introduced new technologies and implemented cutting-edge solutions to make freight rail transportation"cleaner Legislation in Congress would shrink the rail and greener." network and put more - Rail moves a ton of freight nearly 400 miles on just one gallon of fuel;rail also reduces harmful air freight on our highways. pollutants by 6 to 12 times. More... Track Where No Track Has Gone Breathe a little easier with the knowledge that moving freight by rail is better for our environment. Before To find more information,dick here to download the Association of American Railroad's J S.1125 and H.R.2116 background papers on grgenhw4 es�c a s and uildin ��eaner environment. y would provide incentives to II IV J invest in capacity expasion. — !Mgre - - Meet Our Supporters ® More than 1,200 community Leaders have endorsed the a Go21 Statement of Principles.More... -- Policy Issues o Public-Private-Pannershios o AASHTO Freight Rail MQj t n Congestion Getting Worse! o Rail-Can Relieve Congestion. a Q ©2007 Go21:Growth Options for the 21st Century 901 N.Pitt Street,Suite 315,Alexandria,VA 22314 1-877-446-7245 D admin@go21.org http://www.go21.org/ProblemsandSolutions/Environment.aspx 12/6/2007 Go21: Growth Options for the ')1 St Century ARAIMENT .3 Page 1 of 1 ��jj}}�j U e + ��Ac• o ®LS ll Get Involved wltli onlimeacdmf! @M Q�Uj5i9 c> Growth options for the Ila cennny - About Go21 Problems&Solutions Issues&Campaigns In Your State Take Action Now Press Room r Anti-Congestion and Anti-Pollution — but not Anti-Truck Just Say No!to Reregulation Congestion affects everyone on the road-including those who drive trucks. Our highways are Legislation in Congress jammed to capacity,and all road users suffer the same consequences. Truck drivers waste time would drink the rail and fuel idling in crawling traffic just like motorists. Deliveries can be delayed and those costs are network and put more passed along to the consumer. freight on our highways. The solution—putting trailers on rails.As the fastest growing segment of the U.S,freight railroad More••• industry,rail intermodal combines the long haul efficiency of rail with the door-to-door Track Where No Track Has Gone convenience of trucks. One intermodal train can carry 280 truck trailers-the equivalent of more Before than 1,000 automobiles in terms of highway congestion. Expanding intermodal operations will S.1125 and H.R.2116 benefit all parties involved-drivers,shippers and trucking companies-and go a long way toward would provide incentives to easing the increasing congestion on our highways. 717 invest in capacity expasion. When truck trailers move by rail,quality of life improves. MQ Meet Our Supporters More than 1,200 community w leaders have endorsed the G021 Statement of Principles.More... Policy Issues ti Public-Private Partnerships ti AA,SHTQ Freitht Rail Reggirt o Congestion Getting Worse! ti Rail-Can-Relieve-Congestion a Q ©2007 Go21:Growth Options for the 21st Century 901 N.Pitt Street,Suite 315,Alexandria,VA 22314 1-877-446-7245 D admin@go21.org �Ce http://www.go21.org/ProblemsandSolutions/'Trucks.aspx 12/6/2007 Go21: Growth Options for the t CenturyATTCHME T P2 e 1 of 1 g ..........................................................( . .. � - - � (5so2e] Get Znvo[t>-ed w'1tfi online action! Growth options for the 21"Century - About Go21 Problems&Solutions Issues&Campaigns In Your State Take Action Now Press Room 'i' -. .-.,.:�ISfl�FIxT�1�11�3.�1^,�.�18A7S3%� • •�¢.�Q _ _ �� tQuf'" •iS�JQ�tbQF3 .l•/ •• f�+'fb = Issues & Campaigns - Just Say No!to Reregulation Go21 has built support for the public benefits of freight rail in states across the country. Click below for information on the issues and campaigns we are working on. Legislation iCongress _ • would shrink the rail network and put more — ----- — _ freighton our highways. More... _- Current Issues & Campaigns: Track Where No Track Has Gone Before _- e Destructive Reregulation En1tVe=E== S. 1125 and H.R.2116 e Rail Capacity Expansion Incentives would provide incentives to U.S.Senate Bill 1125 officers incentives to build'track where no track has gone invest in capacity expasion. - : More before - Meet Our Supporters e CREATE Program More than 1,200 community '^• leaders have endorsed the G Go21 Statement of Principles.More... Policy Issues ■ "u�i - iva_te Partnershi0 a AASHTO Freight Rail Report ■ Congestion Getting Wgrse! ■ Rail_Can-Repave-Congestion Q C 2007 Go21:Growth Options for the 21st Century 901 N.Pitt Street,Suite 315,Alexandria,VA 22314 1-677-446-7245 D admin@go2l.org C -AZ http://www.go2l.org/IssuesandCampaigns.aspx 12/6/2007