Senate passes transportation bill, votes down big oil, but also renewable energy PTC

The Senate passed the $109 billion Transportation Bill today in a bipartisan 74-22 vote. When it's passed by the House, it will fund road and transit projects for the next two years.

The current bill expires at the end of this month, putting pressure on the House.

"This is a jobs bill; 2.8 million jobs hang in the balance," says Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-CA).

Yesterday, the Senate voted on several important amendments to the Transportation bill.

All the amendments failed: the Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit (PTC) was not extended; the bid to open oil and oil shale drilling everywhere was defeated, as was the attempt to eliminate ALL energy tax breaks and retroactively rescind renewable energy tax breaks that have already been granted.

LA's Transportation Agency adopts another great environmental policy, implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy

The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) adopted a Renewable Energy Policy; they are now officially on a roll adopting strong environmental policies.  Last month they adopted a landmark Green Construction Policy.  Both policies seek to reduce the agency’s environmental impacts, promote green technologies, and help LA grow green.  By continuing to move forward with these policies, Metro is truly representing the interests of Los Angeles residents and helping our great city become a more sustainable community.