Dark Green News!
High speed rail bill killed in FL hurts environment and cost state billions?
[May 9]
A fiscal and environmental nightmare is happening in Florida. Since Florida Governor Rick Scott canceled plans for eco-friendly high-speed rail service from Tampa to Orlando, the federal government has given the $2 billion dollars originally set aside for Florida to a number of other states to use to implement or improve their local environment by providing high-speed rail service between major metropolitan areas, according to the Huffington Post. Governor Scott had rejected the plan for Florida, claiming concerns that it would obligate the state to pay subsidies for the rail service, in spite of contradictory reports that suggested the speedier service would be profitable in addition to providing a green transportation alternative to all. Way to go, Scott! Some would say he is socially unconscious. He’s like the Freddy Krueger of dark green nightmares for Floridians concerned with protecting the environment.
Undoubtedly, in addition to the potential to be profitable, a lightning-fast rail service between the Tampa Bay area and Orlando would be a green solution to a transportation crisis, given the costs of oil and refined fuels like gasoline. It would save a bundle on fuel prices, cut down on greenhouse emissions, and save time for business and entertainment commuters.
“These projects will put thousands of Americans to work, save hundreds of thousands of hours for American travelers every year, and boost U.S. manufacturing by investing hundreds of millions of dollars in next-generation, American-made locomotives and rail cars,” Vice President Joseph Biden said in a statement.
But, no. Gov. Rick Scott and two other Republican governors (Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Ohio Gov. John Kasich) won’t have it. So the money instead is going to the Northeast to improve rail speed, to the Midwest to expand rail networks, and to California for new trains that will travel in excess of 220 m.p.h. between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The canceled projects leading to the redistribution of funds were previously approved by Democratic governors in those states.
President Barack Obama has said that he hopes to build a high-speed rail network as a hallmark of his presidency. He wants to see at least 80 percent of Americans served by these bullet trains within 25 years. It’s unfortunate to see Republican administrations forgoing the opportunity to embrace not only improved transportation services in the United States but also for green technology that creates jobs and has a positive impact on the environment.
But it’s your loss, Rick Scott. Florida could have been on the fast track to recovery, but you derailed it. Needless to say, others have jumped on that train to green progress with over 90 bids for funds to improve rail service at an estimated request of $10 billion. Guess who is going to be approached for the next opportunity.