(Download
in Adobe PDF Format)
September 13, 2005
The Honorable Samuel W. Bodman
Secretary
U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20585
Dear Secretary Bodman:
I write on behalf of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and its 1,500 member organizations to urge you to consider the diesel fuel needs of public transportation providers as you work to mitigate any disruptions in our nation's fuel supply. APTA appreciates and supports the initiatives of the Department of Energy (DOE) and your leadership in addressing potential fuel shortages. We urge the department to prioritize allocations of diesel fuel in a manner that ensures public transit providers receive a sufficient supply of fuel. This is particularly important in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina and its evacuees but it is important around the country as well.
As you know, President Bush has asked all Americans to conserve fuel during this time of tightened supply. Public transportation plays a strategic role in that regard, and its providers require a stable fuel supply to serve their many customers. A study by noted economists Robert J. Shapiro and Kevin A. Hassett, "Conserving Energy and Preserving the Environment: The Role of Public Transportation," demonstrates that public transportation saves more than 855 million gallons of gasoline a year, or 45 million barrels of oil. These savings equal about one month's oil imports from Saudi Arabia and three months of the energy that Americans use to heat, cool and operate their homes, or half the energy to manufacture all computers and electronic equipment in America.
More than 32 million trips are taken each weekday in the United States on public transportation. According to the 2005 Texas Transportation Institute Annual Urban Mobility Report, transit is successfully reducing traffic delays and costs in America's 85 largest urban areas. Without transit, nationwide delays would have increased 27 percent, costing residents in the major urban areas studied an additional $18.2 billion in lost time and fuel. In short, energy savings from public transportation contribute to our national and economic security, and we urge DOE to make certain that transit providers receive a sufficient supply of fuel during these times of scarce fuel supplies.
If you have questions regarding this matter, please have your staff contact Daniel Duff or Rob Healy, of APTA's Government Affairs Department, at (202) 496-4860 or email dduff@apta.com; or (202) 496-4811 or email rhealy@apta.com, respectively.
Sincerely yours,
William
W. Millar
President
WWM/tjj
Some of these pages may include links to documents in the Adobe PDF format. Please download the Adobe PDF reader if you have not already done so.
