HR 5161 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide for the establishment of Green Transportation Infrastructure Research and Technology Transfer Centers, and for other purpose.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

January 29, 2008

Mr. WU introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Science and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide for the establishment of Green Transportation Infrastructure Research and Technology Transfer Centers, and for other purpose.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Green Transportation Infrastructure Research and Technology Transfer Act'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Transportation infrastructure contributes to the pollution of surface and ground water because it is comprised of impervious surfaces that concentrate contaminants which are introduced into the water supply during storms.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Scientists and engineers have developed numerous technologies that can be incorporated into transportation infrastructure which control stormwater and mitigate nonpoint source water pollution.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) There has not been widespread implementation of green transportation infrastructure by governments or private industry because of technical, regulatory, and social barriers, such as lack of training and awareness for builders.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The Federal Highway Administration, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency, has the technical expertise and capacity to promote the use of green transportation infrastructure technologies by State and local governments and private industry through education and outreach and technical assistance programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. REGIONAL GREEN TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH CENTERS.

(a) Establishment- Subchapter I of chapter 55 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 5505 following new section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`SEC. 5505A. REGIONAL GREEN TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH CENTERS.

`(a) Green Transportation Infrastructure Research and Technology Transfer- The Secretary of Transportation shall make grants to nonprofit institutions of higher learning or consortia thereof to establish and operate university transportation centers to carry out research and development and technology transfer activities in the field of green transportation infrastructure.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Objectives- The purpose of Centers established pursuant to this section shall be to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) generate innovative and cost-effective approaches to mitigating environmental impacts throughout the lifecycle of transportation infrastructure;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) develop holistic approaches to integrating green infrastructure into existing wastewater management systems;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) promote adoption of innovative green transportation infrastructure systems by State and local governments and the private sector; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) manage technology transfer programs to disseminate information on best management practices in the area of green transportation infrastructure to State and local governments and the private sector.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Selection of Grant Recipients-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) APPLICATIONS- In order to be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a nonprofit institution of higher learning or consortia thereof shall submit to the Secretary an application that is in such form and contains such information as the Secretary may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) MERIT REVIEW; PRIORITY- Grants shall be awarded under this section on a merit-reviewed competitive basis.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) REGIONAL CENTERS- To the greatest extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that there is at least one grant recipient from each of the 10 United States Government regions that comprise the Standard Federal Regional Boundary System.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) SELECTION CRITERIA- Except as otherwise provided by this section, the Secretary shall select each recipient of a grant under this section through a merit-reviewed competitive process on the basis of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) Demonstrated expertise in transportation research and environmental impacts of transportation infrastructure.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) Demonstrated research capacity and technology transfer resources.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) Existing or proposed partnerships with State and local governments and private industry involved in transportation-related construction, environmental impact mitigation, or other areas related to green transportation infrastructure research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) Capability to provide leadership in developing national best management practices, regional best management practices, or both in the field of green transportation infrastructure.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) Expertise in specific regional climate characteristics which impact the effectiveness of green transportation infrastructure technologies and practices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(F) Demonstrated ability to disseminate results of research and education programs through a statewide or regionwide continuing education program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(G) The strategic plan the recipient proposes to carry out under the grant.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Activities- The types of activities the Secretary may support under this section include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) Research and development of innovative technologies, construction techniques, or best management processes that mitigate the environmental impact of transportation infrastructure, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) assessments of the lifecycle environmental impact of local existing or planned transportation infrastructure;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) integration of green transportation infrastructure elements into existing transportation or waste management systems; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) research, development, testing, and evaluation of new technologies or best management practices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) Establishment and operation of a regional technology transfer program to disseminate information on new technologies and best management practices to State and local governments, institutions of higher learning, and private industry in the region.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) Study of the impact of State, local, and Federal regulations on the implementation of green transportation infrastructure technologies and practices. These studies shall include collaboration with appropriate Federal agencies to evaluate the effect of and possible changes to Federal and State regulations that impede implementation of green transportation infrastructure.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) Public education campaigns to raise awareness of the benefits of green transportation infrastructure technologies, including activities to raise awareness and foster collaboration among regional governments, private industry, and other public and private stakeholders.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Annual Meeting- The Secretary shall convene an annual meeting of the Centers established pursuant to this section in order to foster collaboration and communication among Center participants and disseminate best management practices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(g) Definition- In this section, the term `green transportation infrastructure' includes infrastructure that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) preserves and restores natural processes, landforms (such as floodplains), natural vegetated stream side buffers, wetlands, or other topographical features that can slow, filter, and naturally store stormwater runoff and floodwaters for future water supply and recharge of natural aquifers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) utilizes natural design techniques that infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate, and detain water close to its source;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) minimizes the use of impervious surfaces in order to slow or infiltrate precipitation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) minimizes lifecycle energy consumption, including during construction, maintenance, use by vehicles, and destruction and recycling; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) minimizes lifecycle air pollution.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Conforming Amendment- The table of sections for such subchapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 5505 the following new item:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`5505A. Regional Green Transportation Research Centers.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. GREEN TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AMENDMENTS.

Section 504 of title 23, United States Code, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a)(3)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subparagraph (A)(ii)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking `and' at the end of subclause (V);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by striking the period at the end of subclause (VI); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) by adding at the end the following new subclause:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(VII) the use of green transportation infrastructure (as defined in section 5505A(g) of title 49) for environmental protection and mitigating environmental impacts of transportation construction.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION- The Institute shall coordinate the development of curriculum and courses with other Federal agencies with expertise in the course subject areas.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (b)(2)(A)(i) by striking `and traffic safety countermeasures' and inserting `traffic safety countermeasures, and options with respect to green transportation infrastructure (as defined in section 5505A(g) of title 49)'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink