Posted by Linda H on 8:36:00 AM
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today
participated in a ceremony to sign an agreement to provide $1.55 billion
to the City and County of Honolulu on the island of Oahu to build
Hawaii’s first-ever rail transit system. The project is expected to
shorten commutes in one of the most congested cities in the nation,
provide greater transit options to Oahu’s residents and visitors, and
create tens of thousands of construction-related jobs.
“The Honolulu rail transit project, the first of its kind in
the state, will bring new transit options to the growing region and
create a modern transportation system that is built to last for future
generations,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood. “And though,
sadly, Senator Inouye cannot be here with us today, this agreement is a
testament to his tireless advocacy on behalf of his state and its
people.”
The funding agreement seals the federal commitment to the
project – a 20-mile rail line with 21 rail stations that will connect
riders with key education, employment and activity centers in Honolulu.
The rail corridor encompasses West Oahu, Pearl City, Aloha Stadium,
Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Honolulu International Airport, downtown
Honolulu, and Ala Moana Center, Oahu’s largest shopping center. HART
estimates that the project could generate as many as 10,000 jobs
annually during construction.
“Hawaii’s first rail transit system will be a game-changer
for the region because it will serve nearly 80 percent of Oahu’s total
population, including thousands of workers who commute into Honolulu
every day from West Oahu,” said Administrator Rogoff. “This historic
project will cut commute times west of the city by more than 30 minutes
each way, drastically improving the quality of life for residents who
want to spend less time in their cars, more time with their families,
and enjoy cleaner air.”
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Posted by Linda H on 8:31:00 AM
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday finalized a set
of long-planned rules that put limits on emissions of harmful air
pollutants from industrial boilers and incinerators.
Known as boiler MACT rules, the standards impose the first-ever limits
on emissions for mercury, acid gases and fine particulate matter, or
soot, for boilers and incinerators.
The agency said the rules
would affect about 1 percent of the nation's boilers. It added the rules
would yield public health benefits, preventing 8,100 premature deaths
and 5,100 heart attacks per year beginning in 2015.
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Posted by Linda H on 4:30:00 AM
Apple Needs to Make it in America
