Washington Post is shortsighted in its dismissal of high-speed rail: Post 1

from scoutjacobus on flickr

Last week the Washington Post printed an editorial dismissing the need to build high speed rail in the United States (A Lost Cause: The high-speed rail race).  You may recall that I traveled on Spain's impressive high-speed rail system this last summer, which I reported here.  I also responded to an op-ed by Robert J. Samuelson back in November with a 4-part blog series (1, 2, 3, 4) that addressed the issues raised in this op-ed plus some others.

However, I'd like to make even one more point that I think speaks to our need to move aggressively on high speed rail in appropriate corridors.  (I will point out that I do not agree that we should bring high speed rail to 80% of the population of the country, as President Obama has stated.  Rather than set up an arbitrary number like that, we should focus our energies in areas where we can most effectively offset regional air travel.)

from ykanzawa1999 on flickr

A key reason we need to invest in rail is for diversification.  Diversification is an indispensable strategy when it comes to investment portfolios, but for some reason, op-ed writers seem to overlook this important consideration when opining on rail systems.  For decades we have invested in transportation systems that are virtually 100% dependent on petroleum availability to function.  High speed electric rail is not.  Powering trains with electricity allows for fuel flexibility--the energy can come from any source that can generate electric power: coal, solar, wind, nuclear, hydro or whatever.  It is not bound to the price and availability of oil.

Oil is certain to become more expensive and may also become scarcer over the next decade or two, making our existing investments in highways and air travel look like the dot-com boom of the late 90's.  Better to diversify our investments now, since it takes time to get them built and operating--time that we don't really have enough of.

A follow up post addressing another key flaw in their argument will be forthcoming shortly.

Green Building Event at the National Building Museum

You never know who's watching, I guess.  I received this email today:

Dear Mr. Offutt,

Since you often write about green building practices, I think that your readers might be interested in attending the lecture For the Greener Good: Life After Plastic, exploring the future of alternative building products for the construction industry. Please find detailed information about the program below. I hope you will share this information with your readers.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or if I can provide you with additional information.

Stacy Adamson

Marketing and Communications Associate

So taking a look at what she sent, I decided to pass it along.  There's an event called For the Greener Good: Life After Plastic being held at the National Building Museum on February 17 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM.  There is a small registration fee.  Click here for more details and information.

Here's a quick blurb:

As a petroleum based product, many believe that as the price of oil rises, the cost of plastic building materials will rise. What is the future of alternate products for the construction industry?

A discussion with:
Blaine Brownell, Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota School of Architecture
Jay Bolus, VP of Technical Operations, MBDC
Lance Hosey, President and CEO, GreenBlue (moderator)
Robert Peoples, Ph.D.,Director of the ACS Green Chemistry Institute®

Monday What's on the Web: Mr. Energy Czar

Each Monday I highlight other bloggers or web contributors who are making important or interesting contributions to climate, sustainability, transportation or market transformation. Check back each week for another installment.

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Mr. Energy Czar is a YouTube contributor who started posting videos about 10 months ago.  For the last 3-4 years he has been working to prepare his household for what he believes is an upcoming energy crisis that will be spurred by Peak Oil.  Personally I agree with him in the larger sense that there will be large disruptions in our economies as demand for oil outstrips supply during this decade.  Whether or not it will be as severe as he believes it will be only time will tell.

Regardless, his approach to reducing his own personal energy use and what he has learned about reducing one's environmental footprint within our current society and economy is very useful information.  He has done a great job educating himself and--now with these videos--sharing his education with others.


Whether you can take on the comprehensive effort he is undertaking or just start taking some smaller steps toward improving your environmental actions, the information he provides can be very useful.  You don't have to subscribe to his world view to benefit from his knowledge.  And you can use it to improve your own personal circumstances and your contribution towards a cleaner environment.