Here's the audio file (MP3/16.2MB/1:11:12) for this Friday, October 17, 2008, session: Download C1_Nation
The Nation
By Aisha Radford
At the opening concurrent session focusing on national environmental issues, panelists discussed America’s failing infrastructures and the need for more funding to improve water systems, bridges, and transportation systems. Aging infrastructure continues to threaten America’s economy and the quality of life of many of its citizens.
In the 2005 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, the U.S. received an overall grade of D. According to Andrew Herrmann, District 1 Director of the American Society of Civil Engineers, $9.4 billion per year is needed to eliminate bridge infrastructure problems.
Panelists agreed that establishing a plan for long term infrastructure development and maintenance must become a major priority for congressional leaders at federal, state, and local levels. Katherine Baer, Senior Director of Clean Water for American Rivers advocated to “have the Clean Water Act do what it is supposed to do, and be a technology driver.”
Jack Schenendorf, Vice Chairman of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, focused his discussion on the need for America to push towards the development of a world-class transportation system in major metropolitan communities in order to get people out of their cars and into transit systems. “We can’t reduce greenhouse gas and petroleum usage unless we invest in better transportation,” he said.
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