TOP STORY

Obama Pushes Vision for High-Speed Rail

President Obama yesterday "declared his intention to build a nationwide system of high-speed rail lines in some of the country's most populated corridors," calling upon tranportation administrators to "make no little plans."  The administration has identified ten corridors ranging in length from 100-600 miles (see map below) that will benefit from the $8 billion dedicated to high-speed rail in the stimulus package, and more funds that Obama is requesting in his budget.

What we're talking about is a vision for high-speed rail in America.  Imagine boarding a train in the center of a city.  No racing to an airport and across a terminal, no delays, no sitting on the tarmac, no lost luggage, no taking off your shoes.  (Laughter.)  Imagine whisking through towns at speeds over 100 miles an hour, walking only a few steps to public transportation, and ending up just blocks from your destination.  Imagine what a great project that would be to rebuild America.

Now, all of you know this is not some fanciful, pie-in-the-sky vision of the future.  It is now.  It is happening right now.  It's been happening for decades.  The problem is it's been happening elsewhere, not here.

His remarks also dimissed the concerns of "critics who say the plans are too expensive, don't go far enough, or will shift resources away from the roads and airports." [Washington Post]

[The White House Blog]

Related:

• Craig Canine's feature on high-speed rail around the world, and what's possible here in the U.S. [OnEarth]
• Remarks by the President and Vice President on a Vision for High-Speed Rail in America [WhiteHouse.gov]

SCREENING

Video: In the same Chilean town where 1,500 penguins had washed up a week and a half ago, thousands of dead sardines mysteriously tuned up on beaches.  [National Geographic]

LISTENING PLEASURE

As the arctic ice retreats, new battles over offshore drilling are heating up.  Interior Secretary Ken Salazar went to Alaska's North Slope this week to speak with local residents about plans to drill offshore.  His conclusion: "Alaskans are passionate and divided."   [Morning Edition-NPR]

FROM THE BLOGS

• Forbes: “The best country for business in the world” is one with a very strong carbon cap and a 20% renewable standard for 2011 [ClimateProgress]