Rep. Garamendi Highlights Research on Sustainable Transportation Systems at UC Davis

Statement

Congressman John Garamendi of California's 3rd District and a member of the Safe Climate Caucus spoke on the House floor to highlight efforts in his district at the University of California, Davis to reduce oil dependency and greenhouse gas emissions by researching sustainable transportation systems that are less reliant on carbon fuels, such as gasoline and diesel. The Safe Climate Caucus is a group of Democratic members who highlight the need for action on climate change through daily floor speeches and other activities. Click here to watch Congressman Garamendi's speech and see below for a full transcript:

The world's top scientists have concluded that there really is such a thing as climate change and it poses a very serious threat to humanity. The most recent report came out less than a month ago and concluded that we're in for some very serious troubles ahead unless we are able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, a good deal of which comes from the transportation industry.

The good news is that we as the American public and through this government can rise to the challenge, and communities like the one I represent in Davis, California, are leading the way.

The University of California, Davis has received a cutting edge research grant for the research into transportation systems that are sustainable, that are not relying as much or at all on the carbon fuels gasoline and diesel.

So what are they? Plug-in hybrids, alternative fuels such as advanced biofuels, hydrogen, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, and many other kinds of transportation -- batteries and the like -- are going to be part of this research.

The Department of Transportation asked the University of California, Davis to lead a National Center for Sustainable Transportation. This new consortium will support policymakers as they implement real world strategies to address climate change and other threats.

In other words, by combining research and energy we can move away from the dependence on oil, and particularly foreign oil, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions..

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