DC Region Will Benefit from Obama Support for Smart Growth
Coalition for Smarter Growth
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Contact:
June 16, 2009 Stewart Schwartz, 703-599-6437
Obama Administration Announces National Commitment to Smarter Growth
Senators Express Support
Washington DC Region Poised to Be a National Model
Federal Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and EPA Chiefs Jointly Testify on Capital Hill to Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee
The Coalition for Smarter Growth cheered today’s testimony by the Obama Administration announcing a Partnership for Sustainable Communities tying together energy efficient housing, clean water, and transportation policies to support more sustainable development around the country.
“The Obama Administration testimony today is groundbreaking and promises transformation in the infrastructure investment policies of our nation,” said Stewart Schwartz Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth. “The Coalition for Smarter Growth has worked for 12 years to promote smart growth policies in the Washington DC region and as a result we are well situated to be a national model. Our region must take advantage of this shift in federal policy.”
Since the 2005 Reality Check conference organized by the Coalition for Smarter Growth and its business and government partners in the Smart Growth Alliance and Urban Land Institute, decision makers in our region have been shifting priorities – with a stronger focus on transit, transit-oriented development, green buildings, fighting climate change and reducing pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Today’s testimony indicates that the Federal government is willing to support this more sustainable approach in the DC region and other Metropolitan regions around the country.
Secretary Ray LaHood of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Secretary Shaun Donovan of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Administrator Lisa Jackson of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency testified today to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs, announcing a common commitment to sustainable development. Virginia Senator Mark Warner, a member of the committee, attended today’s hearing. Links to today’s testimony:
The Honorable Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency
The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation
The Honorable Shaun Donovan, Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The following link to Smart Growth America’s press release includes additional information and comment on today’s testimony:
http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/newsroom/061609_EPADOTHUD_presser.pdf
“With our nation facing huge financial strains, we need to use existing resources more wisely, and that’s just what can happen with this integrated approach,” said Schwartz. “Whether it is the redesign of Tysons Corner, the Purple Line, development at the 15 underutilized Metro stations in Prince George’s County, or revitalization of commercial corridors like a Route 1 in College Park and Fairfax or Route 234 in Manassas, the new federal approach could ensure that we combine revitalization with transit investment, repair and replacement of aging water and sewer systems, and preservation, enhancement and energy efficiency retrofits of a broad mix of housing. The result will be smarter land use, a cleaner environment, and more efficient use of our tax dollars.”
For more about the Coalition for Smarter Growth go to www.smartergrowth.net
Also see Smart Growth America at www.smartgrowthamerica.org
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