Transit - Good for the environment?

We have heard much, particularly in the Triangle, recently about transit. The NC General Assembly has passed legislation that will allow the Triangle counties (Wake, Durham, and Orange) to increase sales tax by one/half cent per dollar to provide for light rail and bus service. Many of us in the environmental community were in favor of the enabling legislation. The next step is for the county commission to place a transit and tax proposal on the ballot (during a regular election) and for the people to approve the proposal. Many people assume that all of us in the environmental community will support the adoption of the tax and the transit enhancements. Maybe… but maybe not.

Public transportation does offer advantages over cars. The light rail and even the bus will produce far less pollution and green house gases than cars (per passenger mile). Less oil will be imported.

However, the savings from public transportation only works if people use it. To clean the air people must stop driving their car and start using the transportation for at least some of their travel. Will they?

If there were no cost to the proposal, it would be a no-brainer. But it does cost money. Would it be better to use this money to provide incentives for other forms of energy conservation?

In coming posts on Conserve NC we will look at some of the details of the transit options and how they will benefit the environment.

Sierra Club Slient Auction and Wine Tasting

I look forward to seeing everyone Sat October 17 from 5:30pm-9pm at Cafe Helios, located at 413 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, for The Capital Group Sierra Club's Silent Auction and Wine Tasting! Twenty dollars at the door gets you fun, food, wine, prizes, and the chance to bid on great local products and services.

All proceeds will benefit the Capital Group's Inner City Outings program. RSVP today at www.nc.sierraclub.org/capital/auction/rsvp.asp to support our local inner city children and enable them to experience nature and the Great Outdoors.

Please bring cash or checks only, as we are unable to accept credit cards.

The Sierra Club still needs help the day of the auction! If you're interested in volunteering to help the day of the event, please contact Sharon Hazouri at vicechair-cg@sierraclub-nc.org.