Prepared Remarks for Secretary LaHood
National Energy Summit
Washington, D.C. - September 23, 2009

I want to thank the Council’s distinguished members and stakeholders for the thought and care they’ve taken to identify innovative ways to help our nation address the energy security, sustainability, and economic competitiveness challenges we face.

My Department is committed to ensuring that transportation is part of the solution.

The transportation sector currently accounts for just under a third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, more than half of nitrogen oxide emissions, and almost three-quarters of our petroleum consumption.

We need to change that profile – and soon.

But making transportation sustainable is not the work of a day – and we cannot go it alone.

Congress needs to pass comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation.

We’ll also work with Congress to pass a transformational surface transportation reauthorization that’s focused on reducing carbon emissions and reducing our dependence on oil.

This will give the transportation sector the flexibility to work out the best combination of new technologies, new energy sources, and better operating procedures to efficiently and effectively reduce emissions while meeting the transportation needs of all Americans.

Meanwhile, as we work with Congress on those important efforts, our department is engaged on this issue on several fronts, alongside other federal departments and the White House.

As you may know, in July and August, car dealers around the country saw an extraordinary surge in sales, thanks to our Cash for Clunkers program.

This program was wildly successful.

Nearly 700,000 vehicles were rung up in sales, boosting consumer spending for the third quarter.

And importantly, the CARS program generated a 60 percent improvement in fuel economy, based on the vehicles traded in.

Looking ahead, EPA Secretary Lisa Jackson and I have announced a proposed rule setting aggressive new fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for cars and light-duty trucks.

This follows up on President Obama’s promise to begin reducing our long-standing dependence on oil and preserving our environment for future generations.

The proposed standards for model years 2012 through 2016 would conserve 1.8 billion barrels of oil, save the average consumer more than 3,000 dollars in fuel costs, and increase fuel economy by roughly five percent a year.

And it’s important to note, we’d achieve these benefits without sacrificing consumer choice.

We believe this is an important and historic step toward an efficient, clean-energy future for our country.

An equally important challenge we face is reducing the energy required to move people and goods around the country – while also improving mobility, safety, and efficiency.

We’re tackling this in several ways.

On the consumer side, we’ve teamed up with HUD and EPA to create a sustainability partnership that will better coordinate and direct federal investments in transportation, housing, improved air quality, and water infrastructure across the country.

This is essential for ensuring that Americans have more transportation options; affordable housing choices near transit; and greater access to jobs, education, health care, and other vital services.

This approach will undoubtedly help to reduce our carbon footprint and control urban sprawl.

At the same time, through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, and with Congress’ help, we’re revitalizing Amtrak and making historic investments in new high-speed, inter-city passenger rail service in key corridors around the country.

In addition, for the first time in DOT history, we’re making 1.5 billion dollars in Recovery Act funds available for creative, intermodal projects that promote livability and sustainability in cities and towns across America.

Hundreds of innovative proposals are under review right now.

Taken together, these efforts will, over time, produce a profound, strategic shift in our commuting and travel patterns – with far greater emphasis on public transportation than this country has seen in more than half a century.

On the commercial side, we’re taking a hard look at the best way to prioritize freight movement, in order to maximize cost and energy efficiencies and improve safety.

For example, we’re looking at ways to move more cargo off of trucks and onto barges traveling on our under-utilized marine highway system, wherever it makes sense to do so.

Our bottom line is clear.

We need to keep our economy moving, and keep America growing and innovating – but we’ve got to find new ways of doing it.

We need to make the changes and investments in our transportation infrastructure that will put us firmly in control of our own destiny – especially when it comes to energy.

We’re talking about transforming this country in ways we have not considered in a very long time.

But we have no choice. Our ability to compete and sustain our quality of life depends on it.

Working with Congress, and with all of you, I’m confident we can achieve our goals.

Thank you.