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Volpe Center Highlights - March 1999Human and Natural EnvironmentDirector's Notes |
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Human and Natural Environment |
Climate Change Report Completed; Technical Assistance Provided to Argentina (RSPA, EPA) Mr. Kevin Green, of the Transportation Strategic Planning and Analysis Division, completed a report by the DOT Global Climate Change Task Force entitled "A Preliminary Consideration of General Climate Change Policy and Selected Strategies for Transportation in the United States." The report provides an overview of current climate change policy, identifies specific greenhouse gas mitigation strategies for the transportation sector, and makes several administrative recommendations for DOT headquarters. The report is currently being circulated among mid-level managers in each operating administration and is expected to be the primary point of reference for forthcoming discussions by the Department's senior management. In a related effort funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Green is supporting the interagency U.S. Country Studies Program, which assists developing countries with their efforts to quantify and reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Mr. Green recently traveled to Buenos Aires to participate in a bilateral meeting with Argentine government officials to discuss technical issues associated with Argentina's planned adoption of a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. U.S. participation was led by staff from the U.S. Embassy and the Department of State, and included representatives from the EPA, the Department of Energy (DOE), and the United States Department of Agriculture. Mr. Green's presentation addressed models for transportation sector energy demand, transportation technologies, and mitigation policies for the transportation sector. Future work should entail at least one additional trip to Buenos Aires in 1999 to follow up on actions identified during this meeting. One DOT Leadership Conference The ONE DOT Management Strategy seeks to invigorate and integrate the various modes within the U.S. DOT and the transportation sector to address the changing needs of our Nation's transportation system. Dr. Richard John and Ms. Edith Boyden, Chief of the Policy and Technology Analysis Division, attended the ONE DOT Leadership Conference held in Chantilly, VA, to discuss various Departmental flagship initiatives for the next two years, and how best to relate them to the Department's goals and long term strategic planning effort. Also attending were Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater, Deputy Secretary Mortimer Downey, Modal Administrators and their Deputies, and a selected group of senior career civil servants from headquarters and the field. Environmental Remediation Support Provided to EPA Region VIII (EPA) The Volpe Center provides ongoing support to the Region VIII EPA by providing logistics and systems engineering expertise for the removal, transport, and disposal of approximately 40,000 tons of lead and arsenic contaminated soil from 28 residential properties in Stockton, UT. The Volpe Center is assisting the EPA with the identification and utilization of practices and technologies for these activities to protect the environment more fully. As part of this effort, Messrs. Glenn Goulet and John McGuiggin, of the Environmental Engineering Division, participated in a public outreach meeting to present technical information to local residents regarding the environmental studies conducted to date and to discuss future environmental remediation activities. Residents were consulted on the general approach towards the cleanup activities, schedule, and additional coordination requirements. Overall, the information was well received and Stockton residents appeared to understand the need for the emergency cleanup measures. |
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