Dave Gifford – 12/21/06

This page was last updated on December 23, 2006.

Fund mass transit adequately; Dave Gifford, PennEnvironment; Beaver County Times; December 21, 2006.

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“Global warming is the most considerable threat to the environment of Pennsylvania.

“The consequences of unimpeded global warming are dire to the health and welfare of all Pennsylvanians.

“With pollution from the commonwealth’s cars and trucks helping to rank Pennsylvania as the third biggest producer of global warming pollution among all states, steps must be taken towards creating suitable public transportation alternatives.”

[RWC] Note that Mr. Gifford provides no evidence to support his assertion that manmade global warming – if it exists – is a significant contributor to global warming.

Also please read my critique of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial entitled “Greening the capitol.”

“Unfortunately, Pennsylvania’s public transportation systems are in jeopardy because of considerable funding shortfalls from Harrisburg.”

[RWC] No, “Pennsylvania’s public transportation systems are in jeopardy” because they can’t/don’t provide a service at a price consumers are willing to pay. Why on Earth should we throw taxpayer dollars at failing businesses?

“If this trend of inadequate and inconsistent funding continues, cutbacks in service and increases in fares will lead more Pennsylvanians to get back in their cars and only add to global warming.

“In order to combat this deterioration of our public transportation systems and our environment, our public transportation systems must receive adequate funding at the state level.

“PennEnvironment is counting on our elected and appointed leaders in Harrisburg to create a sustainable dedicated funding source for the state’s public transportation systems, enabling these systems to do their part to reduce Pennsylvania’s contributions to global warming.”

[RWC] I have a recommended “dedicated funding source for the state’s public transportation systems” and I believe every bus already has one. It’s called the fare box.

There’s nothing pro-environment about throwing taxpayer dollars at failing businesses.