By Dan Klepal

The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill Thursday that, if passed by the Senate, could mean $4.6 million for TARC over the next two years.

The money is intended to be used to defray higher fuel costs and keep fares from rising, expand service or offset other operating costs.

The bill, the Saving Energy Through Transportation Act, would do nothing in the short term to eliminate the need for TARC's 25-cent rate increase, effective Tuesday, or $1 million in service cuts, said Executive Director Barry Barker.

The Transit Authority of River City fare increase and service cuts are intended to deal with a $4 million budget shortfall that is being blamed on higher fuel prices.

Still, Barker hailed the House passage of the bill.

"I wish it were on the president's desk today," he said. "This is exactly the sort of response we've been looking for and hoping for from federal officials."

The $1.7 billion package of grants also increases the federal match for transit authorities buying alternative-fuel buses from 90 percent to 100 percent.

TARC has nine diesel-electric hybrid buses and has three more on order.

The hybrid buses cost about $525,000 each, compared with $325,000 for a standard diesel bus, Barker said.

The bill now heads to the Senate.

"Everyone is paying higher prices at the pump, and that includes our transit agencies," said U.S. Rep. Baron Hill, a Democrat who represents Indiana's 9th District. "The bill is a way for transit agencies to offset these climbing prices without having to charge riders more."

The bill passed the House 322-98.

In a separate action, U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-3rd District, announced that the House Appropriations Committee had approved his request for $6.5 million in funding for several Louisville projects in the fiscal year 2009 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which now heads to the full House for consideration.

"These projects show Louisville's determination to ease our energy crisis and move toward ... independence," Yarmuth said.

The projects include:

McAlpine Locks and Dam, Army Corps of Engineers: $6.27 million to complete construction of a lock and an access bridge to Shippingport Island in the Ohio River.

Energy-efficient lighting, city of Louisville: $200,000 to install solar-powered lights in areas where no electric infrastructure exists.

Energy Conservation Initiative, Louisville Zoo: $150,000 to design and implement energy conservation measures, including green roofs and an environmental education program.

Courier-Journal

6/28/2008