California's Future High Speed Rail

On November 4, Californians voted in favor of a new high speed rail system that will carry passengers the 800 miles from Sacramento to San Diego. Since California is the 12th largest producer of greenhouse gases in the world, according to the High Speed Rail Authority, and transportation accounts for 41 percent of those emissions, this news is very exciting.

The High Speed Rail Authority states that the trains will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12 billion pounds a year, will create 450,000 jobs, and will reduce dependence on foreign oil by 12.7 million barrels a year. The high speed trains will use 1/3 the energy of air travel and 1/5 the energy of car travel. Construction is set for 2011.

Those opposed to the train are suspicious of the energy savings and fear that taxpayers will pay more than has been estimated. But removing cars from the congested highways of California's cities and offering a quick and more environmentally-friendly alternative to flying can only bring positive change. Even if the results aren't as great as the estimates, California, and the planet, are ultimately going to benefit from this project. I can't wait until high speed trains come to more parts of the country.

via Inhabitat