Green Transportation Infrastructure Research and Technology Transfer Act

Bill: 110-hr-5161
Sponsor: Rep. Wu, David [D-OR-1]
Introduced: 2008-01-29 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Air pollution control
Aquifers
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Emergency Management
Energy conservation
Environmental Protection
Environmental research
Environmental technology
Federal aid to education
Federal aid to research
Floodplains
Floods
Higher education
Housing and Community Development
Infrastructure
Landforms
Minorities
Native Americans
Nature conservation
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Research and development
Research centers
Restoration ecology
Revegetation
Road construction
Science, Technology, Communications
Technological innovations
Technology transfer
Transportation engineering
Transportation research
Water Resources Development
Water purification
Water storage
Water supply
Wetlands

Summary:
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: 
Green Transportation Infrastructure Research and Technology Transfer Act - Amends federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to make grants to nonprofit institutions of higher learning or consortia to establish and operate regional university transportation centers to carry out green transportation infrastructure research and development (R&D) and technology transfer activities.
 
Directs the National Highway Institute of the Federal Highway Administration to continually develop courses relating to the application of emerging technologies for, among other things, the use of green transportation infrastructure for environmental protection and mitigating environmental impacts of transportation construction.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to make grants under a local technical assistance program to assist rural, local transportation agencies and tribal governments to develop and expand expertise in road and transportation areas, including options with respect to green transportation infrastructure.

action_date: 2008-04-10
text: 
Green Transportation Infrastructure Research and Technology Transfer Act - (Sec. 3) Amends federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to existing university transportation centers, or to consortia consisting of such a center and one or more institutions of higher education, to carry out green transportation infrastructure research and development and technology transfer activities.
 
Defines &quot;green transportation infrastructure&quot; as infrastructure that: (1) preserves and restores natural processes, landforms (such as floodplains), natural vegetated stream side buffers, wetlands, or other topographical features that can slow, filter, and naturally store stormwater runoff and floodwaters for future water supply and recharge of natural aquifers; (2) uses natural design techniques to manage stormwater; and (3) minimizes lifecycle energy consumption and air pollution.
 
Requires grant recipients to be selected on a merit-reviewed competitive basis according to specified criteria, including demonstrated expertise in transportation and green infrastructure research and technology transfer resources.
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2010.
 
(Sec. 4) Directs the National Highway Institute of the Federal Highway Administration to continually develop courses relating to the application of emerging technologies for the use of green transportation infrastructure for environmental protection and mitigating environmental impacts of transportation construction.
 
Adds green transportation infrastructure options as a road and transportation area for which the Secretary may make local technical assistance program grants to assist rural, local transportation agencies and tribal governments to develop and expand their expertise.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 110-576, Part I.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 110-576, Part I.
action_date: 2008-02-27
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2008-02-27
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-02-07
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2008-02-07
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-02-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation.
action_date: 2008-02-01
text: Hearing Held by Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation Prior to Introduction and Referral (05/10/2007).
action_date: 2008-01-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2008-01-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Science and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Science and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Science and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Introduced in House