Volume 157, No. 141 covering the 1st Session of the 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“HONORING THE INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORTATION STUDIES AT UC DAVIS OF DAVIS, CALIFORNIA” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1679 on Sept. 21, 2011.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORTATION STUDIES AT UC DAVIS OF DAVIS,
CALIFORNIA
______
HON. MIKE THOMPSON
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Institute of Transportation Studies
(ITS) at the University of California, Davis. ITS-Davis is the world's leading university research center on sustainable transportation. Through research, education, outreach, and the use of advanced models and analytical techniques, the Institute develops business and public-
policy strategies for a healthy transportation future.
When ITS-Davis was established in 1991, alternative fuels and vehicles were nowhere near commercial reality. California's Zero Emission Vehicle mandate had just been adopted. Hybrid cars were the stuff of dreams.
Founding director Dr. Daniel Sperling, a UC Davis engineering professor, wanted to build an academic institute where several academic worlds--engineering, social science and public policy--would merge; where modelers and lab technicians shared ideas with consumer-behavior and marketing experts; and where academia engaged with industry and government to craft creative real-world solutions to help transport people and goods to make the world a better place.
Today, the Institute is the world's leading university center on sustainable transportation. It has more than 60 affiliated faculty and researchers, 125 graduate students, and $12 million in annual research funding. ITS-Davis has redefined transportation research with its unique multidisciplinary approach encompassing transportation technology, fuels, basic science, human behavior and public policy.
At the core of ITS-Davis' success are its strong partnerships with the automobile and energy industries; governments here and abroad; and the environmental community. Together they integrate research with university and public education, for the benefit of all of us.
The Institute has been an innovative and inspirational leader in helping California and the nation envision, develop and implement pioneering public activities that unite transportation stakeholders in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Those include: California's Assembly Bill 1493, which required rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light-duty trucks (2002); the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB32), which set goals to cut emissions statewide to 1990 levels by 2020; the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (2007); the Sustainable Communities Planning Act (SB 375), intended to reduce the vehicle miles an average family travels (2008); the Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Research Roadmap (2011); and the U.S. Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which is now nearing completion.
Throughout, the Institute has been an essential partner to our federal agencies, working on cleaner systems, fuels and vehicles with scientists and policy planners at the U.S. Departments of Transportation, Energy and Agriculture, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
We also benefit from the Institute's work as forum leader and collaboration builder. Earlier this month, ITS-Davis hosted the 13th biennial Asilomar Conference for the U.S. Transportation Research Board of the National Academies. This is the highest-caliber international conference dedicated to transportation-sector energy issues. The Asilomar meeting exemplifies how the Institute's inclusive approach creates the basis for constructive long-term dialogue.
Our country's transportation future shows great promise, in part because of what ITS-Davis has accomplished over the past 20 years. After 100 years of reliance on the internal combustion engine, today we see hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles everywhere, with plug-in electric vehicles coming up fast. On the horizon are vehicles powered by biofuels, electric batteries and hydrogen; intelligently planned cities where walking replaces driving; and transit networks that let us travel between communities quickly and cleanly.
Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time for us to congratulate and thank the faculty, students, staff and supporters of the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Davis, who have done so much to ensure that our transportation options are sustainable and secure. We wish them continued success in their second 20 years.
____________________
Alerts Sign-up