Trip Reduction's Twilight
Transportation Committees in both houses of New Jersey's Legislature approved bills (S.53 and A.1491) last week that would eliminate NJ's commuter trip reduction rules. Though President Clinton signed a bill in December releasing smoggy states from Clean Air Act Employer Trip Reduction requirements (as long as states with problems are able to achieve equivalent emissions reductions), the federal program remains in effect until state legislatures change the state laws that "enabled" it. Assembly and Senate leaders want the program to be voluntary, but admit that new businesses are unlikely to participate without any mandate. The Assembly bill includes tax incentives for employers who voluntarily run programs to reduce car commuting. NJ Environmental Lobby defended a mandatory program to Assembly members, arguing the program fostered workplace acceptance of compressed work weeks, vanpooling and telecommuting.NY State legislators also want to dismantle their state's Employee Commute Options program. A bill (A-9091) to repeal NY's ECO program passed the Transportation Committee this week.
