Ten Solutions to Reduce our Oil Addiction that are Feasible, Healthy, and Sustainable

by the Congress for the New Urbanism

1. An immediate and permanent moratorium on all new major road construction and expansions.

2. An immediate and permanent moratorium on all new airport construction and expansions, as well as an end to all aviation subsidies. In addition, an end to oil industry subsidies.

3. A huge increase in funding for Amtrak and therapid construction of a nationwide new train network across America connecting every city, town, and neighborhood with an efficient, state-of-the-art electric train network comparable to what is currently operating all across Europe and Japan. This should be built to transport both passengers and all the cargo now moved by very inefficient trucks.

4. The rapid tripling of minimum vehicle miles per gallon standards for all vehicles produced in America- accomplished by a quick and complete conversion of all automobile factories to the building of only hybrid, solar,and fully electric vehicles.

5. An immediate moratorium on the construction of any new coal fired or nuclear power generating plants.

6. The rapid construction of massive new solar and wind power generating capacity all across America, including neighborhood scale andsmall wind turbinesthat can be incorporated inconspicuously into the roofs of buildings. Also, the immediate installation of new hydropower generatingcapacity in the form ofcoastalwave and tidalenergy capture.

7. Therapid installation of full roof solar panels on every building in America.

8. An immediate moratorium on the building of any additional sprawl (which deepens auto/oil dependence).

9. A major focus of federal, state, and local governments on the revitalization and densificationof all existing cities and towns across America into walkable, mixed-use communities, with pedestrians and bicycles given top priority over automobiles, and a serious focus on bicycles and trains as the major forms of transportation. Included would be millions of affordable housing units and high quality neighborhood schools located so all children can walk or bike to them.

10. The rapid installation of major organic farmsat the edge of every city and town across America. In addition to this, therapid planting of millions of trees across America.

From Congress for New Urbanism website, www.cnu.org, 2006.