Just a quick note before I go out the door (late already for JazzFest, the sacrifices I must make to save the world {sigh} :^P

Overall electricity use in US is close to 13 Quads (EIA #). .03 Quad goes for transportation electricity today (2004)  That covers NYC subway, BART, DC Metro, every light rail in country, golf carts AND Amtrak's NorthEast Corridor.

The efficiency gain from electrification is so great that it can fit into the current system easily. The annual growth projections for electricity use can fit electrification of transportation in as well.  A recession will slow growth enough, or improved conservation (my retrofit of a 5 story building provided much of the electricity needed for the Canal Streetcar Line).

I kept my steps down to 2 pages, and I tried to appeal to the "practical" side.  The only mention of Peak Oil was my addendum to Hirsch's paper (very oblique way to get it accross for those that dig deeper).  Also I mentioned that "more than half of DC Metro's gasoline savings came from changes in development patterns".  VERY non-threatening to the "American Way of Life" (although "the other TOD" Transportation Orientated Development, is a different way of life).

This is NOT a purist paper, it is an appeal for a change in federal policy ASAP.  I contradict nothing that I believe in, but I do NOT require that others believe as I do to support the policy changes.  

Coalition building requires a broad tent.  I welcome those that want to electrify our freight railroads and build Light Rail so that they will have to contend with fewer 18 wheelers and "others" as they drive their Hummer to work from their McMansion in the far exurbs.  Their votes count to in a democracy.