One issue in the ongoing transition to a clean energy economy will be balancing speed and justice. A possible example of this balancing act could be in the rapid construction of green infrastructure-for example ‘bullet trains’ or solar farms- on Federal "rights-of-way" on the interstate highway system. This sounds like a no-brainer because it avoids many of the usual siting issues associated with NIMBY-ism. Unfortunately, the simplicity vanishes when we consider the historical injustice of the placement of those highways back in the 1950's and '60s. We should not compound that injustice by imposing new burdens on those communities. How to resolve this conundrum? It is good to give early consideration to this future question in order to ensure both the justice and speed we need.

The reading list:

• Dave Roberts (DRVolts) discusses the advantages of using railway R-o-W for power lines
• Yearwood (HipHop Caucus) discuss issues related to Transportation and Mobility Justice
• President Biden works toward Environmental Justice
• Markey introduced EJ Data bill
• Biden supports Harris' Environmental Justice Impact Statement plan
• Bloomberg on Federal money to remove urban highways
• South Korean solar panel and bike path on a highway
• CA struggles with its bullet train plan
• EJ in Federal transportation proposals
• WBUR from 2015: Solar panels on the Mass Pike

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon to safeguard our collective future.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre