LaHood? appeared before the Committee during its second day of hearings on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, a 600 page draft cap-and-trade and energy bill proposed by Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA).

LaHood? pointed to the administration's investment initiative in high speed rail and its efforts to transform the way transportation serves the American people by creating more choices and encouraging less carbon-intensive transportation as evidence of the administration's commitment. "We have long recognized the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels, improving vehicle technologies, and optimizing the transportation network to reduce fuel-wasting activities like idling in traffic," he said.

ASCE is preparing testimony in support of the legislation urging that a significant portion of the revenues from emissions credits be allocated to the Highway Trust Fund and other infrastructure financing. It will be available on ASCE's website shortly.