Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007/Title XI/Subtitle A

by United States Congress

Subtitle A — Department of Transportation

Sec. 1101. Office of Climate Change and Environment.

(a) In General.—

Section 102 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:

‘‘(g) Office of Climate Change and Environment.—

‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.— There is established in the Department an Office of Climate Change and Environment to plan, coordinate, and implement—

‘‘(A) department-wide research, strategies, and actions under the Department's statutory authority to reduce transportation-related energy use and mitigate the effects of climate change; and

‘‘(B) department-wide research strategies and actions to address the impacts of climate change on transportation systems and infrastructure.

‘‘(2) CLEARINGHOUSE.— The Office shall establish a clearinghouse of solutions, including cost-effective congestion reduction approaches, to reduce air pollution and transportation-related energy use and mitigate the effects of climate change.’’.

(b) Coordination.—

The Office of Climate Change and Environment of the Department of Transportation shall coordinate its activities with the United States Global Change Research Program.

(c) Transportation System's Impact on Climate Change and Fuel Efficiency.—

(1) STUDY.—

The Office of Climate Change and Environment, in coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency and in consultation with the United States Global Change Research Program, shall conduct a study to examine the impact of the Nation's transportation system on climate change and the fuel efficiency savings and clean air impacts of major transportation projects, to identify solutions to reduce air pollution and transportation-related energy use and mitigate the effects of climate change, and to examine the potential fuel savings that could result from changes in the current transportation system and through the use of intelligent transportation systems that help businesses and consumers to plan their travel and avoid delays, including Web-based real-time transit information systems, congestion information systems, carpool information systems, parking information systems, freight route management systems, and traffic management systems.

(2) REPORT.—

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report that contains the results of the study required under this section.

(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for the Office of Climate Change and Environment to carry out its duties under section 102(g) of title 49, United States Code (as amended by this Act), such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2008 through 2011.