Transportation

Urges International AIDS Society to convene conference in the U.S.

October 30, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Today Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement applauding President Barack Obama’s decision to formally repeal the United States travel and immigration restrictions on people living with HIV, which was published today in the Federal Register.

Congresswoman Lee sent a letter today to the International AIDS Society (IAS) encouraging them to quickly reach a decision regarding the United States as the host nation of the XXIX International AIDS Conference in 2012.    » read more »

10/29/09 -- Today Congressman Tim Bishop made the following statement at a Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on the Problem of Distracted Driving:

It is the responsibility of this committee to ensure that our nation’s roadways are not only up to the task of connecting our communities and promoting commerce, but also with protecting the safety of American’s, both directly and indirectly involved with transportation.    » read more »

Bloomington, IL.– October 30, 2009 – State Farm applauds Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) for sponsoring the Distracted Driving Prevention Act of 2009. The company said this legislation (S. 1938) is a good first step toward addressing the problem of distracted driving and its threat to the lives and safety of millions of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.    » read more »

Cash Flow Turns Positive; North America Profitable

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 2, 2009 – Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] today reported net income of $997 million, or 29 cents per share, in the third quarter as strong new products, structural cost reductions and improved results at Ford Credit lifted the company’s results despite continued weak global economic conditions. This is a $1.2 billion improvement compared with the same period last year.    » read more »

Transit Connect BEV is the first production vehicle from accelerated electric vehicle strategy

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 30 – Ford Motor Company announced today that Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD) has joined in a collaborative effort to deliver a pure battery electric Ford Transit Connect van for the United States and Canadian markets in 2010. Azure will integrate its Force Drive ™ battery electric drive train in the Transit Connect van for commercial fleet and retail use.

The collaboration with Azure Dynamics for the Transit Connect BEV will build on the existing business relationship between Ford and Azure as well as their shared experience with battery supplier, Johnson Controls-Saft.    » read more »

Pilots cited laptops as distraction that caused error

October 30, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The pilots of Northwest Airlines Flight 188, which overshot its destination by 150 miles while carrying 147 passengers from San Diego to Minneapolis last week, have told authorities that they were at least partially distracted by laptop computers in the cockpit.

In the wake of this incident, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that he will introduce “distracted flying” legislation to prohibit the use of non-essential portable electronics in the cockpit.    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- Wilmington, DE -- As part of the of the Administration’s commitment to jumpstarting the production of fuel efficient vehicles in America, Vice President Joe Biden today announced Fisker Automotive is re-opening a shuttered former GM factory in Wilmington, Delaware, to produce long-range, plug-in, electric hybrid vehicles. The Wilmington assembly plant was selected by Fisker Automotive for its primary global production facility based on its size, production capacity; and access to shipping ports, rail lines and skilled workforce.    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- Today’s announcement that auto production will be returning to the old GM’s assembly facility in Wilmington, DE, is an example of how successful partnerships can help transform the American auto industry of the future.

The White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers has worked closely with the state of Delaware, federal agencies and the old GM to help support this successful announcement, and will continue working with states and agencies across the country to support positive economic transitions in auto communities.

Mission of the White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers    » read more »

Tenneco is Fifth Company to Receive Conditional Loan Commitment from DOE’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program

October 27, 2009 -- Washington, DC – The Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it has entered into a $24 million conditional loan commitment with Tenneco Inc. to develop fuel efficient emission control components for advanced technology vehicles.

The loan is part of the Department’s commitment to helping the auto industry meet or exceed President Obama’s tough new fuel economy standards, while helping America regain its competitive edge in world markets.    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- Wilmington, DE – As part of the of the Administration’s commitment to jumpstarting the production of fuel efficient vehicles in America, Vice President Joe Biden today announced Fisker Automotive is re-opening a shuttered former GM factory in Wilmington, Delaware, to produce long-range, plug-in, electric hybrid vehicles.

The Wilmington assembly plant was selected by Fisker Automotive for its primary global production facility based on its size, production capacity; and access to shipping ports, rail lines and skilled workforce.    » read more »

Funds Will Be Used to Improve Hazardous Materials Planning and Training

October 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that it is awarding $20.9 million to states, territories and Native American tribes to improve the nation’s response to transportation incidents involving hazardous materials. The grants will help train first responders to react to incidents involving hazardous materials and to meet the safety challenges posed by new chemicals and alternative energy products such as ethanol.    » read more »

Prevents High-Speed Chase

2009-10-19 -- Detroit, Mich. – GM and OnStar announce the use of OnStar’s Stolen Vehicle Slowdown (SVS) service to help safely recover a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe that was carjacked at gunpoint from a subscriber in Visalia, California. This is the first time that SVS has been activated to help a subscriber in a carjacking situation.

At approximately 3:18 a.m. PDT on Sunday, Oct. 18, Lindsay, California resident Jose Ruiz and his cousin were carjacked by a lone assailant wielding a shotgun. The perpetrator ordered the two men out of the vehicle, robbed them of personal belongings and sped off in the Tahoe.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- DETROIT—A federal indictment was unsealed late yesterday in Detroit charging Xiang Dong Yu, aka Mike Yu, 47, of Beijing, China, with theft of trade secrets, attempted theft of trade secrets and unauthorized access to a protected computer, announced Terrence Berg, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. Yu was arrested on Oct. 14, 2009 at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport upon entering the United States from China. Berg was joined in the announcement by Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- Rep. Louise Slaughter said that a new hearing in Congress on the benefits of high-speed rail demonstrates again that the projects can spark economic growth, new jobs and improved quality of life. Slaughter has been a leader in New York in pushing for creation of a new efficient high speed corridor between Albany and Buffalo and has worked closely with federal, state and local officials to bring the plan to fruition.    » read more »

15 October 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today received a firm commitment from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that the long-awaited Little Rock-Memphis High Speed Rail Study will be started next year.    » read more »