State lawmakers say the move could cut down on competition and make regional transit more efficient for riders.

A proposed Illinois state bill known as the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act would combine three Chicago-area transit agencies — Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and Pace — into one agency, allowing riders to access all three systems with one universal fare. “The Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act is the first part of the Clean and Equitable Transportation Act, with Illinois' goal for the transportation industry 100% carbon-free by 2050,” explains Tara Molina for CBS News.
Proponents of the bill argue that a unified transit system would be “more sustainable, reliable and safe” for its riders and eliminate competition between agencies.
Molina describes the history of the three agencies, which stemmed from the 1974 establishment of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). “The Illinois General Assembly reorganized the structure and funding of the RTA in 1983, with operating responsibilities on three separate service boards – the CTA, and what became Metra and Pace.”
In response to requests for comment, all four agencies expressed openness to the idea of consolidation but emphasized the chronic underfunding that plagues each of them. According to a statement from the CTA, “To attribute the region's challenges to anything other than a funding shortage is to perpetuate a narrative that will – at best – serve as a distraction to the funding crisis we face.”
FULL STORY: Proposed new agency would combine Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, Pace

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Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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