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Obama Nominee for DOT Under Secretary of Policy Called 'Outstanding Choice' by DOT Adviser

Rendell aide's reform experience will help president reach goal to cut global warming pollution

WASHINGTON, March 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President Obama's nomination today of Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell's deputy chief of staff Roy Kienitz as the Under Secretary of Policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is an "outstanding choice," according to a DOT adviser.

"Roy Kienitz is change you believe in," said Michael Replogle, a civil engineer, transportation director for Environmental Defense Fund and an adviser to the U.S. Department of Transportation on intelligent transportation systems. "Since transportation represents nearly one-third of greenhouse gas emissions and is the fastest growing source of them, President Obama couldn't have made a more outstanding choice than Roy to help him meet his goal of reducing all global warming pollution to 1990 levels by 2020."

"Roy has a strong understanding of the need for balanced transportation policies that will help protect public health and the environment, while improving mobility and economic development," concluded Replogle. "Roy's wide ranging experience on Capitol Hill, in state government, and as the leader of a non-profit transportation reform coalition - the Surface Transportation Policy Project -- will serve him well as the Under Secretary of Policy at the Department of Transportation. We look forward to working with Roy and the Obama Administration on this year's transportation authorization bill and other policies that help achieve President Obama's commitment to capping U.S. greenhouse gas emissions."

Environmental Defense Fund, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, Environmental Defense Fund has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems. For more information, visit http://www.edf.org/

    CONTACT: Dan Cronin,
    202-572-3354-w
    or 202-251-9549-c,
    dcronin@edf.org

SOURCE Environmental Defense Fund