SMART crashes into reality

Editor: SMART’s environmental goals are laudable and supported
by a majority of Sonoma County residents. Years ago, when SMART was
conceived during the pre-recession “bubble,” its cost-benefit ratio
seemed favorable. However, because of subsequent financial upheaval
and the emergence of other means to reduce fossil fuel consumption,
this is no longer the case.
We recall those times when regional governments had adequate
revenue to provide essential services. Back when the SMART sales
tax measure passed, the train’s $590,000,000 cost didn’t appear
excessive to optimistic voters. It now seems a great deal of money
(some estimate SMART now costing over $1 billion) as we learn of
the deep and worsening long term financial hole government is
in.
At SMART’s conception, few would have predicted that widening
Highway 101 (far less stop and go driving) and enormous reductions
in vehicular carbon emissions would reduce our region’s greenhouse
gas production so markedly and rapidly. By 2014-2016, when the
trains are scheduled to begin operation, these other factors
reducing carbon emissions will have already had a great impact.
Thus, even if the community chooses not to spend another dime on a
train system, the environmental goals of SMART can still be
achieved at massively less cost.
All of the congested sections of Highway 101 in Sonoma and Marin
counties will be widened by 2014 through projects already funded.
Driving will be less stressful and more fuel efficient. Low
population growth in our region insures that highway congestion
will remain modest long term. Americans possess a gene for driving
that even successful train systems do not eliminate. Using SMART’s
ridership estimates, the vast majority of regional travel will
remain auto/truck even if SMART becomes fully operational. The real
opportunity to reduce regional carbon emissions will not be through
the modest effect of train travel, but rather by cutting emissions
created by the remaining large number of drivers.
Over the next few years, the carbon footprint of these vehicles
will shrink dramatically. This will result from improved fuel
economy of gasoline engines, proliferation of hybrids, emergence of
electric cars/trucks and use of alternative fuels. Also,
environmentally aware area residents will be willing to reduce
miles driven. Ideas to promote less driving abound. Presently,
county government has resources to help reduce driving. For a
modest additional cost the local governments could provide more
intensive educational and ride share resources for this purpose.
Just as local residents have reduced water use, we can reduce
gasoline consumption. The cost-benefit ratio for these changes is
extremely favorable.
SMART, already remarkably expensive, will require hundreds of
millions of additional dollars beyond budget, at a time regional
governments face unprecedented financial stress. SMART campaigns
for more revenue may “squeeze out” more deserving public services
and projects. Imagine how welcome hundreds of millions more dollars
would be for schools, public safety departments, medical care
facilities, infrastructure restoration, etc. Just consider recent
headlines concerning revenue shortfalls in these areas.
We feel it is desirable to shift funds already earmarked for
SMART to other critical public needs, but fear this may not be
possible. However, voters should be reluctant to provide additional
resources for SMART. Inadequate revenue will prompt all levels of
government to seek increased taxes and fees. Citizens, anxious
about personal finances, may resist. Some worthy revenue measures
will fail at the ballot, and elected officials will be wary of
asking voters for more dollars. Thus, SMART should go to the back
of the line so that more deserving government departments have a
fair chance with voters and politicians. Hopefully, all of us will
do a responsible job ranking the various revenue initiatives. We
suggest supporting the most vital, threatened community services
first-ahead of SMART.
This effort to protect the environment without the extreme
expense of SMART is an exciting form of civic action-something all
of us can share in. Feels like the 60’s again!
Bob and Nancy Combs
Healdsburg