The Most Efficient Mode of All

Who would have thunk that the most efficient mode of all in terms of energy consumption is Amtrak. But it seems like folks are trying to hide it because I could only find one story to an Op-Ed in the Baltimore Sun about the energy department report.

With energy prices high and likely to go higher in the years ahead, it would make sense for the nation to embrace a transportation policy that puts a premium on energy efficiency. Transportation, along with electrical power generation, is the country's biggest consumer of fossil and renewable fuels. So what is the most fuel-efficient form of transportation available in the U.S. today?

Believe it or not, it's Amtrak. According to a recent study published by the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Amtrak uses less energy per passenger mile than cars, airlines or even subways and commuter rail systems. In fact, the relative disadvantage of commercial airlines and cars is particularly pronounced - both use more than one-fifth more energy per passenger mile than Amtrak's trains.

Now if only the government actually paid attention to its own research.