Emory University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

Emory’s Sustainability Vision calls on the university to be a catalyst for sustainability in the immediate community, the region, and beyond. To fulfill Emory’s commitment to promoting sustainability in our community, Emory has advocated for a number of federal, state, and local policies that support sustainability. Among our advocacy priorities with the Association of American Universities (of which Emory is a member of the Government Relations Steering Committee) is advocating for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. We weighed in as energy research authorization legislation has been considered in the House (which was not optimal), and advocated in support of strong and consistent funding levels both in that bill and in the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. We have been successful in holding Office of Science funding at its FY14 level of $5.1 billion. Later this year, Emory plans to host a sustainability tour for Members of Congress and the Executive Branch to see, first-hand, Emory’s sustainability initiatives.

In addition to the description above, Emory continues to provide leadership in advancing the Clifton Corridor Transit Initiative (CCTI), an 8.7 mile light rail line from the Lindbergh MARTA station, linking to the Clifton Corridor and ultimately extending to the Avondale MARTA station. With over 30,000 employees in the Clifton Corridor, the largest activity center in the metro Atlanta region having no direct access to a MARTA station or the interstate system, the CCTI is critical to the future of this thriving economic area. Emory and MARTA, along with its partners in the CCTMA and other community stakeholders, participated in extensive community outreach and input that concluded in the recommendation of the Locally Preferred Alternative, which was officially adopted by the MARTA board in 2012. Currently, MARTA, in conjunction with other regional partners including the CCTMA, is conducting the Environmental Review & Impact Statement, which could take up to two years to complete. This study will assess various conditions in the Corridor including environmental analysis and mitigation, alignment and cost refinement, station locations/design and other potential impacts and will involve ongoing community outreach and public hearings. Throughout this study, simultaneous efforts to secure funding for the subsequent Preliminary Engineering and Final Design phases as well as construction and operating funds for completion of the rail line will be vigorously pursued. The anticipated timeline for completion of the rail line to the Clifton Corridor is ten years, if funding is available. Emory continues to be actively engaged in advancing the CCTI and potential funding opportunities through consistent involvement in various organizations including local and state chambers of commerce, the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, MARTA and other organizations advocating for transportation alternatives.

The question is not applicable because Emory is a non-profit organization and does not make political contrbutions.