Stimulate new green behavior

The much ballyhooed stimulus package is a financial goal and a political football.

It is also, we think, an opportunity for transformative change that legislators are only partially capitalizing upon.

Locally, we are happy to report, politicians seem to be channeling dollars into greener, and better projects.

The Puget Sound Regional Council, which coordinates local governments, has approved a priority project list that would allocate $78 million to various roads projects in the Puget Sound, but another $136 million on accelerating light rail projects, purchasing hybrid buses, and building commuter stations.

But compare those figures to the nationwide numbers of $27.5 billion for highways, and $8.4 billion for transit.

We could do so, so much better.

Here at the county line, dollars will be spent on a variety of projects “green” — nearly $60 million on new buses for Metro and Community Transit, nearly $5 million on transit stations in Mountlake Terrace — and otherwise. Included are $1 million for asphalt overlays in Edmonds, and an improved interchange (and pedestrian) project at I-5 and 196th St. SW in Lynnwood.

Spending money now is important for economic stimulation, and tax cuts are obviously helpful for family recovery. But we wish there were more green projects to stimulate.

Roads and repaving might be necessary now, but having to throw good money after bad in this environment is unfortunate. We hope this crisis stimulates not only spending, but serious, smart and sustainable planning.