Photo by Angie Torres.

“Green” SOLEA pushing car use

The new SOLEA condo building at 14th and Florida advertises its LEED status, “environmentally-conscious finishes,” heat insulation and walking distance to Metro. But a flyer for the building advertises that every unit comes with parking. Efficiencies start at $250,000 and one bedrooms start at $375,000, but wouldn’t they have been even more affordable and more environmentally conscious without mandatory parking? (Patrick)  (Tip: Patrick)  

Air quality, pshaw!

Big surprise: building a big highway is really bad for air quality. Too bad Maryland is doing just that (and using up 93% of their allowable debt). The good news is, Montgomery County Councilmembers seem to agree that there shouldn’t be any more in the future. How about telling your colleagues in Prince George’s and Fairfax? (WTOP)  

Get your bike commuter benefit, as long as you never ride transit

Even though you can take up to $230 a month of transit tax deduction and $230 a month in parking deduction, if you get the new $20 a month bicycle deduction you aren’t eligible for either. Earl Blumenauer wants to change that, but it’s not the only silly restriction on the new benefit. (TheWashCycle)  

More trains for Virginia

Virginia reached an agreement to run commuter trains to Lynchburg and Richmond (not to Bristol). BeyondDC has a nice map. (Post, Jess H.)  (Tip: Jess H.)  

Can you CNU?

Congress for the New Urbanism announced their “Charter Award” recipients. Local winners included the Crystal City Vision Plan 2050, House Office Buildings Facilities Plan and Preliminary South Capitol Area Plan, and Columbia Heights. (Jaime)  (Tip: jaime)  

Union bus-ting in Fairfax?

A new ATU Local 689 ad (PDF) is fighting Fairfax’s proposed bus cuts. At the same time they’re eliminating service, Fairfax is taking over some Metrobus routes, which will cost the County a lot of money in one-time costs and replace union drivers with non-union.  

States can do anything as long as it’s not for bicycles

House Republican Whip Eric Cantor is criticizing DC for using stimulus funds for SmartBike. Apparently he has no problem giving billions to wealthy bankers, but if SmartBike has even one station in Georgetown, it’s “not stimulative” and worthy of mockery. Bicycle Examiner wonders if Cantor even bothered to look at the program he’s attacking.