Paving the Way for Green, Local Leadership: Doggett Introduces Green Transportation Act to Reduce Pollution & Mitigate Climate Change
***Press Release***
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, July 18, 2019 | Contact: Kate Stotesbery 202-225-4865 |
Paving the Way for Green, Local Leadership: Doggett Introduces Green Transportation Act to Reduce Pollution & Mitigate Climate Change
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee and House Budget Committee Member, along with Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Chair of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, together with several colleagues, introduced the Green Transportation Act. This legislation directs cities and states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, the single largest source of carbon pollution in the United States. Because many parts of the country are not accounting for transportation emissions, this represents an important first step in seeking to reduce pollution by mandating the tracking of emissions and creation of local plans to reduce them, while providing federal support.
"The global climate crisis requires a bold, well-coordinated response," stated Rep. Lloyd Doggett. "Our bill creates a blueprint for homegrown leadership in pollution reduction that will modernize the fossilized thinking that has kept our transportation system hooked on fossil fuels."
"Our climate is in crisis," said Rep. Earl Blumenauer. "With the largest source of carbon emissions coming from our transportation system, all levels of government need to mobilize against this emergency of epic proportions."
"Transportation is now the largest source of carbon pollution in the U.S., and we need to take steps to clean that sector up," said Ann Shikany, Federal Policy Advocate, Natural Resources Defense Council. "This bill ensures states and regions account for emissions reductions in their long-range plans. It's a critical step toward the cleaner transportation system we need."
"We are facing a climate crisis," said EDF Action Vice President for Political Affairs Elizabeth Gore. "This bill will help us deal with the large amount of climate pollution that is produced by cars, trucks, and other forms of transportation. As we work toward a 100 percent clean economy, we need to ensure that climate pollution reductions are a part of the calculus for our infrastructure programs across the states. Rep. Doggett is showing the kind of leadership we need if we are to acknowledge and account for this major threat to our economy, our health, and our children's future."
The Green Transportation Act would require states and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to include greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions in their long-range public transit and highway planning. To support MPOs and states with this effort, the bill allows Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST) Act funding to be used to develop standardized models and methodologies for measuring and monitoring GHG emissions. It also directs the Department of Transportation to create a clearinghouse of these best practices.
Congressmen Doggett and Blumenauer are both active members of the Safe Climate Caucus and the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, and longtime champions of sustainable, green infrastructure.
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