NEWS

The transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. There is no time to waste as record amounts of federal taxpayer funds are already flowing to states thanks to the infrastructure law (the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or IIJA).

“The bipartisan infrastructure law is a historic bill and this new rule will ensure it can not only create jobs, rebuild the nation’s crumbling infrastructure and invest in transit but also live up to its promise of helping to combat climate change. We applaud the Administration for taking this necessary and bold action. It is another important step to undoing the harms of the last Administration.

“The climate crisis is not coming. It is here now. And this rule will help meet this moment with the urgency needed.”

With great economic uncertainty throughout our economy and rising gas prices, public transit is more important than ever. Public transit is not only an engine for economic growth and jobs; it is also an important bulwark against our dependence on foreign oil. 

The letters were sent by groups in California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin and urged local officials to spend the funds in a more equitable and sustainable way.The groups stressed the importance of investing in public transit systems. And stated that the transit unlocks freedom of movement and dramatically increases access to opportunity.