Tell the Senate: Don't short-change transportation!

The Senate is on the cusp of unveiling new climate change legislation. It's welcome news, but there's a hitch. Right now, it looks likely that the bill won't include a real plan to reduce emissions from transportation.

The U.S. transportation sector accounts for one third of our greenhouse gas emissions and 70% of our oil usage. For the climate change bill to work, it must include a solid plan for clean transportation options.

Fill out the form below to tell your Senators to make sure the climate bill includes investments in clean transportation options.

May 24, 2013

Subject:

Dear Senator,

I’m writing to urge you to make sure that upcoming comprehensive climate legislation passes - with adequate funding for clean transportation options. While I strongly support action on climate change, I’m concerned that without investments in clean transportation infrastructure and technology, the legislation may not sufficiently reduce transportation emission or oil.

As you know, transportation accounts for nearly 30 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and consumes 70 percent of the 20 million barrels of oil that Americans use every day.

The EPA has calculated that a comprehensive set of strategies can reduce transportation emissions by 26 to 40 percent and oil consumption by 4 to 7 million barrels per day in 2030. Travel efficiency measures - such as high-speed rail, mass transit, and intermodal freight - are an essential component of those strategies. In fact, the EPA finds that travel efficiency measures alone can reduce transportation emissions by 16 percent in 2030.

In order to transform the transportation sector, meet greenhouse gas reduction goals and reduce our dependence on oil, I request that the climate bill include the following:

>> Legislative language that directs states and Metropolitan Planning Organizations to set goals for reducing oil use and greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and to establish plans to meet those goals (for example, Sections 112 and 113 of S. 1733).

>>Performance-based funding for states and regions to help them establish the plans and to build clean transportation projects.

Travel efficiency measures alone will not solve the climate problem. However, I believe that climate legislation cannot be successful if it does not provide clean transportation options for Americans. I urge you to insist that robust investments in clean transportation options are included in this bill, and hope that you’ll help move us toward a cleaner, more independent energy future.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

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