October 14, 2021
- SIERRA CLUB FEDERAL POLICY TEAM *** Sierra Club policy staff and campaign leadership are available to discuss our clean transportation priorities in the Build Back Better Act ***
Clean Transportation
Clean Transportation
Revolutionizing our transportation systems is a crucial piece of Sierra Club's work to ensure we all can live in healthy communities, move around safely, and build a future powered by renewable energy.
What is clean transportation?
We all want to breathe clean air and protect our families from toxic pollution and climate change. Unfortunately, transportation is currently our nation's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and a major source of air pollution. To build a livable future, we must shift away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles and towards clean, renewable transportation.
Right now, Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress want to make it harder to drive clean cars, which will increase how much money you spend at the pump. We can stop them, but we need your help to protect access to public transportation, electric vehicles, and other clean transportation options.
Over the lifetime of the vehicle, a gas car puts out 4.5x more carbon pollution and infinitely more toxic tailpipe air pollution than an electric car.
Why is clean transportation essential?
We all want to breathe clean air and protect our families from toxic pollution and climate change. Unfortunately, transportation is currently our nation's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and a major source of air pollution. To build a livable future, we must shift away from combustion vehicles and towards clean transportation.
Victory!
In a landmark legal win for clean transportation, a federal court has permanently barred the Trump administration from freezing funds for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program – that is, a $5 billion federal initiative to build reliable, high-speed electric vehicle charging stations along America's highways!
The ruling means all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico now have the legal certainty they need to move forward building a nationwide charging network, free from unlawful interference. Sierra Club and partners brought this case on behalf of members who were directly harmed by the freeze.
This is what people power looks like: Sierra Club members standing up to protect clean transportation investment, cleaner air, and better access to affordable electric vehicle driving for everyone.
Press Releases
October 7, 2021
BOSTON, MA - Yesterday, Governor Baker appointed the seven-member Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors, with Betsy Taylor as the new chair. This new, permanent Board of Directors will oversee the MBTA’s finances, operations, governance, and overall management. It replaces the temporary Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) established by the Baker administration following the harsh winter of 2015 that disrupted transit service.
October 1, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the executives of several auto manufacturers, including Toyota, Honda and others, sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi opposing Representative Dan Kildee’s popular amendment, supported by environmental groups, labor unions, and major automakers, to expand the federal electric vehicle tax credit. The group has also launched a digital ad campaign opposing the proposed tax credit.
September 30, 2021
MIDWEST (MI, MN, IL, WI, IN)- Today, the governors of Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana released a joint commitment to medium- and heavy-duty truck electrification through the creation of a Regional Electric Vehicle (REV) Midwest Coalition Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
September 29, 2021
BOSTON, MA - Today, Streetsblog Massachusetts released a story on a newly launched report from the Sierra Club, TransitMatters, and the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy- supported by 14 partner organizations- calling on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), the eighth largest transit agency in the nation, to commit to 100 percent electrification of its transit bus fleet by 2030.
September 28, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Sierra Club President Ramón Cruz will join representatives and supporters from environmental and faith organizations representing millions of people to deliver over 200,000 comments to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt the strongest rule possible for federal clean car standards.
September 15, 2021
NATIONWIDE—Electric vehicles (EVs) will take the spotlight during the 11th annual National Drive Electric Week, with more than 204 in-person and online events in 43 states, as well as Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand, September 25–October 3, 2021. Attendees will have the opportunity to test drive various models of EVs, talk to EV owners, see vehicles on display, and learn about the latest in EV technology.
September 15, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - Early Wednesday morning, after a markup that lasted over 15 hours, House Democrats, led by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio, moved a historic package through committee. The package makes significant investments in cleaning up the transportation sector, a sector responsible for emitting the most climate-disrupting emissions in the nation and contributing to dangerous air quality in communities. Highlights:
September 13, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - On Friday, House Democrats in the Ways and Means Committee unveiled plans for an array of clean energy tax incentives, including new incentives to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in the US.One incentive is a $7,500 point-of-sale consumer rebate, with an additional $4,500 for vehicles assembled by union workers and $500 for vehicles using batteries manufactured in the US. The package also includes a used EV tax credit.
September 10, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, the Biden administration announced an unenforceable target for reducing emissions from airplanes 20 percent by 2030 by using biofuels, which are neither carbon neutral nor sustainable. The announcement includes welcome efforts to spur leadership, research and development, and innovation in the aviation sector. However, it misses the mark on what is needed for real emissions reductions. This is an area of the transportation sector where pollution is increasing but the federal government has failed to act for years.