Encouraging Green, Local Leadership: Doggett Green Transportation Act Works to Reduce Pollution

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), with Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), led a group of 20 lawmakers to introduce the Green Transportation Act. This legislation directs cities and states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. This sector represents the single largest source of carbon pollution in the United States, which makes tracking and reducing those emissions an urgent priority in mitigating the climate crisis. Because many parts of the country are not accounting for transportation emissions, this represents an important step in working to reduce pollution by mandating the tracking of emissions and creation of local implementation plans. The bill would help deliver President Biden's goal of reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030.

"The global climate crisis requires a bold, well-coordinated response," said Rep. Lloyd Doggett. "Our bill creates a blueprint for homegrown leadership to reduce pollution and modernize the fossilized thinking that has dominated our transportation system. This bill encourages local leaders to strengthen our roadmaps to combat climate change, while providing federal resources to support their efforts."

"There is no denying we are in the midst of a climate emergency. The impacts of which will only become more severe without swift, bold action," said Rep. Blumenauer. "Our transportation system, which accounts for the largest source of carbon emissions, presents a unique opportunity to transition towards cleaner, more sustainable options. The Green Transportation Act sets the table to begin the mobilization at every level of government needed to accomplish this objective."

"Reducing the enormous amount of greenhouse gas pollution produced by cars, trucks, and other forms of transportation is a critical part of the fight against climate change," said Elizabeth Gore, Vice President for Political Affairs at the Environmental Defense Fund. "As we work to transition to a zero-emission transportation system, we need state infrastructure programs to include achievement of significant climate pollution reductions as an essential part of their planning process. This bill will help that happen. With this legislation, Rep. Doggett and Rep. Blumenauer are showing the kind of leadership we need to address climate change, renew our infrastructure and support healthier communities."

The Green Transportation Act would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to work with EPA to establish national goals and performance measures for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Using these national performance measures as a guide, states and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) would then establish their own GHG reduction targets 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 and directs the Department of Transportation to create a clearinghouse of these best practices.

To ensure states and MPOs are meeting their emissions reduction goals, DOT will annually evaluate carbon dioxide emissions per capita on public roads in each State and issue an accompanying progress report. States that achieve the most significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions will receive additional flexibility in how they can spend carbon pollution reduction apportionment program funding. States making the least progress in emissions reduction are required to dedicate additional Federal funds to projects that will reduce emissions.

This bill was endorsed by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Union of Concerned Scientists, and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI). 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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