Gabby Brown, 202-495-3051, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org
Josh Tulkin, 650-722-3171, josh.tulkin@mdsierra.org
David Smedick, (443) 789-4536, david.smedick@mdsierra.org
Annapolis, MD -- The Maryland House of Delegates joined the Senate in passing the Maryland Metro/Transit Funding Act of 2018 today. The bill provides $167 million of annual dedicated funding to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metro system, secures much-needed additional funds for the Maryland Transit Administration and the Baltimore region, and requires additional planning for central Maryland’s transportation future. According to the Washington Post, the compromise is supported by Governor Hogan.
After his first year on the job as General Manager of Metro and experiencing the challenges facing the system first-hand, Paul Wiedefeld raised the need for a new funding system from the regional jurisdictions -- an injection of $500 million in annual dedicated funding. Virginia and the District of Columbia have secured their share of the $500 million, and this action from the Maryland General Assembly will help ensure that the WMATA Metro can function effectively.
The transportation sector is now the largest source of dangerous climate-disrupting pollution in the country and is a large contributor of other harmful pollution like nitrogen oxides, which can be limited by expanding public transportation.
In response, Josh Tulkin, Director of the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club, released the following statement:
“This is a big victory for Maryland’s transportation needs and for climate action. We applaud the Maryland General Assembly for supporting public transportation by passing the Maryland Metro/Transit Funding Act. Pollution from motor fuels accounts for nearly one third of Maryland’s climate pollution. Meanwhile, WMATA Metro is responsible for saving over 40 million gallons of fuel each year, helping us breathe easier and fight climate disruption. This is a win-win bill that will help make sure people can get to work and school via clean public transit.
“Additionally, we are very happy to see this bill include support for the Baltimore-area transit system, especially in the wake of the recent metro system closure for the city. Our transportation solutions must reflect a more equitable future, and, while more work is needed to get there, this bill is a step in the right direction. We look forward to seeing this bill get to the governor’s desk for his signature.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.