Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC– Today, it was reported that President-elect Joe Biden will nominate Pete Buttigieg to serve as secretary of the Department of Transportation. If confirmed, Buttigieg will be the first openly LGBTQ Cabinet Secretary.
Biden’s commitments to clean transportation have included bold new clean vehicle standards that put us on track to all electric cars, trucks, and buses; providing each American city with more than 100,000 residents with high-quality, zero-emissions public transportation options; investing in infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists; investing in 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations in the next ten years.
In response to the nomination, Gina Coplon-Newfield, Director of Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign, released the following statement:
"Today’s historic news of Pete Buttigieg being the likely nominee for Secretary of the Department of Transportation furthers our high hopes that President-elect Biden will prioritize investment in clean transportation and infrastructure, from public transit to 100% clean vehicles. We urge Buttigieg to act swiftly on these important priorities.
“After four years of failure at the Department of Transportation, the agency will finally have someone who understands the significant effect transportation emissions have on the climate crisis and communities suffering from toxic tailpipe pollution. The Sierra Club looks forward to working with Buttigieg and the Biden Administration on bold and equitable solutions to cutting emissions from the nation’s most polluting sector.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.8 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.