Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee took up the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act 2021.
This bill represents an opportunity to provide an initial down payment on the Biden administration’s American Jobs Plan.
In response, Will Anderson, Associate Director of Legislative/ Administrative Advocacy for Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign, released the following statement:
“The Sierra Club thanks Senate Democrats for passing the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, which is a noteworthy start, but much, much more is needed to act on climate and fund the transformative change needed in our transportation systems. We need major investments to truly address the climate crisis on the scale both necessary and which President Biden laid out in his American Jobs Plan. We need accessible and reliable public transit that runs on renewable energy; significant expansion in infrastructure for safer walking and biking; and policies that electrify everything and get us to 100% pollution-free cars, trucks, and buses.
“The provisions in this bill that would undermine the National Environmental Policy Act are contradictory to the way we must move forward. In order to adequately address the climate crisis and the top polluting sector, transportation, we must prioritize the most impacted communities first.
“We have a historic opportunity right now to foster cleaner air and water, higher wages, greater equity, healthier communities, and a more stable climate. We urge Congress to act on these values by investing in an infrastructure package at the scale and scope necessary to combat climate change and put US workers first.”
BILL HIGHLIGHTS:
● Funding for programs to address climate change, with funding to reduce emissions and modernize our existing infrastructure to withstand the effects of our changing climate.
● A $500 million pilot program to reconnect and revitalize communities divided by highway construction that has disproportionately harmed communities of color and low-income communities.
● Funding for safe and accessible pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.
● Funding for projects to benefit Tribal communities.
● Funding for the expansion of electric vehicle charging.
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.