Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced more than $2.4 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for 122 rail improvement projects in 41 states and Washington, D.C.
The FRA’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will benefit communities across the country.
On the same day, the Biden-Harris administration announced nearly $3 billion for its Clean Ports Program to address pollution at ports and freight hubs across the country.
In response to the announcement of the rail funding, Yassi Kavezade, senior advisor to the Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign, released the following statement:
“Rail is an important climate solution and key to slashing pollution from our transportation system. Replacing car, plane, and truck trips with rail will help reduce traffic congestion, cut climate emissions, and create good jobs.
“The CRISI program will have benefits for generations to come as the rail sector has been neglected for far too long. Noteworthy projects include the restoration of Amtrak to the Gulf Coast, several zero emission locomotive pilot projects in Arizona and California, and worker training investments for rail maintenance in Delaware, Montana, and Virginia, creating hundreds of jobs.
“Together with this week’s announcement of billions in clean ports funding, the real-world benefits of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act for communities across the country are clear.”
Background:
In August 2023, Sierra Club released a statement on rail outlining a series of recommendations to improve both passenger and freight rail, as well as expand rail electrification. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a once-in-a-generation investment to expand and improve our passenger and freight rail system, and this is a guide for successfully implementing the funding to maximize health, environmental, and economic benefits.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of 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.