Northeastern states band together to tackle transportation pollution
How is the Northeast taking on the largest source of planet-warming, climate-changing pollution?
On Dec. 18, Massachusetts joined Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., to announce they will create a regional plan to curb transportation pollution.
“Americans want a modern transportation system that is cleaner, healthier and more efficient,” said Matt Casale, transportation campaign director with Environment Massachusetts’ network partner, MASSPIRG. “We are one step closer to getting the 21st century transportation system we need and deserve.”
The devil will be in the details, which we expect to see within the next year. The states are all part of a broader coalition called the Transportation and Climate Initiative that will develop a region-wide policy to reduce transportation emissions and transition to a low-carbon transportation system. We’re urging the initiative to support better public transit, more bike-friendly and pedestrian-friendly streets, and a transition to electric cars, trucks and buses. Environment Massachusetts is joined by MASSPIRG in support of the initiative.
Photo: MBTA Rapid Transit (CC by ND 2.0); 7beachbum via flickr (CC by 2.0); Adam E. Moreira via Wikimedia Commons (CC by SA); Adam E. Moreira via Wikimedia Commons (CC by SA); Jef Nickerson via flickr (CC by SA 2.0)
