Environment America, U.S. PIRG deliver over 20,000 petitions urging DOT to implement climate rule

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, with 27% of our total emissions coming from this sector. A proposed rule by the Department of Transportation would help change that by mandating that state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations establish declining carbon dioxide emissions targets and measure and report greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation. This rule would uphold the idea that our transportation system isn’t performing well unless it’s environmentally sustainable — something that is sorely needed in the face of a planning ethic that promotes highway boondoggles above sustainable forms of transportation. Climate disasters like Hurricane Ian serve as a reminder that we need to cut emissions from every sector to avoid more severe and frequent extreme weather events.

Environment America and U.S. PIRG collected 22,468 signatures from members across the country in support of this rule. It’s clear that people across the country want a better, cleaner transportation system, and this rule would be one major step in that direction.