Virginia, alongside eight other states and the District of Columbia, signed on to a document laying out goals towards a proposal that would cap and reduce carbon pollution from transportation and then invest proceeds from the program into low-carbon and more resilient transportation infrastructure.
The statement sets a goal of having the finished policy proposal done by the end of 2019.
All signees are part of the Transportation & Climate Initiative of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States. Virginia announced that it joined the Transportation & Climate Initiative in September 2018.
“Transportation is the number one source of carbon pollution our state, and it’s encouraging that Virginia has recognized the need to pursue clean and accessible transportation options and reduce harmful emissions as soon as possible,” said Kate Addleson, executive director of the Sierra Club Virginia chapter.
More from Addleson:
“Our current transportation system pollutes our air, water, and land, harms our health, exacerbates inequities, and fails to move Virginians around in an efficient way. Today’s commitment provides Virginia a seat at the table to help develop much-needed solutions to these problems.
“A regional, market-based program provides an exciting opportunity to limit pollution while generating new funds for clean transportation investments. We strongly urge that the final version of this program include dedicated funding for projects that will improve transportation options and air quality for communities who have been overburdened by pollution and underserved by our current system.”
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