Because the administration targets inexperienced vitality initiatives championed by former President Joe Biden that boosted transit, leisure trails and bicycle infrastructure, a number of states are banding collectively to advance these priorities on their very own.
California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Pennsylvania joined forces for a nationwide organizing effort dubbed the Clear Rides Community. The group gained momentum in numerous statehouses this yr on environmentally pleasant transportation initiatives it contends the federal authorities has deserted.
“These are changes we need to make anyway, but they’re more urgent than ever,” mentioned Justin Balik, senior state program director for the environmental advocacy group Evergreen Motion and one of many organizers of the Clear Rides Community. “I’ve been calling the state departments of transportation the next frontier of climate advocacy.”
