Transportation group endorses governors' support of emissions reduction

The Our Transportation Future (OTF) coalition earlier this week sent a letter expressing support for 12 East Coast governors and the mayor of Washington, D.C., who are marking an effort to reduce transportation emissions. 

OTF is a coalition committed to modernizing transportation across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region and is an advocate for improving intercity rail.

OTF earlier this week unveiled the letter at a regional workshop on developing low-carbon investment strategies and priorities for the Transportation and Climate Initiative, a regional partnership for clean transportation in Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states, OTF officials said in a press release.

In attendance were Govs. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, John Carney of Delaware, Andrew Cuomo of New York, Larry Hogan of Maryland, Ned Lamont of Connecticut, Janet Mills of Maine, Phil Murphy of New Jersey, Ralph Northam of Virginia, Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island, Phil Scott of Vermont, Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser.

The agreement calls for participating states to:

• establish new — and enhance existing — sources of funding to accelerate investments in public transit, intercity rail, electric vehicle infrastructure, bikeways and pedestrian walkways;
• foster polices that support sustainable, affordable, transit-oriented development and other land use decisions that reduce vehicle miles traveled; 
• reduce vehicle pollution; and
• leverage transportation networks to create new opportunities for businesses and communities.

More than 50 local, state, regional and national transportation, environmental, scientific, health and business organizations have already signed on to the letter, including the Rail Passengers Association.