GREEN Streets Act Aims to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Improve Transportation Infrastructure

Strategic Insights -

The GENERATING Resilient, Environmentally Exceptional National (GREEN) Streets Act, a new legislation introduced by Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02), aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve transportation infrastructure in the United States. The bill would establish goals to reduce emissions and vehicle miles traveled on public roads, prioritize federal investments in walking, biking, and transit infrastructure, and give Americans more choices in how they travel for daily trips.

Key Takeaways:

  • The transportation sector has been the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the United States since 2016, accounting for over 28 percent of total emissions.
  • Nearly 40,000 people die in the U.S. every year in vehicle crashes.
  • The cost of owning and operating one car costs American families on average $12,000 per year.
  • The GREEN Streets Act would address these issues by promoting safer, more sustainable, and more affordable transportation infrastructure.
  • The legislation has been endorsed by several environmental and transportation organizations, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club, the Union of Concerned Scientists, Transportation for America, and the Coalition for Transit Justice.
  • Senators Markey, Padilla, Merkley, and Sanders have introduced the bill in the Senate, while Representative Huffman leads the legislation in the House of Representatives.

Statistics:

  • 28% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the United States come from the transportation sector.
  • 40,000 people die in the U.S. every year in vehicle crashes.
  • The average cost of owning and operating one car for American families is $12,000 per year.

Sources:

  • Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.):
  • Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02):
  • Natural Resources Defense Council:
  • Sierra Club:
  • Union of Concerned Scientists:
  • Transportation for America:
  • Coalition for Transit Justice: