Trump Administration Says Go Ahead, Pollute Freely to Transportation Projects Across Nation

WASHINGTON, DC - The Trump administration just moved togut a safeguardthat requires state Departments of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations to establish performance measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from their transportation plans and programs.

Transportation is the leading source of climate-disrupting emissions in the U.S. and a significant source of air pollution. States have an important role to play in reducing emissions by investing in sustainable transportation projects, including passenger rail, public transit, and quality bicycle and pedestrian paths.

In response to today's announcement, Jesse Piedfort, deputy director of Sierra Club's Clean Transportation for All Campaign, released the following statement:

"The Trump administration just threw accountability and transparency into the trash by gutting this common-sense tracking tool for state transportation projects. Our taxpayer dollars go into transportation projects across the country, so we deserve to know the impact on our public health and climate before they move forward. This performance measure is overwhelmingly popular, and it can serve as a helpful tool to standardize information. The Sierra Club will continue to mobilize for transportation projects that protect our air quality, lower climate-disrupting emissions, and improve mobility access in our communities."

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.