First plan to decarbonize the U.S. transportation sector

Promoting sustainable mobility and the ecological transition in all areas will lead to the decarbonization of industries, thereby helping to tackle the climate crisis afflicting the planet.

By: María Ramírez

TThe National Transportation Decarbonization Plan was developed by the Departments of Energy, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency. This plan is a landmark strategy of the Biden-Harris Administration to reduce all greenhouse emissions from the transportation sector by 2050.

Addressing the climate crisis is essential to President Biden's commitment to ensure a 100% clean electric grid by 2035 and achieve zero net carbon emissions by 2050. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and the Inflation Reduction Act represent historic investments in the future of transforming mobility and housing while building a safer and more sustainable transportation system.

The MOU was signed by U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan. The plan will follow various more detailed decarbonization action plans, which will be developed and implemented by these agencies in cooperation with governments at the state, local or tribal level, philanthropic organizations, the private sector, and global partners.

Jennifer M. Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Energy, stated, "The domestic transportation sector presents an enormous opportunity to dramatically reduce emissions that accelerate climate change and reduce harmful pollution. DOE stands ready to implement this plan with our partners in the Biden-Harris Administration to ensure that all Americans feel the benefits of the transition to clean transportation: good-paying manufacturing jobs, improved air quality, and lower transportation costs."

Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, commented, "Transportation policy is inseparable from housing and energy policies, and transportation accounts for a significant share of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, so we must work together in an integrated way to address the climate crisis. Every transportation decision is also an opportunity to build a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous future. When our air is cleaner; when more people can get good-paying jobs; when everyone stays connected to the resources they need and the people they love, we're all better off."

"At EPA, our priority is to protect public health, especially in overburdened communities, while advancing the President's ambitious climate agenda. This plan is a step forward in meeting

DOE STANDS READY TO IMPLEMENT THIS PLAN WITH OUR PARTNERS IN THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION TO ENSURE THAT ALL AMERICANS FEEL THE BENEFITS OF THE TRANSITION TO CLEAN TRANSPORTATION: GOOD-PAYING MANUFACTURING JOBS, IMPROVED AIR QUALITY, AND LOWER TRANSPORTATION COSTS

JENNIFER

M, GRANHOLM, U.S. ENERGY SECRETARY.

those goals and accelerating the transition to a clean transportation future," stated Michael

S. Regan, EPA Administrator.

The transportation sector, including all modes of travel, is responsible for one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the country. These gases negatively affect the health and well-being of millions of Americans, particularly those living in disadvantaged communities.

In addition, transportation costs are the second most considerable annual household expense in the United States. For the poorest residents, the financial burden of transportation is disproportionately high and unsustainable.

All of this is to say that a well-planned transition to a decarbonized transportation system can provide equitable, affordable, and accessible options for transporting people and goods. Creating good-paying jobs and strengthening America's energy independence will come with developing and deploying clean energy technologies, such as electric vehicles, hydrogen, and sustainable fuels, and supporting infrastructure for clean transportation.

The plan is critical in the ongoing collaboration among DOE, DOT, EPA, HUD, and stakeholders. It will be followed by more detailed sector action plans to create a comprehensive set of strategies for an improved and sustainable transportation future.