Markey rolls out slate of transit, infrastructure, climate legislation ahead of Biden administration effort  
 
Boston (February 26, 2021) – Following four years of the Trump administration’s empty promises to bring forward major infrastructure legislation, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and Committee on Environment and Public Works, delivered on “Infrastructure Week” this week, introducing a number of green infrastructure and transit bills. The bills focus on reducing emissions within our transportation systems, ensuring our streets are accessible to multiple modes of transit, and requiring climate considerations to be included within highway and transportation planning. The transportation sector has been the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the United States since 2016, accounting for more than 28 percent of total U.S. emissions. 
 
“Infrastructure week will no longer just be a punchline,” said Senator Markey. "We need a transportation transformation in this country, and this is our opportunity to create millions of good-paying, union jobs while investing in green transit infrastructure. We can combat the climate crisis by reducing driving emissions, as well as ensure that all individuals – no matter their age or ability – can reach their destinations through affordable and healthy transportation options.”
 
Senator Markey’s transit and infrastructure legislation introduced this week includes:

  • The Generating Resilient, Environmentally Exceptional National (GREEN) Streets Act, legislation with Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02) to establish national goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the national highway system and help states adapt their transportation systems to the adverse effects of climate change.
  • The Complete Streets Act, legislation with Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) that would promote safer and more accessible transportation routes across the United States. A “complete street” is one designed to provide safe and accessible transportation options for multiple modes of travel including pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit users, as well as for people of all ages and abilities. 
  • The Connecting America’s Active Transportation System Act, bipartisan legislation with Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) that would dedicate $500 million in federal funds annually for grants to local, regional, and state government entities to connect walking and biking infrastructure into active transportation networks that allow people to reach destinations within a community, as well as travel between communities, without needing a car.
  • The Fostering and Realizing Electrification by Encouraging Zero Emission Refrigeration (FREEZER) Trucks Act with Representative Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), legislation that would combat the climate crisis and reduce local air pollution by creating a grant program at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to electrify diesel-powered transport refrigeration units (TRUs) on commercial trucks and vans. Medium- and heavy duty vehicles contribute more than 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, and emit higher levels of particulate matter and smog-forming pollutants than passenger vehicles.