Read the classifieds in this issue to learn about 7 bids & proposals and 7 transit job opportunities!

A report released Dec. 14 by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Smart Growth America (SGA) demonstrates a conflict between many states’ transportation policies and the goal of reducing carbon emissions. The report, Getting Back on Track: Climate Change and State Transportation Policy, examines 17 key policy options in all 50 states and reports on methods of improvement.

“Most states’ transportation departments seem to be ignoring their important role in stopping climate change,” said Colin Peppard, deputy director of federal transportation policy at NRDC. “If states considered all their transportation policy options, they could tap into tremendous potential to reduce carbon emissions, even with limited resources.”

California, New Jersey, and Maryland receive recognition for their long-term commitment to getting the most out of every transportation dollar spent, according to NRDC and SGA. These states support policies to reduce carbon emissions and take steps to rebuild their economies through effective transportation decisions.

The report shows how smarter state transportation policies, along with innovations at the federal level, can help the nation make significant progress in curbing carbon pollution. For example, few states adequately assess carbon emissions when deciding whether to allocate more funds to build new highways or maintain existing ones or how much money it should devote to transit, if any at all.

“We know there are innovative approaches to transportation that are good for communities, address pollution, and meet our transportation goals—but we now know states aren’t using them,” said Neha Bhatt, deputy policy director at SGA. “We can get a better transportation system and reduce carbon emissions per dollar invested, but we have to change transportation policies at the state and the federal level to do that.”

The full report is available online from NRDC and SGA.

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