Your Senator has a key vote in the Maryland Senate Budget and Taxation Committee regarding SB 59, the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act (“TCA”), which had a committee hearing yesterday (February 25th). Now is the time to call or email your State Senator to ask them to vote in favor of this bill.
The TCA requires that the Maryland Department of Transportation measure and assess the climate impact of major transportation projects and requires that all major highway expansion projects costing over $100 million mitigate the resulting increases in pollution by pairing them with investments that offset emissions including public transit, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, transit-oriented-development, and solar energy on MDOT property.
In addition to reducing climate pollution, SB 59 would protect our health, reduce traffic congestion, and save consumers money – an average of more than $3,000 per household each year on vehicle costs. Investing in more efficient, lower-maintenance infrastructure can also reduce the state’s long-term costs. New analysis shows Maryland could achieve approximately $550 million per year in net savings by 2050 by building out bus rapid transit, protected bike lanes, and passenger rail.
Take Action
Last year, the TCA passed out of the House of Delegates , but didn’t make it out of committee in the Senate. Help advance this important bill by contacting your State Senator today to help the bill reach the Senate floor. Check out this quick 1-page overview to learn more about the TCA.