Congressman Robert Garcia and Senator Elizabeth Warren Introduce Green New Deal Bill to Electrify and Modernize the Nation’s Transportation Infrastructure
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) introduced the BUILD GREEN Infrastructure and Jobs Act, which would authorize the U.S. Department of Transportation to distribute $500 billion over ten years to electrify and modernize public vehicles and rail and build new electric transportation infrastructure across the country. This funding would be available under President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act. The bill had previously been led in the House by former Rep. Andy Levin.
“By making crucial investments into electrifying public transportation and implementing sustainable technologies, we can effectively tackle the climate crisis while building a well-paid workforce and green economy,” said Congressman Robert Garcia. “The BUILD GREEN Act allows communities nationwide to take the steps necessary to create a future that is cleaner and greener, paving the way for generations to come. The time to act is now.”
“The time to accelerate towards a clean energy future is now,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “Modernizing our transportation grid will pump billions into the economy, create green union jobs, and safeguard against the worst effects of climate change. That’s good news across the board.”
"We need to think big enough on public transit to ensure that every single person can take fast, reliable, green public transportation wherever they need to go, and that's what the Build GREEN Act would make possible,” said Saul Levin, Legislative & Political Director at the Green New Deal Network.“The Build GREEN Act would not only provide more than enough funding for every unfunded transportation project on the Federal Transit Administration's docket, but it would also prioritize frontline and rural communities' needs and give transportation workers the top-notch wages, benefits, and protections they deserve. This legislation will build on the best programs of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act, and speed us along the tracks towards a Green New Deal for Transportation.”
The bill is endorsed by the following organizations: America Walks, Climate and Community Project, Evergreen Action, Friends of the Earth, GreenLatinos, Green New Deal Network, Metropolitan Planning Council, Move LA, NRDC, Sierra Club, Streets for All, Sustain Charlotte, TransForm, Transportation Riders United, Wisconsin Transit Riders Alliance, Zero Hour, Climate Hawks Vote. To read the full text, click here.
Congressman Garcia has been a strong advocate for climate and environmental justice and is proud to support the Green New Deal to expand our investment in the jobs and technology of the future. In Congress, Congressman Garcia has addressed port pollution and environmental justice through his Clean Shipping Act and has secured millions of dollars in federal funds to bring back to his community to build sustainable infrastructure. As Mayor of the City of Long Beach, his signature ballot initiative, Measure A, launched the largest infrastructure repair program in a generation, promoting good-paying union jobs.
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