Transportation Modernization Act H.94
Hartford has a lot of fun facts about it that have to do with transportation- we have the most road miles of any town in the state, we are the junction between two major highways, and we are historically a shining example of what a rail road town can be. So working on transportation issues feels both like coming home and exploring new possibilities for me!
Train depot in White River Jct
As we concluded the legislative session last year the Rep. Curt McCormack Chair of my committee, the Transportation Committee, was already thinking about what work we could do in this biennium. We worked in the off season to start pulling together long standing ideas that clean transportation proponents had been suggesting. Out of that work and with the help of fellow returning and new committee members we crafted the “Transportation Modernization Act of 2021.”
Since this is a key item I’m hoping to move this session I wanted to give you a deeper dive into what the bill proposes.
The bill’s purpose is to set out policies and projects for inclusion in the State’s 2022 Transportation Program that reduce carbon emissions, make strategic infrastructure investments, and give all Vermonters greater access to lower-cost transportation options.
This bill enhances existing programs, including but not limited to:
Supporting plug-in electric vehicles
Supporting a “Replace Your Ride” program
Supporting the “MileageSmart” program
Supporting electric bikes and buses and electric vehicle supply equipment
Ensuring that future building energy standards accommodate electric vehicle charging stations
Supporting public transit with subsidizing fare free
Supporting Complete Streets policies
Transportation is a critical issue for so many Vermonters. The goal for this bill is to help Vermonters with transportation costs while reducing carbon emissions and air quality issues and opening up the door for new jobs in the electrified transportation infrastructure sector.
The bill was introduced this week and has been numbered H.94 and has resounding support in the body with 70 co-sponsors signing on!
I had the pleasure of giving a brief video synopsis for the Climate Dispatch hosted by the Vermont Natural Resources Council. You can watch it here!
