“States and cities are the driving force in the fight against climate change. With today’s announcement, it’s clear that they are shifting into a new gear.”

Environment Maryland

Today, a coalition of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states – including Maryland – announced steps toward limiting dangerous carbon pollution from cars and trucks, the leading contributor to climate change in the region. Over the next year, the states will be gathering input from stakeholders about what an effective policy should accomplish.

The announcement was made at an international conference in Bonn, Germany, where the nations of the world gathered to discuss practical steps needed to implement the Paris Climate Agreement. With the Trump administration’s rejection of the agreement, a coalition of states, cities and businesses – including the states announcing the new transportation initiative today – are carrying the commitment to reduce pollution for the United States as a whole.

Travis Madsen, Climate Campaign Director for Environment Maryland, issued the following statement in response:

“States and cities are the driving force in the fight against climate change. With today’s announcement, it’s clear that they are shifting into a new gear.

Transportation in the future is going to be 100 percent clean. The process announced today holds great potential to help us get there faster. Done right, a strong policy to limit transportation pollution will help clean our air, protect our health and preserve our climate.

We urge all citizens to get plugged in. Let Governor Hogan know that you support ambitious action to cut pollution from cars and trucks.”