ElectrifyNY recently launched a campaign to encourage New York City to transition to a zero emissions from transportation plan by 2040.
Currently, there is no plan to reduce transportation emissions and help reach the state’s broader climate goals. In New York state, 34 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to transportation, and there are more than 100 transportation agencies.
New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) is the state’s and the nation’s largest transportation agency. It emits more than half a million metric tons of greenhouse gases annually and purchases 30 percent of the nation’s transportation vehicles.
Nearly half of MTA’s buses burn diesel fuel.
A total of 75 percent of MTA’s ridership is from communities of color and low-income communities that are serviced by the oldest buses. This means their communities disproportionately experience noxious emissions and poor air quality.
ElectrifyNY is urging MTA to create a plan and timeline for an all-electric fleet by 2040.
ElectrifyNY is a coalition of public health, public transportation, environmental justice, and job advocates. It will be making a “municipal toolkit” available to help transit agencies and officials transition to electric fleets while creating jobs and involving workers and environmental justice communities in the decision-making process.