INVESTING IN AMERICA: In Recognition of Climate Week, US Department of Transportation Highlights Work to Combat Climate Crisis and Build More Resilient, Sustainable Transportation Systems

As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s recognition of Climate Week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is highlighting the administration’s work – and the impact of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – in building more resilient, sustainable, and accessible transportation systems across the country. To date, more than 60,000 transportation projects are moving forward across all parts of the country thanks to funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. These include projects to build a convenient, accessible, reliable national EV charging network; invest in safer bike and pedestrian networks, historic investments to expand public transit and passenger rail services, including the first high-speed rail systems to be operational on American soil; rebuild deteriorating bridges and make them more resilient to the effects of climate change; upgrade ports to improve air quality in neighboring communities; develop sustainable aviation fuel; and modernize airport terminals, and more.

More frequent and severe weather events year-round have lasting impacts on critical supply chains and Americans’ ability to safely travel. Our nation’s transportation sector is responsible for more carbon pollution than any other sector of the U.S. economy. Thanks to investments through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden-Harris administration is working to build and expand transportation systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, are resilient to the impacts of climate change, and advance climate and environmental justice priorities.
Recent accomplishments of the Department include:

• Delivering on the promise to make transportation infrastructure more resilient to climate change: In April 2024, USDOT awarded nearly $830 million in grant awards through the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) discretionary grant program to state and local governments, Tribal Nations, and U.S. territories. These awards, made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are in addition to the $7.3 billion in formula funding that goes directly to states to support transportation system resilience to climate impacts, including flooding, sea level rise, wildfires, and extreme heat.
• Connecting communities: In March 2024, USDOT announced $3.3 billion in grant awards for 132 communities through the Reconnecting Communities & Neighborhoods (RCN) Grant Program. The program aims to reconnect communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity or are environmental burdens. Earlier this year the Department launched the Reconnecting Communities Institute  to provide no-cost technical assistance to communities seeking to improve transportation access, restore access in neighborhoods where transportation projects have created barriers, and utilize transit, cycling, pedestrian, and green infrastructure solutions.
• Building New Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure: Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, the number of publicly available EV chargers has more than doubled. There are currently more than 193,000 publicly available charging ports with approximately 1,000 new public chargers being added each week, with federally funded projects expected to ramp up in the coming years to fill gaps in the system where the private sector may not go. Electric vehicles cut pollution and save consumers money on gas. This progress is a testament to the Investing in America agenda and the catalyzing effect it has had on private investments for EV charging infrastructure to expand America’s EV charging network while creating good-paying, union jobs.
• Reducing air pollution and strengthening American-made transit manufacturing industry: As part of the largest federal investment in public transportation in the nation’s history, in July 2024, USDOT announced approximately $1.5 billion to replace and modernize transit buses on America’s roadways. These zero- or low-emission buses will bolster American manufacturing and create good-paying union jobs. Over the last three years, the Department also celebrated transit agencies that are taking innovative approaches to reducing carbon pollution. Nearly 240 transit agencies participated in the FTA’s Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Climate Challenge, which encouraged transit leaders to take bold actions and prioritize investments to help tackle the climate crisis.
• Promoting sustainable aviation: In August 2024, USDOT awarded nearly $300 million to accelerate production and use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and the development of low-emission aviation technologies that will support the U.S. aviation climate goal to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 as part of the Investing in America agenda. These investments will foster domestic economic growth and ensure the U.S. retains its global leadership in aviation. Additionally, FAA has awarded over $1.8 billion to date for projects modernizing our airports, including improving sustainability, under its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Terminals Program.
• Improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians: This month, USDOT announced over $1 billion in awards to more than 350 projects to plan and implement roadway safety projects, especially for cyclists and pedestrians. These projects will enable more people to choose to walk or bike to their destinations, reducing emissions and improving air quality. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $5 billion for this program over five years.
• Driving innovative ideas to enable vibrant communities: In April 2024, USDOT awarded $17.6 million to help communities add affordable housing near transit through the Federal Transit Administration’s Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development. This makes transit more accessible for more Americans, reducing transportation costs for families and increasing their access to jobs and broader opportunities. Additionally, the Department announced funding through the Thriving Communities Program to help 112 communities nationwide access intensive technical assistance to assist them in identifying, developing, and delivering transportation projects to achieve locally-driven goals, including improving sustainability. The Department also celebrated the beginning of the construction of Brightline West, a high-speed, zero-emission rail project that will connect Las Vegas, Nevada to Southern California. The project will reduce an estimated 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, bolster tourism, and create 35,000 good-paying jobs.
• Accelerating climate technology and innovation: This week, USDOT is announcing $5 million to advance research and innovation in low-carbon concrete. The new investment will support a research partnership between USDOT, academic institutions, and the private sector to explore innovative uses of steel slag in concrete and strengthen the sustainability and resilience of the Nation’s transportation infrastructure. This award builds on the first-of-its-kind USDOT-sponsored research center, the Center for Emissions Reduction, Resiliency, and Climate Equity in Transportation announced earlier this year. The research center will be led by Rutgers University Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation.
• Convening climate champions from across the country: This summer, USDOT hosted a Climate and Transportation Symposium, bringing together climate champions from cities, states, and communities across the country to showcase climate solutions. The symposium highlighted how the Department and its partners are implementing the US National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, including creating more accessible and affordable mobility options for all Americans.
• Funding Carbon Reduction Strategies: USDOT is implementing the new $6.4 billion Carbon Reduction Formula Program, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Funding is flowing to projects to reduce carbon emissions, including complete streets projects, public transportation, and traffic management. USDOT compiled the State Carbon Reduction Strategies developed by each state and a summary of notable practices on its website.

You can learn more about USDOT Climate Change Center activities at www.transportation.gov/priorities/climate-and-sustainability/dot-climate-change-center