Clean Transportation

Demanding Clean Vehicles In Our Communities

Minnesota’s transportation sector is responsible for roughly 34.6 percent of the state’s carbon dioxide emissions, the most of any one sector in Minnesota. Vehicle pollution and particulate matter negatively impact air quality and the health and wellbeing of all our residents — with a disproportionately large impact on BIPOC and low-income communities located close to areas of high density traffic.

We are asking our state legislators to:
  • Support legislation to help eliminate Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector by 2040;
  • Ensure that workers and communities impacted by this transition are included in developing these transition plans;
  • Assess the significant challenges in transportation and transit reliability and accessibility for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color;
  • Prioritize the health of communities facing high air pollution due to transportation use and ensure they are the first to receive electric options for healthier air;
  • Equitably match the funds from the IIJA and IRA that prioritize transportation electrification.

 

We are currently tracking the following legislation
  • Electric School Bus Deployment (HF 2502)- A bill that allows a public utility to file a program with public utilities commission to promote deployment of electric school buses.
  • NEVI Bill (SF 1132)- A bill for an act relating to transportation; authorizing electric vehicle infrastructure program; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 174.
Why It Matters

While vehicle emission standards and other measures have slightly reduced Minnesota’s total emissions since measurements began in the 1970’s, MN350 Action believes the most effective way in which the state of Minnesota can act to improve the health and quality of life for its people is by passing comprehensive legislation that electrifies the transportation sector, eliminates vehicle emissions, and prioritizes communities based on the level to which they are impacted by pollution.

 

To learn more about our work, contact Noelle Cirisan.