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CLEAN TRANSPORTATION CAMPAIGN

Our vision is a transportation system where all Minnesotans have carbon-free, affordable, and accessible transportation options. That means electric cars and buses as well as human-powered transportation.

The campaign’s biggest win to date has been pushing Metro Transit in the Twin Cities to plan for a transition to electric buses. Starting with the C Line, these buses are already on the road, improving air quality in dense communities where buses stop and idle frequently. The buses were built by union workers in St. Cloud.

Metro Transit plans to put 200 more electric buses in service on bus rapid transit lines in the next 10 years.

THERE IS STILL MUCH WORK TO BE DONE.

Here are some of our current campaigns:

• Volkswagen settlement funding: Minnesota received a $47 million settlement in the wake of the VW emissions testing cheating scandal.  As the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency gathers input, we urge Minnesota to use this funding to replace diesel school buses with zero-emission electric school buses.  Recently the MPCA announced six electric school bus grants. MN350 Action is working hard to ensure additional grants.

• Clean Car Standards: After receiving comments across the state, including 1,000 from MN350 Action supporters, Gov. Walz announced that Minnesota will join 14 other states in adopting the Clean Cars Standards. The move will force auto manufacturers to make electric vehicles more widely available in Minnesota and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking comments at public meetings and online.

• Public transit funding: We support an increase in bus rapid transit in the Twin Cities — 10 lines over the next decade! — along with more aid to transit agencies in greater Minnesota.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW

• Contact the superintendent of your school district and ask about the district’s plan to transition to a zero-emission school bus fleet. Encourage the district to apply for a grant through the MPCA’s website.
• Join MN350 Action at an upcoming MPCA public meeting on rule-making for the Clean Car Standards. Register here to let us know you’re with us!

The Clean Transportation Campaign is a coalition of ISAIAH, Fresh Energy, the Sierra Club, MN350 and MN350 Action. Our vision is a transportation system where all Minnesotans have carbon-free, affordable and accessible transportation options.