Improving the emissions performance of our transportation system
Transportation is the largest source of GHG emissions in the US, accounting for 27% of annual emissions in 2020. GCC works at the nexus of federal-state transportation policy to help inform government initiatives that leverage a broad range of strategies to reduce emissions, including light-duty and heavy-duty vehicle electrification, improved transit, and other lower-carbon, more accessible, and safer transportation options. GCC convenes multi-state and regional policymakers, supports federal and state regulatory policy development, and informs the equitable and effective implementation of state and federal legislation. GCC also supports state and federal efforts to ensure transportation investments benefit communities that have been disproportionately harmed by transportation pollution and underserved by the existing transportation system.
Informing transportation investment decisions
Modeling and Analysis: To inform the national conversation around how best to spend the billions of dollars in federal and state transportation funding, we analyzed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law using our Transportation Investment Strategy Tool and assessed the potential effects of each of the bill’s surface transportation provisions on emissions outcomes at the national and state levels. We found IIJA could be an important part of the U.S. response to climate change. Or it could lead to more greenhouse gas pollution than the trajectory we are currently on. Where the actual outcome falls within that range will depend on the decisions made by state, federal, and local governments about how to spend the money made available by IIJA.
We partnered with Cambridge Systematics to develop a free online tool – the Transportation Evaluation and Carbon Reduction Tool (TEA-CART) – to help practitioners in state and local departments of transportation quickly assess how investments in their capital plans could affect the future emissions performance of the transportation system.
Legal analysis on flexibility of funding: States have considerable flexibility in how to invest federal transportation funds, and we are providing legal and policy analysis to help state and federal policymakers and stakeholders determine how funds can best be directed toward projects that reduce climate-warming pollution.
Accelerating vehicle electrification
Electric vehicles (EVs) have enormous potential to reduce harmful air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation. GCC has developed legal and policy analysis to inform state and federal investments in EV charging infrastructure, along with mapping and analysis tools to inform discussions between policymakers, local communities, and other stakeholders in considering priority locations for EV fast charging infrastructure investments, including the places most affected by pollution and underserved by existing transportation systems.
Convening states to focus on the GHG performance of federal highways
GCC conducts analysis and convenes states and other stakeholders from across the nation to support the development of federal transportation programs and regulations, with a focus on the performance of the federal highway system. GCC works to inform federal policy with the perspectives and lessons learned from states, including by publishing white papers and policy analyses and facilitating multi-state comment letters.
Expanding community-level air quality monitoring
Community and environmental justice advocates have long called for more air quality monitoring in their neighborhoods, and a growing number of political leaders at the federal, state, and local levels of government are now taking responsive actions. To help state agencies respond to community needs, expand community-level air monitoring programs, and achieve the equity and environmental justice goals of their air quality, climate, and clean energy programs, GCC facilitates the Air Quality Monitoring Workgroup (AQMWG). This community of practice among state agency officials in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region shares information and best practices regarding community-based air quality monitoring and related policy actions.
Facilitating Northeast and Mid-Atlantic state collaboration
GCC serves as the facilitator and convenor of state transportation, energy, and environment agencies from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region working to develop low-carbon transportation policies. This work includes multi-state efforts to consider GHG emissions in transportation investment planning processes, coordinate and support regional electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure deployment, build state and local capacity for air quality monitoring, and develop regional low-carbon transportation policies.
Issue Brief: Estimating the Greenhouse Gas Impact of Federal Infrastructure Investments in the IIJA
December 21, 2021
The bipartisan federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act represents a historic investment in the underpinnings of our economy, especially when it comes to transportation. GCC is sharing this new analysis to help understand how these investments could help or hinder state and federal GHG reduction goals.
Memo: Opportunities for Climate-Related State Investments
December 20, 2021
This memorandum provides an overview of funding available to states in the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, and potentially available in the Build Back Better Act, for climate-related investments along with key considerations for states that wish to take full advantage of this historic opportunity.
Low-Carbon Transportation Policy Options for the Commonwealth of Virginia
May 25, 2021
To inform ongoing conversations among stakeholders and government officials in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Georgetown Climate Center commissioned analysis by Greenlink Analytics to model a variety of low-carbon transportation policy options. The modeling estimates potential benefits and costs from 2022 to 2040 that could result from these policies, including projected reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants and effects on jobs, GDP, and public health.
GCC Comments to FHWA on revisions to the MUTCD
May 14, 2021
Towards Equitable and Transformative Investments in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
March 18, 2021
The electrification of cars, trucks, and buses is an important strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollution, and can lead to cleaner air and healthier communities. As federal policymakers develop infrastructure and climate legislation to create jobs and spur economic recovery, the Georgetown Climate Center and M.J. Bradley & Associates have released Towards Equitable and Transformative Investments in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure, to inform federal investments in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Investments in EV charging present opportunities to advance equity and environmental justice, spur job creation, build the clean energy economy, and address the climate and public health crises facing the United States.
Written Statement of Vicki Arroyo before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, July 2019
July 10, 2019
On Wednesday, July 10, 2019, GCC Executive Director Vicki Arroyo testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on the role of transportation in contributing to climate change and the importance of increased investment in low-carbon, more resilient transportation systems to withstand climate change impacts.
Written Statement of Vicki Arroyo before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, February 26, 2019
February 28, 2019
On Tuesday, February 26, 2019, GCC Executive Director Vicki Arroyo testified before the full House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure at a hearing entitled "Examining How Federal Infrastructure Policy Could Help Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change." Arroyo provided spoken and written testimony to the Committee, and fielded questions along with the other panelists.
Reducing Transportation Emissions in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic: Fuel System Considerations
July 23, 2018
In support of states interested in learning more about market-based policy options, the Georgetown Climate Center developed Reducing Transportation Emissions in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic: Fuel System Considerations to explore technical aspects of a possible regional cap-and-invest policy, as an illustrative example of a market-based approach to a multi-state transportation policy. The paper focuses on two subjects: which fuels might be covered under a policy, and which entities in the transportation fuel supply chain might be responsible for reducing emissions. First published November 12, 2017. Updated July 2018 to include new data and analysis.
Electric Vehicle Procurement for Public Fleets
June 28, 2018
Public fleets are realizing significant benefits from the deployment of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs), and many public fleets want to ‘lead by example’ by showing the public the benefits of transitioning to EVs. The following page provides resources for public fleet electric vehicle procurement developed through the EV Smart Fleets initiative.
Regulatory Considerations for Utility Investment in EV Charging Infrastructure
November 13, 2017
A report released from the Georgetown Climate Center and M.J. Bradley & Associates provides an overview of the accelerating electrification of the transportation sector and explores the role of state utility regulators in evaluating potential investments by electric utilities in EV charging infrastructure. The report identifies key considerations for regulators, including the amount of charging infrastructure needed to support EVs, ways that regulators can help ensure equitable access to charging infrastructure, and opportunities to maximize the benefits of utility investment in charging infrastructure.
Issue Brief | More Roads but Fewer Options
July 9, 2026
To better understand how the proposed Reauthorization bill could affect real-world outcomes, the Georgetown Climate Center estimated how BA250 could affect climate pollution, electric vehicle (EV) deployment, traffic safety and household costs for U.S. residents. Results are published in a new GCC Issue Brief: More Roads but Fewer Options.
Statement on the US EPA's Reversal of the Endangerment Finding for Greenhouse Gases
February 12, 2026
“EPA’s reversal of the Endangerment Finding undermines decades of progress to address the existential threat of climate change,” said Kate Zyla, Georgetown Climate Center’s Executive Director. “The Agency’s...
Issue Brief | Aligning Transportation Planning with State Climate Goals
February 5, 2026
Opportunities for State Departments of Transportation Read the full issue brief (PDF) As the agencies that oversee the planning, funding, and maintenance of most of the nation’s transportation systems, state...
TEA-CART: A Tool for Making Climate-Smart Transportation Investments
December 5, 2025
Transportation has been the biggest source of climate pollution in the United States for nearly a decade. Every day, state and local transportation agencies make decisions that determine which infrastructure projects...
Blog | EPA’s Proposed Endangerment Finding Revocation Purports to Limit Both Federal and State Climate Authority
September 10, 2025
By Amanda Lineberry, Senior Associate On August 1, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to rescind the cornerstone 2009 Endangerment Finding that enables EPA to regulate greenhouse gases (GHGs)...
Understanding Recent Federal Actions | Transportation Funding & Programs
August 11, 2025
This explainer is part of GCC’s efforts to help state officials and stakeholders understand how recent federal actions may affect state policies and programs related to energy and climate change. Our goal is for this...
Statement on EPA's Proposed Repeal of Legal Foundation for Federal Climate Regulation
July 29, 2025
Trump Administration Action Runs Counter to Decades of Environmental Protection
Issue Brief | Planning for Equitable EV Charging: A Review of Justice40 Elements in National EV Infrastructure State Plans
August 28, 2024
By Sherif Halaweish, Climate Fellow and Matthew Goetz, Associate Mitigation Director As states across the country prepare to implement a new round of funding for EV charging infrastructure by updating their National...
GCC welcomes Melissa Birchard as Mitigation Program Director
August 28, 2024
The Georgetown Climate Center is delighted to welcome Melissa Birchard as the Mitigation Program Director. Melissa will lead GCC’s clean energy and climate change mitigation team, overseeing GCC’s work to support...
Blog | New State Transportation & Climate Planning Requirements Offer Models for GHG-conscious Investment
August 6, 2024
A trio of states build upon an emerging body of policies to align transportation investments with climate action planning, demonstrating opportunities for others to follow. In recent months, three states — Hawaii,...
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