Recent Streetsblog MASS posts about Climate emergency

Rural Communities Are Struggling to Pay for Their Car-Dependent Infrastructure

By Andrew Ahern | Jan 5, 2022 | No Comments

A new report from the Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor calls for more spending on rural roads, but fails to address related and more urgent needs for more energy- and cost-efficient transportation in rural areas.

Workers plug in a hybrid-electric truck at the Long Beach Port in California

Baker Admin. Moves to Adopt California’s Electric Truck Mandates

By Christian MilNeil | Jan 4, 2022 | No Comments

California’s new regulation would require zero-emission engines in an increasing proportion of truck sales, ranging from delivery vans to big rigs.

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What’s In (And What’s Out Of) the New Reconciliation Bill For Sustainable Transport

By Kea Wilson | Nov 2, 2021 | No Comments

Most programs favored by sustainable transportation advocates have survived negotiations over the massive social infrastructure package that's held up the country's transportation ambitions for months — though a few of them have gotten a little skinnier.

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Progressive Dems Demand $30B for Transit, Deemphasize EVs

By Kea Wilson | Sep 13, 2021 | No Comments

Mass transit must be at the center of America's strategy to end climate change — and the next spending package needs to devote at least half our transportation dollars to getting people out of cars and onto public transportation, a coalition of lawmakers says.

A rendering of a future Blue Line station entrance from the lobby of the existing Charles/MGH station in Charles Circle. Escalators would lead underground to a new Blue Line platform under Cambridge Street. The Red and Blue Lines are currently the only two lines in the T's network that don't directly connect to each other at a downtown station. Courtesy of the MBTA.

Federal Infrastructure Bill Could Buy Big Projects, But Not Long-Term Fiscal Stability

By Christian MilNeil | Aug 25, 2021 | No Comments

A massive influx of federal funds (and the looming possibility of a major federal infrastructure bill) is shoring up budgets at the state’s major transit agencies in spite of the past year’s dip in ridership and fare collections, and opening up possibilities for funding major projects, like the electrification of the regional rail network and […]

New flood barriers being installed outside the Aquarium MBTA station on the Boston waterfront

MBTA Flood Resiliency Projects Face Major Test As Henri Approaches

By Christian MilNeil | Aug 20, 2021 | No Comments

Forecasters say that Henri could bring up to 8 inches of rainfall to parts of the state, plus sustained high winds and storm surges that could flood low-lying areas along the coast.

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Environmental Justice Advocates Want More From Transportation and Climate Plan

By Ethan Goffman | Jul 6, 2021 | No Comments

The latest version of a multistate plan to lower transportation emissions represents an improvement, but still doesn't go far enough on environmental-justice issues, some advocates say.

About 40 cars occupy five lanes of highway in crawling traffic that stretches off to the horizon..

Baker’s Climate Plans Presume A Future With Lots of Driving

By Christian MilNeil | Jan 18, 2021 | 1 Comment

Governor Baker's climate plan focuses most of its attention on subsidizing electric car purchases, and generally dismisses the potential of reducing pollution with transit-oriented development or expanded transit services.

Flooding on Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester during a "king tide" event

The Morrissey Marshes: Where Boston’s Climate and Transportation Challenges Collide

By Christian MilNeil | Nov 17, 2020 | No Comments

Major redevelopment schemes and the city's climate resiliency strategy all hinge on a plan that doesn’t exist yet: how Morrissey Boulevard will be rebuilt for a future with higher sea levels and fewer motor vehicles.

Traffic from major highways increases the health risks of fine particulate pollution exposure in the Commonwealth's biggest cities. Courtesy of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Research Predicts Large Public Health Benefits From Cap-and-Trade Program

By Christian MilNeil | Oct 14, 2020 | No Comments

Researchers found that that devoting more cap-and-trade funds to transit and active transportation generated significantly greater public health benefits, particularly by encouraging more physical activity with better bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

A battery-powered school bus. Photo courtesy of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Electric Trucks and Buses Are Coming… Just Not Fast Enough to Save the Climate

By Olivia Box | Aug 31, 2020 | No Comments

Massachusetts has signed a multi-state pact to make zero-emission vehicles at least 30 percent of new bus and truck sales by 2030, and 100 percent by 2050 – but there’s considerable uncertainty about whether the pledge is ambitious enough to help Massachusetts meet its latest climate goals.

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