Transportation

With each plan, project or program, port agencies have an opportunity to promote environmental justice and equitable development by seeking ways to reduce impacts and increase benefits to near-ports communities. This section describes common health and quality-of-life impacts on near-port communities that ports agencies can begin to remedy through more equitable decision-making.

In order to achieve a successful 100% regenerative policy that is justice-centered, the policy should ensure that both the generation and the grid are equitable and community owned.

On August 25, 2021, the Moving Forward Network released a new report outlining how freight emissions impact the health of communities of color and low-income communities, while also significantly contributing to climate change.

There are myriad DG benefits, such as reduced dependence on transmission lines, societal benefits of community visibility and accessibility, and jobs and local economic opportunities.

As states, regions, and cities aim to transition to a clean energy future, many search for new transportation strategies and funding mechanisms. Equity and tax progressivity considerations need to be a part of any road pricing conversation, to transform the way regions raise revenue for transportation and ensure equitable and progressive transportation funding during the phase-out of fossil fuels.