The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) released the North Carolina Clean Transportation Plan last week, outlining a roadmap to continue growing the state’s clean energy economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in cleaner and more accessible transportation options for all North Carolinians. NCDOT delivered the plan to Governor Roy Cooper a day ahead of the April 7 deadline outlined in the Governor’s Executive Order 246​, which directed the agency to lead its creation.

The plan calls for NCDOT to create a Clean Transportation Team that will work with an Interagency Task Force and external work groups to promote greater access to zero- and low-emission vehicles and electric charging stations and seek out funding to support alternative modes of transportation such as public transit, rail, bicycle, pedestrian and other non-motorized options. Among the other strategies to be implemented, the team and the work groups will also advocate for reducing vehicle miles traveled with greater emphasis on clean transportation options.

The plan seeks to advance the goals outlined in Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 246, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% from 2005 levels and increasing registered zero-emission vehicles to 1.25 million by 2030. For more than a year, NCDOT led a group of over 220 stakeholders to develop the recommendations and strategies in the plan. Stakeholders came from local, state and regional agencies, transportation providers, social justice groups, colleges, communities, environmental groups and utilities.

The final plan, which includes public feedback from a comment period and listening sessions in March, was submitted to Cooper last week. To learn more, visit NCDOT’s N.C. Clean Transportation website, https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/environmental/climate-change/Pages/clean-transportation-plan.aspx