New from NRDC and Atlas Public Policy: EV buyers are 50% less likely to default on their auto loans compared to people with similar credit & income who buy cars with average fuel efficiency. People buying gas guzzlers are 16% more likely to default. atlaspolicy.com/fact-sheet-a...

Fact Sheet: A Link Between Fuel Economy and Auto Loan Repayment Risk

New research finds that borrowers financing fuel-efficient vehicles, particularly EVs, are less likely to fall behind on loan payments. Drawing on an analysis of 379,000 auto loans, the study reveals ...

atlaspolicy.com

New tire standards! www.nrdc.org/press-releas... And also: why new tire standards? www.nrdc.org/bio/john-bai...

One more reason to frequent your public library: transit meme ideation

Want durable climate coalitions? Go where people feel it: affordability. Housing + transportation are the biggest monthly bills. Policies that let more people live near jobs/services/transit cut costs *and* emissions. Volts featuring @spears.bsky.social www.volts.wtf/p/why-climat...

Why climate funders don't fund housing policy, and why they oughtta

On the philanthropic obsession with electric vehicles and why Ben Holland and Caroline Spears think state-level housing policy is our next great climate opportunity.

volts.wtf

BREAKING: The Trump administration's EPA rescinded the 2009 endangerment finding that determined that climate pollution is a threat to public health and welfare and is core to much of the climate policy that followed.

Trump Administration Erases the Government’s Power to Fight Climate Change

nytimes.com

The Trump administration just took its biggest action ever to halt climate progress. Ignoring climate science, the EPA is opening the floodgates to unlimited greenhouse gases from cars and trucks while setting the stage to undo pollution rules on other major polluters.

“This cynical and devastating action by the Trump EPA will not go forward without a fight. We will see them in court—and we will win." - @manishbapna.bsky.social

Jake Schmidt - NRDC@jakeschmidt.bsky.social · 6mo ago

NRDC statement on the Trump administration efforts to undo the endangerment finding: www.nrdc.org/press-releas...

🚙 Transportation is the largest source of climate pollution in the US 📜 This year's Surface Transportation Reauthorization is one of the biggest climate bills before Congress 👇 Evergreen Collaborative just modeled 4 key risks and opportunities for sustainable transportation

Safe, reliable public transit doesn’t just help people travel, it helps communities thrive. This week, Governor Pritzker and Illinois leaders are steering the state to a cleaner, more affordable future.

Pritzker signs CTA/Metra/Pace overhaul that ‘makes transit safer and more reliable’

Fares will be collected under a unified system managed by a new, stronger Northern Illinois Transportation Authority.

chicago.suntimes.com

Driving costs are at an all time high and traffic is polluting communities, so Illinois is investing in a better future for Chicagoland. The new transportation law will help communities stay connected and save families money.

Pritzker signs CTA/Metra/Pace overhaul that ‘makes transit safer and more reliable’

Fares will be collected under a unified system managed by a new, stronger Northern Illinois Transportation Authority.

chicago.suntimes.com

Thanks to the Illinois’ massive investment in transit, Chicago has a bright transit future, with the dawn coming next year: —50% increase in every-10-min bus routes to 30 citywide —8-minute midday headways on rail lines —24-hour Orange Line service (Red & Blue already have it)

Chicago Sun-Times@chicago.suntimes.com · 10mo ago

Acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen’s ambitious plan would also expand — from 20 to 30 routes — the so-called “Frequent Bus Network” that provides service “every ten minutes or better” between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. trib.al/Va4Ri0r

I am strongly in favor of this change. Over 15 years ago, 5-year old Zachary was killed at this intersection. We have known for years that this is dangerous, and it's past time that we do something about it. Thank you for your leadership on pedestrian safety, @markhumbert.bsky.social.

Mark Humbert@markhumbert.bsky.social · 2y ago

One car in 10 stops at the slip right turn at Zachary’s Corner. This intersection will be redesigned and reconstructed with funds from Berkeley’s LRDP settlement with UC Berkeley, per my request. It’s a top priority project for our Public Works Dept. Can’t happen soon enough.

First edition coming tomorrow! Not too late to subscribe and get it in your inbox!

Sammy Roth@sammyroth.bsky.social · 10mo ago

OK, here we go... I'm excited to launch Climate-Colored Goggles, a newsletter about climate and culture. I'll be writing about climate solutions in pop culture, media & sports. America's most influential storytellers need to get in the game. Sign up here: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com

Given this week's climate backsliding from California's elected leadership—reneging on $750M transit funding and cutting checks to oil companies—I'm reminded that other states have instead taxed oil production to fund transit. Read about the Colorado way here: www.nrdc.org/bio/alana-mi...

Lessons Learned from Colorado’s Transportation Leadership

A look at Colorado provides examples of how to build a transportation system that is just, equitable, and sustainable.

nrdc.org

Grateful and excited for this new analysis from @cplusc.bsky.social, and love their opportunity cost frame -- what do we lose every time our state leaders greenlight $1 billion for the next wasteful highway project?

Climate and Community Institute@cplusc.bsky.social · last yr.

What’s the best way to spend $1 billion for transportation? Our latest report shows the positive impacts of every $1 billion shifted from highways to transit and identifies key policy levers to shift transportation investments away from highway spending. climateandcommunity.org/research/let...

Hey! COME WORK HERE Job: Illinois State Lead – Save transit, Build clean energy Team: BEST TEAM IN CLIMATE POLITICS AND POLICY - @michealpodgers.bsky.social @spears.bsky.social and the rest of us at @climateaf.bsky.social Location: Remote but in Illinois Pay: $85-105k Deadline: SOON! August 4!

Illinois State Lead - Lobbyist and Strategist

Chicago, Illinois, United States

job-boards.greenhouse.io

Five seconds?! I mean, good to know I guess—but also no wonder everyone is confused about why their card isn't working

California residents: call your rep! 👇👇👇 www.movecalifornia.org/state-funding

Carter Rubin@carterrubin.com · last yr.

The state of California has a $30 billion transportation budget. Meanwhile, the state is on the verge of cutting funds for public transit. Use this tool to all your reps TODAY: www.movecalifornia.org/state-fundingc

Amazing news for clean, safe, affordable transportation in California. Two of the most effective orgs in the space joining forces. Truly love to see it!! Congrats to all involved.

Streets For All@streetsforall.org · last yr.

Huge news! We’re joining forces with @kidsafesf.bsky.social and launching @streetsforallsf.org! Both organizations will remain focused on Los Angeles and San Francisco, while using our combined muscle to work even more effectively in Sacramento. Learn more: streetsforall.org/blog/announc...

Thermostatic public opinion in action - increases in the share of Americans who say government should do more to solve problems and diversity enriches American culture

Ariel Edwards-Levy@aedwardslevy.bsky.social · last yr.

We've got some new polling out today looking at the way long-term political trends are shaking out in the current moment, as well as views of the parties. Record shares a) drawing distinction b/w parties and b) saying government should to more to solve problems www.cnn.com/2025/06/01/p...

What's better than the instantaneous camaraderie around the awkwardness of sharing an extremely full train during rush hour? Uncomfortable physical proximity, empathy in the [relatively low stakes] suffering, extremely space efficient low-carbon travel. It's got it all

For better and sometimes worse, state legislatures and transportation departments are behind the wheel of the electric bus that runs to a clean transportation future. We looked at how they're doing -- more from @carterrubin.com and our colleague Samantha Henningson here: www.nrdc.org/bio/samantha...

States Must “Drive the Bus” on Clean Transportation Solutions

Together, electric vehicles and cleaner, more affordable ways to get around can deliver the necessary pollution and emissions reductions. We need the holistic and healthy transportation system solutio...

nrdc.org

New Boiling Point podcast! This week my guest is NRDC's @carterrubin.com. We talk public transit, housing and California's opportunity to build climate-friendly cities — and why it's been so hard to overcome the political obstacles to doing so. Listen in: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Traffic, Trains and Trade-Offs

Podcast Episode · Boiling Point · 04/17/2025 · 39m

podcasts.apple.com

Golden age of American manufacturing 🤝 recreational pickleball in 2025

CA should use all the tools at its disposal—including more of its discretionary state and federal dollars—to get HSR back on track. Call the Trump admin's bluff by majorly outperforming everyone's extremely low expectations and making this critical project happen ASAP. ktla.com/news/califor...

Transportation Secretary blasts California high-speed rail spending, opens investigation

As President Donald Trump’s administration makes cuts to government programs, his head of the Department of Transportation announced that federal assistance intended for a major California tr…

ktla.com

What if CEQA applied to local zoning codes and then zoning- compliant developments were exempt? Green and brownfield projects still had to do CEQA, maybe infill projects of a certain size regardless of zoning compliance. Would also save countless hours of city council meeting time. Is this something

Ben Christopher@frombenc.bsky.social · last yr.

2025 is the Year of California "Permitting Reform," says @buffywicks.bsky.social . California lawmakers in both chambers are hammering out 20 bills to rejigger the approval process for housing projects. calmatters.org/housing/2025...

At a cafe, overheard someone recounting the most delightful and wholesome experience of rediscovering public transit (and walking) after being encouraged by their son to try electrified Caltrain. Ran a fun errand, drank a beer with lunch, avoided driving in the rain, ran into a friend. So sweet

Incredible news! The Trump administration's under 19 trans care ban has been BLOCKED in federal court via a bench temporary restraining order. The administration CANNOT withhold funds from hospitals providing trans youth care. ACLU statement here:

Legend. Leaves behind an incredible legacy!

Carter Rubin@carterrubin.com · 2y ago

Don was so generous with ideas. He’d say “See I think, if we just…” and then invite you in on some elegant natural experiment or clever policy solution, and nudge you to run with it. RIP to a great mentor.

Important insights rom Adele Gedig at the Center for Neighborhood Technology -- CNT has been at the forefront of understanding the role of compensation as a critical pillar of effective public engagement in transportation planning and policy-making: cnt.org/stories/why-...