(Scypre.com) – The White House has just announced new rules for government employees when they’re on official trips. They want workers to use eco-friendly transportation, like electric cars and trains, to help fight climate change. President Biden believes this will set a good example for everyone.
Last year, government workers took more than 2.8 million flights, rented 2.3 million vehicles, and went on 33,000 train trips. The White House says these changes will not only benefit the environment but also create more jobs and make our communities healthier. In a statement, they mentioned, “These operational changes will accelerate the clean transportation transformation, increase good-paying union jobs, and create healthier communities.”
President Biden’s big plan, called the Federal Sustainability Plan, aims to have the government produce zero emissions by 2050, with a 65% reduction by 2030. To achieve this, new guidelines tell government workers to prioritize sustainable transportation for official and local travel, both within the country and internationally.
Under these guidelines, government employees must choose an electric vehicle (EV) for official travel if it costs the same or less than a regular gas-powered vehicle. They’re also encouraged to use EVs when taking taxis and ride-shares if they’re not more expensive. For trips less than 250 miles, workers are directed to take the train instead of driving or flying. Additionally, local travel must be done using public transportation.
The White House believes that these changes will not only save taxpayer money but also reduce pollution that harms people’s health and contributes to the climate crisis. Companies like Hertz and Uber are stepping up to help the government reach its goals. Hertz is committing to substantially increase EV rentals for corporate travelers next year, while Uber is expanding its “green curb at airports” program to encourage riders to choose environmentally friendly options.
California’s state government has also pledged to issue guidance within the next six months to encourage its employees to opt for EV options when on official travel, showing that this initiative is gaining support beyond federal efforts.
President Biden has been pushing for a greener future since he took office in 2021. He set a goal that 50% of all cars bought by the government should be electric by 2030. To encourage the transition to electric vehicles, the government has been working on various regulations that provide incentives for manufacturers to produce more zero-carbon options and for consumers to make the switch.
For example, in April, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the most aggressive federal tailpipe emissions rules ever crafted for light- and medium-duty vehicles. If finalized, it could lead to a significant increase in electric vehicle purchases by 2032, according to projections by the White House.
In July, the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also issued its most aggressive fuel economy standards ever, although critics argue that it might increase consumer costs.
During a recent speech, President Biden highlighted the progress, saying, “We’re transforming clean energy development that’s [creating] good-paying jobs, including union jobs, in all of America. We’ve already attracted over half a tri- — we’ve attracted half a trillion dollars — a half of trillion dollars in private sector investment for my Investing in America agenda in clean energy and advanced manufacturing. We’re just getting — and we’re just getting started. And we really are. We’re just getting started.” This emphasizes the administration’s commitment to a sustainable future and the belief that they are making significant strides in that direction.