NRDC Scorecard Highlights Winning State Transportation Policies

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new scorecard ranking state transportation policies highlights the ways they can drive progress by building a system that provides convenient, affordable and clean travel options for all.  

“States have always led on transportation policy, but their role is more important now with the Trump administration moving federal transportation policies back to the bad old days of gridlock and pollution,”  said Samantha Henningson, senior transportation advocate at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “Given the harmful direction from Washington, it’s more important now than ever before that state transportation policies deliver for their residents.”  

The scorecard, Getting Transportation Right: Second Edition, ranks states three years after the passage of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provided a record amount of new funding for bridges, roads, bike infrastructure, and public transportation. State policies and spending decisions are much more important now, as the Trump administration is moving in catastrophic and illegal ways to block funding for crucial infrastructure like electric vehicle charging stations.  

“Progress will fundamentally depend on whether states choose to spend their transportation dollars on new road and highway expansion projects that will increase carbon emissions and air pollution while leaving drivers trapped in interminable traffic—or on clean and equitable solutions for all,” said Henningson, who also served as the report’s project manager. “This report shows which states are leading the way.”   

The report tallies 21 separate metrics to grade and rank all the states and the District of Columbia on their comprehensive plans to deliver sustainable and equitable transportation. These areas include electric vehicle and e-bike rebate programs; emissions reduction goals and outcomes; road maintenance prioritization; investment in transit and bicycle or pedestrian projects; and clean car standards.   

The top-ranked states are:  

1. Vermont
2. California
3. Oregon
4. Washington
5. Maryland
6. Colorado
7. Massachusetts
8. Washington, D.C.
9. Rhode Island
10. New York 

In contrast, the 10 states doing the least to improve equity and climate outcomes from the transportation sector are: 

51. Texas 

50. Kansas 

49. Arkansas 

48. South Carolina 

47. Wisconsin 

46. Mississippi 

45. Nebraska 

44. Idaho 

43. Louisiana 

42. Kentucky 

“Even without the current actions of the Trump administration, too many states are using the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund projects that will not reduce emissions or improve access to affordable clean modes of transportation,” Henningson said.  

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).