Climate Mayors Sends Letter on Shaping the Department of Transportation’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Infrastructure (ARPA-I) Passed in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Dear Secretary Buttigieg and Acting Assistant Secretary Hampshire:

Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the program design and implementation of the potential research and development areas for the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Infrastructure (ARPA-I) passed in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). As an organization that represents a bipartisan network of over 350 Mayors committed to climate action, our members recognize and believe this innovative structure within the Department of Transportation (DOT) will help realize our infrastructure, transportation, and climate ambitions. We appreciate the Administration’s efforts to request feedback on potential research and development areas for ARPA-I that will inevitably support innovation in the transportation sector – which is not only the largest greenhouse gas (GHG) source in the U.S. but is the leading source of emissions in cities across the country.

In general, our organization provides the following recommendations in response to potential areas for research and development for APRA-I:

•  Ensure consistency in reporting of GHG emissions across potential research and development areas for ARPA-I.

•  Integrate recommendations from the White House Climate-Smart Infrastructure Interagency Working Group (CSI IWG) to ensure best practices across APRA-I Implementation

• Prioritize research and development opportunities that align climate resilience with improving and electrifying all modes of transportation.

Read the full letter and recommendations therein HERE.

Signed,

Kate Wright, Executive Director, Climate Mayors