Energy

Overview

Energy and climate change are closely intertwined, especially for the transportation sector.  There are very strong reasons for reducing U.S. fossil fuel energy consumption, reducing U.S. reliance on foreign oil imports (currently at about 56 percent foreign reliance), and reducing U.S. energy costs (including the transfer of U.S. energy payments to foreign countries, many of which are adverse to U.S. interests). 

For the most part, efforts to meet these energy goals also will reduce transportation’s greenhouse gas emissions – and vice versa.  Below is a partial list of strategies that could support energy goals and also reduce greenhouse gases: 

  • More energy efficient vehicles;
  • Low carbon fuels;
  • Ridesharing, telework, and other strategies to moderate vehicle miles traveled;
  • Energy efficient operations (eco-driving, traffic signal optimization, 45-55 miles-per-hour speeds, congestion reduction, etc.); and
  • More energy efficient construction and maintenance practices.

In states where there is skepticism about climate change science and policies, the public and elected officials may be much more supportive of policies and programs to reduce transportation energy costs and reliance on imported oil for transportation. 

This Energy topic of the AASHTO Transportation and Climate Change Resource Center website contains links to reports and other resources on energy, including transportation energy conservation opportunities.

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