The Patrick Administration Announces the Massachusetts Clean Air Challenge

Boston -- September 22nd -26th, 2014 -- The Patrick Administration is encouraging Massachusetts commuters to shift their mode and try bicycling, walking, public transit, carpooling, or vanpooling during the Massachusetts Clean Air Challenge (formerly Massachusetts Car-Free Week). With the underlying theme of shift your mode, Massachusetts joins over 1,000 cities in 40 countries across the globe in an effort to showcase the community, financial, and environmental benefits of reducing automobile emissions by reducing the number of vehicles on the road with an entire week dedicated to green commuting.

“By taking greener modes of transportation, we can all be part of a collective effort to reduce the number of cars on the road,” said Governor Patrick.

Last year, during this week, Massachusetts communities reduced 214 tons of automobile emissions by choosing a green commute option. Nationwide, transportation-related emissions, equate to 28% of the greenhouse gas emissions released in our air (Source:http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/sources/transportation.ht…). This year, Massachusetts is challenged to reduce even more tons of automobile emissions alongside reducing the amount of cars on our roads.

“Massachusetts leads by example in many ways, and the Massachusetts Clean Air Challenge is a component of the innovation that allows us to succeed by working together to provide cleaner air for the Commonwealth,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey. “Together, we can contribute to a reduction in our statewide emissions as well as in our national emissions.”

MassDOT, in partnership with MassRIDES and MassCommute, will reward those who take green modes of transportation during the Massachusetts Clean Air Challenge. Participants are encouraged to record their green trips in NuRide, the statewide ridematching system which is also the nation’s largest rewards program for individuals who take greener trips. Raffle winners will be selected daily through NuRide.

“The Massachusetts Clean Air Challenge is a great time to remind commuters and travelers about NuRide to get rewards for their green commutes,” said Julie Prange Wallerce, MassCommute Executive Director. “It’s a free program, and it’s easy to use. Not only can you reward yourself with great local and national discounts by using NuRide all year-long, but you can also see your own environmental impact by choosing to take a green trip – individuals and employers can see how they’re contributing to our cleaner air!”

For those looking to green their commute, event co-organizers, MassRIDES and MassCommute, can help you find ways to change your commute thus saving money in your wallets and saving emissions from entering our air.

“Whether you’re interested in using NuRide to find a rideshare partner, looking for resources to utilize transit, or looking to increase potential for bike commuters at your worksite, our teams are here to help,” said Kristin Slaton, MassRIDES Director. “We extend our service statewide and welcome commuters and employers to connect with us, whatever your transportation needs may be.”

MassDOT’s participation in the Massachusetts Clean Air Challenge supports GreenDOT, a comprehensive environmental responsibility and sustainability initiative of MassDOT. GreenDOT calls for MassDOT to incorporate sustainability into all of its activities, from strategic planning to project design and construction to system operation. The GreenDOT policy initiative includes greenhouse gas reduction targets mandated under the Global Warming Solutions Act, signed by Governor Deval Patrick in 2008. This law requires an economy-wide 2020 emissions reduction mandate of 25 percent, the first step toward a required 80 percent reduction by 2050. The transportation sector generates more than one-third of the total greenhouse gas emissions produced in Massachusetts.

“The Patrick Administration has some of the most aggressive greenhouse gas reduction targets in the nation and everyone can play a part in helping us achieve these targets,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett. “The Massachusetts Clean Air Challenge is a great opportunity not only to help reduce the emission of harmful pollutants, but to take the stress out of the commute by hopping on a train or walking to work.”

Every September 22, cities and towns around the world come together to promote car-free travel. The Massachusetts Clean Air Challenge encompasses World Car-Free Day, which began in Europe and has quickly spread to communities globally as a way to promote the environmental, financial, community, and health benefits of using public transportation, carpooling, bicycling, and walking. This year, World Car-Free Day falls on the Monday of the Challenge, September 22nd.

For more information about the Massachusetts Clean Air Challenge, visit www.commute.com/cleanair or email jill.porazzo@dot.state.ma.us.

Find the Massachusetts Clean Air Challengeon Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cleanairchallenge and follow us on Twitter using #MACleanAir.

For more information about GreenDOT and for transportation news and updates visit the MassDOT website, www.mass.gov/massdot, blog: http://www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.

For more information about MassRIDES, the Statewide Travel Options Program, visit http://www.commute.com, http://www.facebook.com/massrides or follow MassRIDES on twitter at www.twitter.com/massrides.

For more information about MassCommute, the Massachusetts Transportation Management Associations, visit www.masscommute.com or follow MassCommute on twitter at www.twitter.com/masscommute.

In 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) was created to unify the state’s various transportation agencies. MassDOT now includes the Highway Division, the MBTA and Rail Transit Division, the Aeronautics Division, and the Registry of Motor Vehicles. MassDOT is committed to providing a safe and reliable transportation system to all those who travel in the Commonwealth and works to deliver excellent customer service. MassDOT has been nationally recognized for its innovative approach to transportation, including the Accelerated Bridge Program, the “Where’s My Bus and Train?” apps and “Fast 14” work. For more information, visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot blog: http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/, or follow MassDOT on twitter at https://twitter.com/MassDOT and Facebook at www.facebook.com/massdotinfo.