Policy Advocacy

As federal and state governments work to bring American infrastructure up to 21st century standards, we must ensure sustainable travel projects are given equal access to federal grant programs. This includes leveraging the Department of Transportation’s Mega Grant Program to fund national and regional projects that enable more sustainable travel, as well as tapping DOT’s charging and fueling infrastructure grant programs to accelerate the deployment of EV charging infrastructure at popular travel destinations. It also requires accessing U.S. DOT grant programs aimed at developing advanced technologies and innovations in mobility. Approaching sustainable travel as an integral part of infrastructure upgrades is a sensible use of tax dollars that will deliver strong economic growth.

Federal tax policy plays an important role in the transition to a sustainable, growing economy. That’s why vital clean energy and energy efficiency tax incentives must be supported with measures that improve access and market stability. Such incentives include:

• The Section 40B Tax Credit for Sustainable Aviation Fuel
• The Section 45Z Tax Credit for Clean Fuel Production
• The Section 30C Tax Credit for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
• The Section 45W Tax Credit for Commercial Clean Vehicles
• The Section 179D Tax Deduction for Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings

These tax credits will help significantly improve sustainable air and land transportation and make travel infrastructure more energy efficient.

Working with America’s trade partners, we can lower the cost of products that enable travel businesses and organizations to reduce their carbon footprint. It’s important that the proposed Environmental Goods Agreement, and similar trade agreements, apply to the types of products that travel companies will depend on to provide more sustainable travel options. Increasing access and reducing costs on these items will create a more favorable marketplace for environmental goods, increase investments in sustainability, and stimulate innovation in emerging clean technologies.

Public-private partnerships can help usher in a more sustainable future. Collaborations between private companies, public universities and national laboratories are advancing basic research today that will produce the emissions-reducing technologies of the future at scale. Therefore our nation must support public-private investments in carbon capture and storage, direct air capture, green hydrogen and other innovative technologies to lower the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and travel mobility.

Our natural attractions are national treasures – a symbol of America’s beauty and history, and an inspiration to millions of visitors eager to learn more about our country. That’s why we must ensure federal investments protect and restore our natural attractions, including recreational waterways, shorelines, and National Parks. Yet too often, maintenance budgets fall woefully short of the requirements to keep these attractions pristine. Federal investments to protect and preserve these sites will sustain them for future generations to enjoy, mitigate the effects of climate change where possible, and keep them attractive for visitors who contribute to the economy and support travel jobs.