WHEREAS, Philadelphia aims to become a national leader in clean transportation, including the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles which run on electricity and natural gas. An important factor in achieving this goal is the availability and accessibility of clean transportation infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, On June 6, 2017, State Representative Marguerite Quinn of Bucks County introduced House Bill No. 1446, also known as the Pennsylvania Clean Transportation Infrastructure Act. The bill was referred to the Committee on Transportation, chaired by State Representative John Taylor of Philadelphia County; and
WHEREAS, This legislation establishes a state goal of expanding electric transportation usage in Pennsylvania by at least 50% over baseline forecasts by 2030. In pursuit of this, the bill directs the development of regional transportation plans for electric vehicle usage, which would greatly assist the Greater Philadelphia region; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, the bill requires electric utilities, such as PECO, to submit infrastructure investment proposals based on these regional frameworks to help implement an effective charging infrastructure in a cost-efficient manner. Additionally, statewide interstate and Turnpike fast electric and natural gas refueling networks will be implemented; and
WHEREAS, House Bill No. 1446 will help Philadelphia and Pennsylvania as a whole to make its transportation systems cleaner and more efficient while advancing its energy, environmental and economic development goals through planned, strategic investment in clean transportation infrastructure. Without well-planned infrastructure to address these concerns, Pennsylvania will lag behind other states that have made a commitment to promoting their usage; and
WHEREAS, House Bill No. 1446 represents a well-developed consensus approach to infrastructure development that will move Pennsylvania to the leading edge of alternative vehicle adoption. It also includes provisions that will support transformational investments in our transit, port, and aviation sectors that will drive job creation and cleaner air in our communities; and
WHEREAS, As the City of Philadelphia enhances its efforts to encourage adoption of alternative fuel vehicles, legislation such as House Bill No. 1446 will build a stronger regional infrastructure network to transform Philadelphia into a hub for clean transportation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we urge the Pennsylvania General Assembly to adopt House Bill No. 1446, the Clean Transportation Infrastructure Networks Act, to promote well-planned clean transportation infrastructure.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly Committee on Transportation.
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