As Americans and Midwesterners, we love our automobiles. But that dependence carries a big price tag for the economy, our public health, and the environment.

Every day, Americans use 20 million barrels of oil to fuel their gasoline consumption. As the easy-to-reach supplies dwindle, rising fuel prices are emptying our wallets and compromising global security. Pollution from cars and trucks fills our skies and damages our lungs; automobile use drives the urban sprawl that is consuming our Midwestern landscape at an alarming rate; and our cars create part of the pollution that leads to global warming.  We need a 21st century transportation system that meets the needs of our growing state while supporting the transition to a clean energy economy.

Fresh Energy pursues innovative transportation policies that will help to speed the transition.

Our Work
From encouraging use of public transit and hybrid-electric vehicles, to promoting smarter and better patterns of development, we assertively push legislators and regulators to promote safer, more healthful transportation options. Here's what we're doing to accomplish those efforts.

• Effective Travel Choices - Minnesotans need more and better public transit systems as well as safe and attractive biking and walking options. Fresh Energy advocates for policies that decrease our dependence on automobiles.
• Growth with Vision - We're working with communities to plan for their futures to lessen energy demand, minimize sprawl, and support public transit, bicycling, and walking as part of an inter-connected transportation system that promotes active, healthy lifestyles.
• Fix It First - Transportation funds are limited. State transportation agencie's first priority should be maintaining existing roads and bridges in good repair and improving safety. Lower cost approaches to solving congestion should be funded before major highway expansions or new roads.

Legislative Victories
In 2008, Fresh Energy and its allies supported the bill ensuring investment in transit planning and helped broker a deal to keep the Central Corridor light rail transit line moving forward. Read more about our transportation policy victories.

Future Directions
Fresh Energy will push for coordinated multi-state transportation policy and for transportation performance accountability, including firm targets and timelines for reduction of global warming pollution. We will advocate for cleaner car standards and cleaner fuels and for funding priorities that assure development and operation of efficient public transit systems and services, complete streets that safely accommodate travel for bicyclists and pedestrians as well as drivers, as well as high-speed intercity trains for passengers and freight.