Transportation is the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions in both the State of Maryland and in the larger United States. Not only does tailpipe pollution contribute to heat-trapping climate change, but it also threatens the clean air that Marylanders breathe. 

Clean transportation policy is key to addressing these issues and the America Is All In coalition is helping drive those policies forward in Maryland. The coalition’s unique “all-of-society” approach has been critical to mobilizing support in the Old Line State for proposed bills and an enacted executive order to expand healthy transportation choices for residents and businesses. 

From breakthrough analysis to impactful convenings and compelling testimony, our members play many critical roles in accelerating Maryland’s climate leadership.

Photo courtesy of Maryland Sierra Club, which led the advocacy coalition behind the "TCA"

For example, All In partners and members were a part of the research, community engagement, and advocacy that spurred the introduction of the Transportation and Climate Alignment (TCA) Act, which would go on to be featured in AP News and to inform Governor Wes Moore’s recent executive order on climate solutions. 

The bill, first introduced in January 2024, called for expanded investment in public transit, bike and pedestrian infrastructure while also requiring improved accountability for projects that increase pollution and commuter costs. 

According to polling by the MD Sierra Club, a whopping 78% of Marylanders support investing in more transportation choices to offset pollution from large projects.

Members across the state testified in support of cleaner ways to get around

From faith groups to main street institutions, Maryland All In members were deeply engaged in advocacy calling for clean transportation policy in Annapolis. In fact, multiple members submitted testimony in support of the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act: 

The National Aquarium

“About a third of our staff rely on modes of transport other than individual motor vehicles for commuting to work… modernizing our transportation infrastructure will not only yield positive environmental outcomes, but will improve public health, shorten commutes, and reduce transportation costs for Marylanders.”

Archdiocese of Baltimore

“The provisions of [the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act] are responsive to the challenges of building a strong, dependable, less-polluting, and equitable transportation system, consistent with the moral call to action that is part of Catholic social teaching.”

City of Rockville, Maryland

“The Rockville Mayor and Council and the City’s Environment Commission unanimously support this legislation, which seeks to align Maryland’s transportation investments with its climate goals”

Center for Global Sustainability charted the course to clean mobility

You can’t manage what you don’t measure, which is why the Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) at the University of Maryland partnered with the Maryland Department of the Environment to model a feasible, implementable pathway to achieve Maryland’s ambitious climate goals under the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022. This report was delivered to the state of Maryland and informed the Maryland’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan released in 2023. CGS, an All In coalition partner, completed an economy-wide analysis of the full set of strategies needed to achieve the state’s ambitious Climate Solutions Now Act goals. 

As a result of the detailed path laid out by CGS, lawmakers in Annapolis directly cited CGS’ model in the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2025 as a way to set annual, data-driven targets for Maryland’s Department of Transportation.

RMI drove the conversation forward with cost savings and policy expertise

After being cited in news coverage pointing out that Maryland was behind on its clean transportation goals, All In coalition partner RMI testified about the benefits of expanding clean transportation choices through state policy. Using its Smarter MODES tool, RMI found that the average Maryland household would save over $3,000 per year in vehicle fuel, maintenance, and depreciation costs if the state succeeded in achieving its climate and mode shift goals.

The RMI Smarter MODES Calculator projects the cost-savings and other co-benefits of increased transportation choices. The tool was cited frequently during policy discussions.

Leveraging experience learned in Minnesota, RMI partnered with the Maryland Department of Transportation and other key stakeholders in an informal legislative working group to improve technical aspects of the Act. The final policy product ultimately won the state agency’s endorsement in 2025.

Ceres made the business case for sustainable transportation

Ikea. Nestle. Siemens. These are just a few of the businesses that All In coalition partner Ceres brought to the table to support clean transportation strategies in Maryland. After mobilizing private sector support for the state’s clean truck standards which passed in 2023, Ceres convened briefings with local companies and governor’s staff to talk about the economic advantages of climate smart policy, including the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act. With many of these policies, such as clean truck standards, being re-considered, it’s important now more than ever that Maryland voices from all sectors of society come to the table to defend our climate progress.

Governor Leads the Way with Executive Order

Carrying forward the momentum generated by the All In’s all of society approach, Maryland Governor and U.S. Climate Alliance member Wes Moore issued an executive order advancing several of the key provisions in the proposed Transportation and Climate Alignment Act. These directives included:

1) Evaluating the states full transportation plan for greenhouse gas pollution impacts; and,

2) Identifying specific, annual greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled targets.       

Photo courtesy of the Maryland Office of the Governor

In a press release about the order, Gov. Moore shared “Climate action is about more than avoiding disaster. It’s about growing opportunity.” 

Although the executive order advances many important clean transportation priorities, there is still work to be done. Advocates plan to continue fighting for the passage of the full Transportation and Climate Alignment Act in 2026. Even amid challenging headwinds, Maryland members of the America Is All In coalition will continue to demonstrate their impact unlocking the benefits of climate smart, affordable transportation choices.