WHEREAS, one of the ways North Carolina promotes quality of life is by providing transportation options that offer safe, reliable, and convenient access to employment, education, recreation, cultural, and social opportunities in urban and rural environments; and
WHEREAS, transportation is the second leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions in North Carolina; Executive Order No. 80: North Carolina's Commitment to Address Climate Change and Transition to a Clean Energy Economy affirms North Carolina’s commitment to reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 2005 levels by 2025; and
WHEREAS, single-occupancy vehicle usage is a major contributor to traffic-congestion, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, increased energy consumption, as well as household and business expenses; and
WHEREAS, carpooling and vanpooling, taking public transportation, teleworking from home, walking, and bicycling are inexpensive, healthy, efficient, equitable, and sustainable forms of transportation; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation brings business and government together in partnerships to find solutions that maximize the efficiency of our transportation systems and decrease single-occupancy vehicle commuting to major employer worksites, universities, and city centers; and
WHEREAS, these partnerships unite hundreds of partners, including cities and counties, businesses, local organizations, schools, and sporting groups from across the region, in raising awareness about the importance of reducing traffic congestion and increasing air quality; and
WHEREAS, GoTriangle provides public transportation options throughout the Triangle region; during the pandemic, its Regional Employer Services provided immediate assistance to companies transitioning to new work arrangements and quickly instituted increased safety measures and new sanitation protocols to keep frontline and essential workers safe; and
WHEREAS, GoTriangle’s GoPerks Commuter Incentive Program has encouraged many individuals to choose commute options, resulting in a reduction in greenhouse gases by 3.7 million pounds since 2016; the GoPerks Golden Modes Awards Ceremony celebrates individuals and organizations who have successfully demonstrated the positive impacts of using sustainable commuting options;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 20 – 26, 2021, as “COMMUTER OPTIONS AWARENESS AND RECOGNITION WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.