WHEREAS, transportation choice improves quality of life by uplifting transportation alternatives that provide safe, sustainable, and convenient access to communities, jobs, and schools throughout North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 246 recognizes the harm from climate change disproportionately impacts people of color, low-income communities, and those who have the fewest resources to adapt and access responsible solutions to climate change; and Executive Order No. 80, North Carolina's Commitment To Address Climate Change And Transition To A Clean Energy Economy, sets goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and
WHEREAS, reducing GHG emissions and increasing resilience to climate change strengthens and diversifies North Carolina's economy through job growth, consumer savings, technology development, increased economic activity, improved public health, and reduced climate change impacts, offering opportunities for economic growth and consumer savings; and
WHEREAS, Session Law 1999-328 set a goal for the State of North Carolina to reduce the growth of vehicle miles traveled in the state by at least 25 percent of that growth that would otherwise occur since 2009; and
WHEREAS, including the expansive growth in population, the results of collaborative commute-based efforts have annually exceeded the goal of 25 percent reduction in commuter vehicle miles traveled and reductions in associated greenhouse gases since funding began in 2009;
WHEREAS, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, these efforts provided employer and employee support in continuing transportation options and assistance in transitioning to full-time telework, returning to the office workplace, and developing hybrid work arrangements; and
WHEREAS, Triangle Transportation Choices and transportation demand management programs at Triangle transit agencies, universities, and municipalities have collaborated to provide free consulting services to local businesses and corporations; programming to students, faculty, and staff; and outreach and marketing with community organizations and the public; and
WHEREAS, the Triangle’s Regional Golden Modes Ceremony celebrates transportation demand management successes of individuals and organizations who have demonstrated the positive impacts of sustainable commuting by using transit, carpool, vanpool, biking, walking, or teleworking, reducing greenhouse gases by 576 million pounds;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 11 – 17, 2023, as “TRANSPORTATION CHOICE AWARENESS WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.