Buttigieg’s USDOT Priorities to Include Climate, Jobs, Safety

Pete Buttigieg speaks after being introduced by Joe Biden as his pick for secretary of transportation. On CNN, Buttigieg said the country needs to ensure infrastructure is severe-weather resilient. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool via Associated Press

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An agenda focused on climate change initiatives, expanding the workforce and maintaining safety will be among the priorities for Pete Buttigieg, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to become secretary of transportation.

Speaking with CNN, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., emphasized the need to act urgently to ensure the country’s infrastructure is resilient to severe-weather events. He also pointed to potential economic benefits from technological advancements across the mobility grid.

“Americans shouldn’t settle for less than our peers around the developed world when it comes to the infrastructure resources that we really count on,” Buttigieg said Dec. 20. “So, when I think about the opportunities ahead, I’m thinking about jobs and economic opportunity. I’m thinking about climate. And there’s no way we’re going to do what we must do as a country unless we move the transportation sector forward.”

A bipartisan effort to build back better through a major investment in our infrastructure isn't just possible—it's necessary. pic.twitter.com/0pcBYF5gos — Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) December 20, 2020

“Look at what America is capable of on everything from electric vehicle production to what we could be doing with our power infrastructure. The opportunity is huge,” he continued.

As presidential candidates, Biden and Buttigieg outlined multitrillion dollar proposals aimed at upgrading much of the transportation landscape. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Buttigieg would succeed Elaine Chao.

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