Transportation
In order to become climate resilient, U.S. islands need sustainable and affordable transportation options that reduce emissions and ensure safe and reliable movement of goods and people on islands and between the islands and the mainland.
Transportation between islands and the mainland remains inconsistent and unpredictable in many island communities, and transportation on an island often relies on vehicles with high emissions, such as those running on diesel. Without dependable transportation to and from the mainland, islands are unable to access basic goods and services, limiting their ability to become climate resilient. Reliable and consistent ferry and plane services to and from islands would ensure that these basic services are not disrupted. Disruptions in transportation could impact the movement of goods, access to food, and operations of mail services, which could cause island communities to become even more vulnerable and isolated. When ferry and plane services are inconsistent, island communities cannot effectively conduct day to day business or plan for the future.
Many of the vehicles and vessels currently in operation in island communities are not fuel efficient and run on diesel. Reliance on antiquated vehicles and vessels holds islands back, tethering them to fossil fuels. In addition, islands struggle to remove old, outdated, and non-working vehicles and vessels because the cost of removal off the island is so high. Other challenges include the costs associated with updating infrastructure in isolated and remote islands, raising the total cost of projects that require transportation fees. Federal government policies must recognize the unique challenges islands face when transitioning their transportation systems to become more fuel and energy efficient and support them in establishing programs that take their remote geographies into account.
The following transportation related federal policy recommendations will help U.S. islands achieve climate resilience:
Work directly with island communities to inventory the transportation infrastructure needs of island communities both on-island and to and from the mainland.
Create collaborative working groups with participants from the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Commerce, and other relevant federal agencies, with participation by island community representatives, to address the transportation needs of island communities.
Authorize and appropriate funding for consistent and reliable ferry and plane service to remote islands.
Protect critical federal funding and support for the Essential Air Service Program to ensure island communities have consistent and reliable air transportation service.
Prioritize U.S. Postal Service funding to service remote communities, like islands, to ensure these essential services remain in place and consistent, because many island ferry services are subsidized by the United States Postal Service.
Develop effective funding mechanisms to incentivize and support the transition to energy efficient and electric vehicles and ferries on island communities, including programs that help island communities remove antiquated vessels and vehicles off the island.