News

November 7, 2024 | From City of New Orleans

** UPDATE** Help Shape New Orleans’ Electric Future: City Hosts Public Meetings & Launches Survey on Electric Transportation Roadmap

The City of New Orleans, led by the Office of Resilience & Sustainability, invites residents to attend a series of public meetings scheduled for Nov. 12 - 14 to learn about and provide input on the City’s Electric Transportation Roadmap. These community meetings are a critical part of the City’s effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance towards the ambitious goals of the City’s Climate Action Plan.

A public survey will be open from Oct. 31 through Nov. 27 to collect more feedback. Residents’ feedback will directly shape the development of the Electric Transportation Roadmap, a blueprint for creating a more sustainable, equitable, and modern transportation system.

“This is a unique opportunity for every New Orleanian to help design the clean and efficient transportation system our city deserves, while also aligning this plan with the City’s larger climate action goals,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “Whether you’re already using electric vehicles or just curious about the future of transportation, your input is vital to ensuring that our roadmap reflects the needs of everyone in our community.”

“Since taking office, I have led initiatives to ensure New Orleanians receive the quality of life they deserve,” said Councilmember Lesli Harris, District B.  “One of which was securing funds for the electric transportation roadmap. As climate change continues to impact our environment, finding long-term solutions to lower carbon emissions is pivotal. This roadmap will help us decrease the effects of natural disasters and biodiversity loss that often influence the trajectory of local tourism and economic growth. To create a more climate-resilient New Orleans, community input is vital to ensure the electric transportation roadmap's success." 

 

A Path to a Greener and Fairer Future

The Electric Transportation Roadmap aims to not only lower emissions but also bring tangible economic and social benefits to the city. As transportation reform is crucial to reducing the City’s greenhouse-gas emissions by 50 percent by 2035, the roadmap will support key initiatives like workforce development to support a growing electrified transportation landscape in the City. With the global electric vehicle (EV) market projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030, this initiative will position New Orleans to take advantage of new economic opportunities, create jobs, and foster local business growth.

“New Orleans is on the frontlines of climate change, and we must act now to ensure a livable future for all of our residents,” said Greg Nichols, Deputy Chief Resilience Officer for the City of New Orleans. “The Electric Transportation Roadmap is about making real changes that will provide cleaner, more accessible transportation options for everyone – whether you own a car or rely on public transit. By working together, we can build a transportation system that not only reduces emissions but also improves the daily lives of people across our city.”

Public Input is Critical to Success

The City is committed to ensuring that historically underserved communities have a strong voice in shaping the plan. Input from residents - whether they own an electric vehicle, rely on public transit, or are unfamiliar with electrification - will help build a transportation system that benefits all New Orleans residents.

"The series of in-person community meetings and the online survey give every resident the chance to be a part of a transformative plan for our city," said Matthew Rufo, Transportation Policy & Program Manager at the Office of Resilience & Sustainability. "By gathering input from across the city, we can make sure the roadmap is both inclusive and forward-looking."

The community meetings will take place on Nov.12, 13, and 14 at locations across the city. Each session will offer residents the chance to interact with experts working on the Roadmap, learn about future plans, and contribute their thoughts.

In-Person Meetings Schedule:

Tuesday, Nov. 12

Time: 5:30 P.M. – 6:45 P.M.

Location: East New Orleans Regional Library

5641 Read Boulevard New Orleans, LA 70127

 

Wednesday, Nov. 13

Time: 5:30 P.M. – 6:45 P.M.

REVISED Location: Morris F.X. Jeff Sr. Recreation Center

2529 General Meyer Ave New Orleans, LA 70114

 

Thursday, Nov. 14

Time: 5:30 P.M. – 6:45 P.M.

Location: Milton H. Latter Memorial Library

5120 St. Charles Ave. New Orleans, LA 70115

Online Survey:

Residents can access the survey here and are encouraged to share it with friends, family, and neighbors.

  • Survey Dates: Oct. 31 - Nov. 27
  • Languages Available: English, Spanish, and Vietnamese
  • Deadline: Nov. 27

Get Involved and Stay Informed

Community leaders, organizations, and media outlets are urged to help spread the word and encourage as many people as possible to participate. The in-person meeting feedback and survey results will not only guide the development of the Electric Transportation Roadmap but also shape future outreach and engagement efforts.