Advanced BioFuels USA

(Transportation and Climate Initiative/Georgetown Climate Center)  The bipartisan group of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic jurisdictions that make up the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) today invited public input on a new draft proposal for a regional program to establish a cap on global warming pollution from transportation fuels and invest millions annually to achieve additional benefits through reduced emissions, cleaner transportation, healthier communities, and more resilient infrastructure.

The draft “Memorandum of Understanding” (Draft MOU) released today builds on a program framework made public on October 1, 2019. A final MOU is expected in the Spring of 2020, following additional public input and analysis. At that time each of the 12 TCI states and the District of Columbia will decide whether to sign the final MOU and participate in the regional program, which could be operational by 2022.

People and organizations provided extensive feedback on the earlier draft framework in more than 1,200 submissions to TCI’s online portal, as well as in public engagement sessions organized in individual states. The Draft MOU released today has been informed by that input and incorporates additional details on the goals and mechanics of such a program.

TCI jurisdictions are also sharing initial projections of the potential economic and public health benefits such a program would unlock region-wide. The TCI jurisdictions have conducted economic modeling to evaluate various options for a program that caps and reduces global-warming carbon dioxide pollution from combustion of gasoline and on-road diesel fuel by up to 25 percent compared to 2022 levels over 10 years.

The transportation sector is currently responsible for more than 40 percent of climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions in the region, and soot and smog from cars and trucks are major contributors to lung disease and other health problems region-wide, particularly in low income communities. Preliminary modeling estimates that by 2032, the proposed program could yield monetized annual public health benefits of as much as $10 billion, including over 1,000 fewer premature deaths, and over 1,300 fewer asthma symptoms annually region-wide, among other safety and health benefits.

The associated auction of pollution allowances under the proposal is projected to generate up to nearly $7 billion annually that participating jurisdictions could invest in solutions to further reduce pollution and to improve transportation choices for rural, urban and suburban communities. Each participating jurisdiction will decide how to invest the auction proceeds to support TCI program goals.

TCI jurisdictions encourage people, companies, organizations, and communities to provide their input on the modeling findings and draft MOU to inform the final program design. Feedback is welcomed on all aspects of a potential program, and TCI jurisdictions are highlighting specific topics on which public input is of particular interest. Those topics include:

• What factors should TCI jurisdictions consider when setting the starting level and the trajectory for a regional cap on carbon dioxide emissions from transportation fuels?
• How should the compliance period be structured to provide needed flexibility, while ensuring environmental integrity?
• What factors should TCI jurisdictions consider when designing mechanisms for managing uncertainty regarding future emissions and allowance prices?

Read the full Draft MOU

All interested parties are asked to provide their input by Friday, February 28, 2020.

Organizations and businesses respond to TCI Draft MOU release (Transportation and Climate Initiative)

MODELING: REGIONAL CAP-AND-TRADE PROGRAM BENEFICIAL: (Politico’s Morning Energy)

Transportation and Climate Initiative Agreement to Deliver Northeast At Least $1.4 Billion in Transit System Investment (Massachusetts Department of Transportation)

Excerpts from Transportation and Climate Initiative: 

Steven Hershkowitz, Maryland Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network

“While we’re glad that Maryland and other TCI states are moving in this direction, today they announced an emissions reduction target of just 25 percent by 2032, well short of the 45 percent that is needed. We ran out of time for half-solutions to the climate crisis long ago. If the Hogan Administration wants to truly walk the walk on climate, they need to work with other states to reach a stronger commitment.”

Jonah Kurman-Faber, Senior Research Associate, Climate Xchange

“Climate XChange believes that the severity of the climate crisis necessitates swift action and bold leadership in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. The states need a plan to achieve a 40% to 45% reduction in transportation emissions by 2032 — putting us on a path to achieve an 80% reduction in emissions by 2050. We look forward to the following discussions on how TCI, along with complementary policies, can be finalized to maximize impact and equity.” 

Coalition for Smarter Growth

“Our state, regional and local governments can take swift action through TCI to fund transit, affordable fares, transit-oriented development, and affordable housing near transit to maximize reduction in greenhouse gas emissions AND achieve social equity goals for affordable housing and transportation, and improved access to opportunity.”

…

Michelle Romero, National Director, Green For All

“It’s a work in progress. States are still figuring out how to design this program in a way that meets the needs of the region’s disproportionately impacted communities. That’s why Green For All delivered a robust toolkit to states last week with detailed recommendations for how to do this right.”   READ MORE