TCI Jurisdictions Share Updates on Policy Design Process

October 01, 2019

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(Transportation and Climate Initiative/Georgetown Climate Center) Jurisdictions participating in the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) have made available a framework for a draft regional policy proposal to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from transportation, and are encouraging interested individuals and organizations to provide feedback on the draft framework through the TCI portal. This high-level framework represents an important milestone in the jurisdictions’ bipartisan regional collaboration this year, and reflects extensive public engagement, technical analysis and consultation. A draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) building on the framework is anticipated in December of 2019. After considering further public input, a final MOU is expected in the Spring of 2020, at which point each jurisdiction will decide whether to sign the final MOU and participate in the regional program. TCI jurisdictions encourage all interested parties to provide input and feedback on the draft framework in writing via the online portal on the TCI website. Feedback on the draft framework is most helpful if received by November 5.

View the Framework for a Draft Regional Policy Proposal

The TCI jurisdictions also shared additional detail on the timeline for the TCI regional policy development process for the remainder of 2019 and 2020, including additional opportunities for public input and feedback.

October 1, 2019 – Release of framework for a draft regional policy proposal
October/November 2019 – Gather and consider public input on framework
December 2019 – Release of a regional policy proposal in the form of a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), accompanied by modeling results that estimate the energy and emissions implications of different cap levels and investment scenarios, as well as potential costs and benefits of different program design options.
January/February 2020 – Gather and consider public input on Draft MOU
Spring 2020 – Jurisdictions release a final Memorandum of Understanding. At this point, each jurisdiction will decide whether to sign the MOU and participate in the regional program.
Spring – Fall 2020 – Participating jurisdictions develop a “model rule” and take any legislative steps that could be needed to implement the regional program.
2021 – Jurisdictions conduct rulemaking process to adopt regulations.
As early as 2022 – Program implementation begins.

In addition to the Framework for a Draft Regional Policy Proposal, TCI jurisdictions made available two supplemental documents:

Summary of Public Input to Date
Also available now is a high-level summary of the extensive input people and organizations have submitted through regional workshops and webinars this year. Since the beginning of this year, TCI jurisdictions have conducted three regional workshops and several webinars, and continue to encourage interested people and organizations to submit input and ideas online. In addition, individual TCI jurisdictions are continuing to offer public workshops and other opportunities for people to participate in the policy development process. The content of the draft regional policy framework has been informed by all the input received so far, and TCI jurisdictions will continue to review and consider additional input as they prepare to release a regional policy proposal later this year.
Program Modeling Update
A range of modeling tools are being used to help inform decisions by TCI jurisdictions regarding the design of a regional cap-and-invest program and to provide a fuller picture of the potential benefits and costs of different program design options. While information about the modeling strategy has been shared with the public during TCI webinars held in May and July of this year, a written description with additional details is now available. READ MORE

In addition, over the next few months, DEC, DOT, and NYSERDA will conduct public meetings in Buffalo, New York City, Long Island, and Ithaca to better understand various perspectives on New York’s potential participation in a regional policy. The agencies will also seek input on alternative or complementary strategies to reduce emissions from transportation. When scheduled, meeting information will be available on the DEC website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/99223.html. Questions can be directed to climateandtransportation@dec.ny.gov.

The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) is a regional collaboration of 12 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia that seeks to improve transportation, develop the clean energy economy and reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. The participating states are: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia.

Since 2010, the TCI jurisdictions have participated in working groups focused on clean vehicles and fuels, including electric vehicle infrastructure planning; sustainable communities; freight efficiency; and other regional approaches to accelerate the transition to a clean and modern low-carbon transportation future.

Ten jurisdictions (not including Pennsylvania, Maine or New Hampshire) signed on to the regional policy statement last December, but all 13 have been actively engaged in the regional policy development process this year.

A final regional low-carbon transportaiton MOU is expected in the Spring of 2020, at which point each of the 13 jurisdictions will decide whether to sign the final MOU and participate in the regional program.

Policy Development Process Timeline

Phase 1 (January-March 2019)

Identify milestones and finalize workplan schedule and processes

Phase 2 (April-July 2019)

Conduct modeling and policy analysis
Conduct further stakeholder engagement
Coordinate activities to inform decision-making

Phase 3 (August-November 2019)

TCI state leadership reviews input from stakeholders and expert analysis to develop specific regional policy options to share with the public, inviting feedback.
October 1, 2019 – Release of framework for a draft regional policy proposal
October/November 2019 – Gather and consider public input on framework

Phase 4 (December 2019 - February 2020)

December 2019 – Release of a regional policy proposal in the form of a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), accompanied by modeling results that estimate the energy and emissions implications of different cap levels and investment scenarios, as well as potential costs and benefits of different program design options.
January/February 2020 – Gather and consider public input on Draft MOU

Phase 5 (Spring 2020)

Jurisdictions release a final Memorandum of Understanding. At this point, each jurisdiction will decide whether to sign the MOU and participate in the regional program.

Phase 6 (Spring - Fall 2020)