Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack, and Secretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs Katie Theoharides spoke to over 200 senior business executives from a diverse array of industries across Massachusetts about the benefits of the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). The discussion was hosted by Bank of America.
The event was convened by an uncommon alliance of environmental and business groups united by the once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernize and decarbonize the Massachusetts transportation system—The Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Ceres, The Environmental League of Massachusetts, the Boston Green Ribbon Commission, The Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, The Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. These groups believe that, if properly structured, policy created through TCI could: mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from transportation; invest in much-needed public transit; alleviate congestion; and generate a revenue stream to fund these and future transportation improvements.
These groups invited the Baker Administration to educate their business members about the potential for this program to support much-needed infrastructure investment and substantial decarbonization. Transportation is responsible for 40% of MA’s greenhouse gas emissions, making it the single biggest source in Massachusetts. To meet the state’s mandatory greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction requirements, tackling transportation emissions will be critical as this sector’s GHGs continue to rise.
TCI is a regional collaboration of over a dozen Northeast and mid-Atlantic states that would set a declining cap on regional transportation emissions and issue a fee on fuel imports to fund system improvements. The 13 jurisdictions have released a framework for a policy proposal and a draft memorandum of understanding is expected later this month. TCI uses market-based policies that have been proven effective in reducing other environmental pollution problems, such as acid rain, and is modeled on the ongoing success of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). RGGI has produced more than $2.5 billion in while reducing carbon emissions across the participating states by 35 percent. We now have the chance to do the same with transportation. The hosting organizations look forward to continuing these conversations as TCI takes shape and anxiously await the policy proposal that will be released later this month.
“TCI will improve statewide transportation infrastructure and create a new level of regional cooperation to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gases from the largest emissions sector,” said Brooke Thomson, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs at Associated Industries of Massachusetts.
“Improving and modernizing transportation is one of the greatest challenges for the region, and it is one that impacts our economy, environment, and quality of life,” said Mindy Lubber, CEO and President of the sustainability nonprofit organization Ceres. “Major investors and companies are clear in their support of TCI and the need for a cleaner, more electrified transportation system. TCI’s market-based approach to investing in the region’s transportation system will benefit businesses, reduce transportation emissions across the region and keep our communities thriving.”
“Climate change is the single biggest threat to our economy, environment, and public health,” said Elizabeth Turnbull Henry, President of the Environmental League of Massachusetts. “While the federal government continues to roll back environmental protections, it is incumbent on states to lead. TCI would cap the Commonwealth’s largest source of emissions while generating revenue to invest in the equitable, accessible, low-carbon transportation system our region needs to continue to grow and thrive.”
“The Carbon Free Boston Report analysis showed us that two-thirds of Boston's transportation carbon emissions come from people commuting in and out of the city,” said Amy Longsworth, Director of the Boston Green Ribbon Commission. “As a result, Boston citizens are on the receiving end of a problem that mostly does not originate with them. Fixing the problem, and meeting the city's 2050 carbon neutrality goal, therefore must include broader, regional solutions.”
“Business leaders across Massachusetts have identified congestion and access to public transportation as top public policy priorities. Addressing both is an economic imperative and essential to growth, development and job creation,” said JD Chesloff, Executive Director of the MA Business Roundtable. “The Transportation & Climate Initiative provides the dual benefit of creating a funding source to invest in these priorities while limiting the impact of transportation related emissions on climate change.”
"The Transportation Climate Initiative is central to the long-term competitiveness of the region's economy," said Jay Ash, President and CEO of The Massachusetts Competitive Partnership. "By proactively reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing investments in resilient, sustainable and innovative transportation infrastructure, Massachusetts will maintain its position as a global innovation hub continuing to attract the world's best and brightest. We applaud the Baker-Polito Administration's leadership in this regional effort."
“TCI will provide a new source of dedicated funding for additional capital investment in our public transit system,” said Eileen McAnneny, President of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. “By enacting the program on a regional level, we eliminate some of the competitive concerns a tax increase can raise while also amplifying the positive environmental impact that the program will have.”
“Tackling big societal issues – like transitioning to a low-carbon, sustainable economy – requires collaboration among governments, businesses, nonprofits and many other stakeholders,” said Miceal Chamberlain, Massachusetts President of Bank of America. “We are pleased to help advance this conversation and support the effort to reduce the environmental impact of the region’s transportation systems.”
“We look forward to continuing to work with other Eastern states and the District of Columbia to develop a program that will help us build a better, cleaner, more resilient transportation system that ensures the Commonwealth remains a great place to live and grow a business while reducing carbon emissions and air pollution,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Transportation and Climate Initiative has received broad support from members of both the business and environmental communities, and today’s event highlights the opportunity we have in working together to find practical and bipartisan solutions to some of the most important challenges facing Massachusetts and the region.”
“Climate change is not only affecting our environment, but will also have substantial impacts on our economy, so we need to act proactively and collaboratively to ensure the continued success of Massachusetts and the region,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “The Transportation and Climate Initiative provides a cost-effective opportunity to reduce emissions from the transportation sector while modernizing our transportation system, and we look forward to partnering with the business and environmental communities to advance this significant regional initiative.”