Five Massachusetts-based business organizations are urging Gov. Charlie Baker to effectively address one of the Commonwealth’s most pressing environmental, economic and quality of life issues: transportation.
Ceres joined Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation in a letter to Gov. Baker calling on him to modernize and decarbonize the state’s transportation system.
“Our current infrastructure has a chokehold on our economy and our climate goals,” the letter states. “We feel a real urgency to create the transportation future that enables economic growth and substantial decarbonization. We want to help you get it done.”
Specifically, the organizations expressed strong support for the 18 recommendations developed by the Commission on the Future of Transportation, including support for the Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI), a regional effort to decrease transportation-sector emissions. If properly structured, TCI could simultaneously curb emissions while investing in much-needed public transit systems, alleviating congestion and generating a revenue stream to fund these and future transportation improvements.
“Unsustainable transportation systems and climate change are two of the greatest challenges facing Massachusetts,” said Anne Kelly, vice president of government relations at Ceres. “TCI is an important project that employs a proven, effective policy tool to face both of these challenges. That is why we brought businesses to the table in support of TCI last year and are thrilled to find common ground on the need for a cleaner, less congested transportation system with these leading business organizations.”
The Boston Globe featured the letter in article on June 21.
About Ceres
Ceres is a sustainability nonprofit organization working with the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy. For more information, visit www.ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.