Public Workshops to discuss a proposed regional low-carbon transportation policy

Next Steps for Regional Policy Development by the Transportation and Climate Initiative

Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) states are developing a regional policy for low-carbon transportation following the December 18, 2018, statement by nine states and Washington DC committing to:

“…design a regional low-carbon transportation policy proposal that would cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels through a cap-and-invest program or other pricing mechanism… [and]… to complete the policy development process within one year, after which each jurisdiction will decide whether to adopt and implement the policy.”

TCI jurisdictions have been actively working to develop and implement a workplan that lives up to this commitment.

This workplan was designed with the goal of developing a policy that accelerates the transition to a low-carbon transportation future and delivers a better, cleaner, more resilient transportation system that benefits all our communities, particularly those underserved by current transportation options and overburdened by pollution, while making significant reductions in greenhouse gases and other harmful air pollution across the region.

With ongoing facilitation support from the Georgetown Climate Center, TCI states are planning and beginning to implement a range of activities to ensure that the final proposed policy reflects further input from diverse stakeholders, rigorous technical analysis, and consultation with leading experts.

Upcoming Workshops and Webinars

TCI is planning to host a series of workshops to explore a range of issues that will be central to the design of a proposed regional low-carbon transportation policy. These events will serve as important opportunities for TCI jurisdictions to consult with experts, and businesses, residents, and communities who might inform the policy. In-person workshops will also serve as key opportunities for regional stakeholder engagement and these events will be bolstered by topical webinars and ongoing state outreach to constituents within their respective jurisdictions.

The following TCI workshops are planned thus far for the coming months with additional workshops to be added over the course of the year:

*     Technical Workshop: Regional Cap and Invest for Transportation, Key Design Elements
*     April 30, 2019, Boston Public Library, Boston, MA
*     Fuel Coverage and Compliance
*     Monitoring and Reporting
*     Modeling Strategies and
*     Cost Containment and Program Ambition

*     Workshop and Roundtable Discussion: Transportation Equity, Addressing Concerns and Creating Opportunities for All Communities
*     May 15, 2019, NJII Agile Strategies Lab, Newark, NJ

*     Technical Workshop: Low-Carbon Transportation Investments, Strategies and Outcomes
*     (Date and location to be announced)

2019 TCI Regional Policy Design Overview

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.

Phase 4 (December 2019)

*     Public release of a finalized regional low-carbon transportation policy proposal.

 

Learn more on the Transportation and Climate Initiative website.