Boston: Governor Charlie Baker is abandoning his administration’s ambitious plan to create a multi-state compact aimed at dramatically reducing transportation pollution after it failed to gain traction in other states.
The announcement came after Democratic Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, who backed the initiative, indicated this week he was withdrawing from the Transportation and Climate Initiative. Rhode Island was the only other state that expressed interest in the compact.
Baker followed swiftly on Thursday. Republicans initially expected more than a dozen states to sign.
The Baker-Polito Administration has always maintained that the Commonwealth will only proceed with TCI if multiple states are committed, and, as such, the Transportation Climate Initiative is no longer the best solution for the needs of Commonwealth transport and the environment, Baker Press. Secretary Terry McCormack said in a written statement on Thursday.
Governors of other New England states New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont had expressed skepticism about the program, fearing it would be a gas tax or a tax on carbon.
The proposal was a long-term effort to curb greenhouse gas pollution caused by transportation.
Large gasoline and diesel fuel suppliers would have been required to buy allowances for pollution caused by the use of fuels sold in the region.
According to the plan, the number of emissions allowances would drop each year, creating billions for states to invest in carbon-reducing transportation options, such as public transportation; zero-emissions buses, cars and trucks; electric vehicle charging station; High-speed wireless Internet to allow for telecommunications in rural and low-income areas; road and bridge repairs; and safe bike lanes and sidewalks.
According to Baker, the initiative could generate more than $1.8 billion in Massachusetts by 2032. States participating in the initiative agreed to invest 35% of annual revenue from the program in communities that were deprived of current transportation options and with disproportionately high levels of pollution.
From the outset, however, critics, including business and conservative groups, pointed to potential gas price hikes. If fuel companies passed the cost of perks to consumers, the price of gas in the area could climb from 5 to 17 cents per gallon.
Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance spokesman Paul Diego Cranny welcomed the compact’s collapse.
TCI is a regressive gas tax scheme that would have hurt the middle class and the working poor the most. Cranny said it is such wonderful news to see that Massachusetts families will not be forced to endure the economic hardship imposed by TCI.
Environmental and transportation groups said TCI’s goals are important.
For the Commonwealth as a whole, but especially our environmental justice population that has been most adversely affected by transportation pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing carbon emissions and tailpipe pollution must remain a high priority, for Massachusetts said Josh Ostroff of Transportation, in a press release.
McCormack said the administration is focused on the $10 billion or so the state is ready to receive for transportation under the infrastructure law signed into law by President Joe Biden this week.
The new federal infrastructure funding package, US Rescue Plan investments, as well as the tax revenue surplus generated by Massachusetts’ strong economic recovery make the Commonwealth better position to upgrade its roads, bridges and public transportation systems, while reducing transportation emissions. We also invest for, deliver, equitable transportation solutions and benefits and meet the states’ ambitious climate goals, he said in a press release.
Massachusetts has taken other steps to reduce tailpipe pollution, including setting a goal of 100% zero-emissions passenger vehicle sales by 2035, joining 14 other states with 30% electric vehicle sales for commercial trucks and buses by 2030 and Including an emphasis on 100% by 2050. Electric vehicle is spending $65 million on charging stations.
Baker also signed an executive order setting a goal of 100% zero emissions vehicles in the state’s fleet by 2040.
In New England, transportation is responsible for more than 40% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Disclaimer: This post has been self-published from the agency feed without modification and has not been reviewed by an editor
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