How To Align Transportation With The Common Good

Fifteen years ago, a bipartisan group of governors from the Northeast joined with the electric utility industry to figure out a smart, cost-effective way to reduce carbon emissions from power plants. The result was the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which has contributed to a reduction in carbon emissions of 45% across the participating states. Despite claims by RGGI opponents during the program’s design that it would lead to spikes in cost for consumers, the real-world results have been the polar opposite, with households reaping substantial savings. RGGI is that rare policy that has exceeded expectations.

Now the Northeast states are working to replicate the benefits of RGGI in the transportation sector, which is now the largest source of pollution in the region. The bipartisan agreement, called the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program, has already been signed onto by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, Democratic Govs. Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island — now U.S. commerce secretary — and Ned Lamont of Connecticut and Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C.

TCI works in much the same way as RGGI. It requires petroleum importers in participating states to pay a fee based on the level of emissions their fuels create.  TCI proceeds will be used to fund clean transportation options, including modernizing transit, building more electric vehicle charging stations and providing rebates and incentives to people and businesses that purchase electric vehicles. Taken together, these investments mean new jobs, a cleaner and more efficient transportation system and economic growth for our region.