Three New England States and Washington, D.C., Sign Landmark Agreement To Tackle Transportation Pollution

Governors from three states along with the mayor of Washington, D.C., signed onto the landmark Transportation and Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P) Monday. The regional program, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, will invest in clean transportation projects, including zero emission electric vehicles, expanded public transit options and walking/biking infrastructure.

While these are the first four to join the initiative, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York and Vermont all signed onto a statement of support, indicating that the program is likely to grow in the coming months. Public enthusiasm for the program is widespread: An overwhelming majority (70 percent) of voters across the region support TCI-P as a means to jumpstart the economy and cut transportation emissions.

Environment America Destination: Zero Carbon Campaign Director Morgan Folger issued the following statement:

"Thank you to the governors of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, and the mayor of Washington, D.C. for leading the way to zero-carbon transportation. Our cars, trucks and buses are the region's largest source of global warming pollution. With this year's record-breaking hurricane season and some of the hottest temperatures on record, it's increasingly clear we need to act fast to stop burning fossil fuels. TCI-P can help provide a better future for our children and grandchildren with better transportation options that rely on clean energy."

U.S. PIRG Environment Campaigns Director Matt Casale issued the following statement:

"With this announcement, we're seeing what climate crisis leadership should look like. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Washington, D.C., are all not only taking an important step in building a better transportation network for the region but also providing a framework for others to follow. TCI-P is a popular and impactful program that will reduce transportation pollution and improve air quality while helping to give people modern, reliable, affordable and clean options to get where they need to go. By shifting our transportation priorities and implementing policies that reduce the need to drive and electrify buses and cars, we can ensure that the easiest, cheapest and most pleasant ways to travel are also the cleanest and healthiest."